About Our Team

Our Nurse Practitioners

Melissa L. “Missy” Barnett began her career as a Board Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in 1997 after receiving her Master’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Prior to returning to school, she worked as a Labor and Delivery nurse at NMMC Women’s Hospital from 1992 – 1997. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Alabama.

She is married to Steve Barnett, formerly of Iuka, MS and they currently reside in Booneville with their twin sons, Avery and Alex.

Melissa Barnett, WHNP-BC

JennaGrace Earnest began her career as a board certified Nurse Practitioner in 2013 after receiving her Master’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Prior to returning to school, she worked as a Labor and Delivery nurse at NMMC Women’s Hospital from 2008-2011. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women.

She is from Houston, MS, where she resides with her husband, Robert, and two children, Nash and Louisa. She is an active member of the First United Methodist Church and several local civic organizations. She enjoys spending spare time with her family and traveling.

JennaGrace Earnest, FNP-BC

Chelsea Lyle completed her Master of Science in Nursing degree at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, Mississippi in 2019. Prior to advancing her nursing education, Chelsea worked in various settings including approximately six years with OBGYN Associates while continuing her education. She began her career as a Family Nurse Practitioner by accepting a position in a fellowship program for advanced practice clinicians at NMMC. Following completion of the program, she accepted roles in the long-term and primary care settings in which she gained valuable experience, prior to accepting a position with OBGYN Associates in August 2023. She compares the opportunity to work as a nurse practitioner with OBGYN to returning home and is eager to provide quality women’s healthcare.

Chelsea Lyle, FNP-BC

Casey Hargett is a nurse practitioner certified in adult/geriatric care and women’s health. She has spent the last 7 years at Garfield Clinic in Tupelo, MS as an infectious disease nurse practitioner. Prior to this, she worked as a float RN at NMMC-Women’s Hospital for 10 years. Casey is excited to go back to her roots and use her knowledge and skills to improve the health of women in our region by joining OBGYN Associates. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Corey Hargett for 18 years. They have 4 children, Caden, Callie, Preston, and Jacky. In my free time, she likes to read and spend time with my family.

Casey Hargett, WHNP-BC

Our Doctors

Dr Kellum was born in Tupelo, MS, having been delivered by Dr Walter Bourland, one of the founding members of OBGYN Associates. He received his early education through the Tupelo Public Schools. He went to the University of Mississippi for his undergraduate degree and graduated in 1981. He attended the University of Mississippi Medical School in Jackson, MS and graduated in 1985. He then did his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology through the Greenville Hospital System in Greenville, SC, completing his work there in 1989.

Along the way, he married his wife Joy, a native of Tupelo, MS. They moved back to their hometown in 1989 with their two daughters Tyler and Darby where Dr. Kellum began private practice with OBGYN Associates. Dr Kellum is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and works to maintain that certification on a yearly basis. He has served as president of the Northeast Mississippi Medical Society and chairman of the North Mississippi Medical Center Department of OBGYN.

Dr. Kellum’s family has now expanded to include Tyler’s husband Blake Jeter and Darby’s husband Will Kilpatrick. He is especially proud of his grandchildren, just ask him. Rounding out the family are Graham and Bella, two rescued Golden Retrievers. Dr. Kellum and his wife Joy, a nurse, enjoy working together on medical mission trips to Guatemala. If he’s not at work, on a sunny day you might find him riding his bicycle on the Tanglefoot Trail.

Mark Kellum, MD FACOG

Dr. Young is a native of Pontotoc, MS. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS in 1986. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, MS in 1991. While in medical school, he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society. Dr. Young completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1996 and started his practice at OBGYN Associates in Tupelo, MS that year. He is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Young has a busy obstetrics practice and is also able to assist with basic infertility problems. He is skilled in multiple gynecologic procedures including laparoscopic procedures and da Vinci minimally invasive robotic procedures.

Dr. Young met his wife, Tami, while at Mississippi College and they have four children, Kyle, Kara, Miles and Miller. Dr. Young enjoys spending time with his family, serving with his local church and also enjoys outdoor activities.

Ronny Young, MD, FACOG

Dr. Rachel Ladner grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Auburn University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Ladner attended medical school at The University of Alabama School of Medicine (UAB) in Birmingham, Alabama, where she was elected to the Honor Council and served as Chair. She completed her residency in 2012 in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UAB and served as Administrative Chief Resident. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She joined OBGYN Associates in Tupelo in 2012.

Dr. Ladner is the current OBGYN Section Leader at NMMC Women’s Hospital. She serves on the NMHS HealthLink Credentialing Committee and is on the Board of Directors at S.A.F.E., Inc. (Shelter & Assistance in Family Emergencies—serving domestic violence victims in North Mississippi).

Dr Ladner has a loving husband and five beautiful children. She loves a good DIY project using power tools, enjoys reading and playing tennis, and is a passionate Braves baseball fan. She and her family regularly attend First Methodist Church in New Albany, where she plays in the handbell choir.

Rachel Ladner, MD FACOG

Originally from Amory, Mississippi, Dr. Laura Marion received her medical degree from the University of MS Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. She further completed her training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia. During residency, she received several honors, including Most Outstanding Resident in Obstetrics in Gynecology, and was a finalist with her research entitled, “Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Cord Blood Sampling Using ACOG Guidelines.” While a resident, Dr. Marion was actively involved with ACOG and served as Georgia’s Junior Fellow Chair and Vice-Chair. During that time, she coordinated the Georgia section of District IV’s service project where unused OR supplies were sent overseas for medical missions. She joined OBGYN Associates in 2019 and is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Marion enjoys seeing women of all ages and feels that she can give guidance and be a positive role model to adolescents and young adults. She also enjoys preventative medicine, in-office procedures, and routine, as well as high-risk obstetrical care.

Dr. Marion has many hobbies—whether it be running, painting, spending time with her family, traveling, or volunteering, she loves to stay active and involved. In particular, each year she looks forward to participating in Joy Prom, an annual prom event for special needs individuals in the community.

Laura Marion, MD FACOG

Dr. Gabrielle Alexander is a native of Yazoo City, MS. She attended University of Mississippi for her undergraduate education where she earned a dual degree in Biology and Psychology. She then attended University of Mississippi Medical Center for her medical education and Louisiana State University where she completed her residency in 2022. She enjoys all aspects of obstetric and gynecologic care, with a specific interest in minimally invasive procedures.

In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, crafting, listening to live music, and spending time with family.

Gabrielle Alexander, MD

A native of Brookhaven, Mississippi, Dr. Kathryn Palmer earned her undergraduate degree in Biology Medical Science from Mississippi College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She then earned her medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi. While in medical school, she received numerous prestigious awards and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha, Gold Humanism, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Societies. Dr. Palmer completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and remained on staff as a clinical instructor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UMMC prior to starting practice in Tupelo. Dr. Palmer enjoys caring for women of all ages but has a special interest in routine as well as high-risk obstetrical care. She is passionate about women’s health and the relationships she can build with her patients through this ministry. She is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care to the women of Tupelo and the surrounding communities. She and her husband have two precious sons. In her spare time, Dr. Palmer enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and serving others locally and abroad.

Kathryn Palmer, MD