Meet our Primary Care & Family Health team
This page is to introduce our Primary Care team.

Cole Zanetti DO
Chief Health Informatics Officer
VA Charleston health care
Dr. Cole Zanetti is a Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Clinical Informatics provider at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: NH Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency - Concord, New Hampshire
Fellowship: Hanover, New Hampshire
Board Certification: Yes
I help centralize the relationship between the care teams and our veterans by effectively partnering with emerging technology and data across our facility. I help with implementation of artificial intelligence and technological advancements to keep the VA at the cutting edge of care.
In my free time I like to go to the beach with my family, go to live music events, rock climb, hike, swim, play basketball and enjoy the food scene in the low country.
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Trevor Schar M.D.
Family Medicine Provider
VA Charleston health care
Dr. Trevor Schar is a Family Medicine provider at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.
Medical School: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Residency: Family Medicine - 60th Medical Group, Travis AFB, CA
Board Certification: Yes
I serve as the Chief of Primary Care for the Ralph H. Johnson VAHCS leading primary care operations across 7 Community Based Outpatient Clinics in South Carolina and Georgia. I have over 20 years of healthcare experience as a Family Medicine physician and physician leader. I completed 24 years of Active Duty service in the Unites States Air Force as a Family Physician, Flight Surgeon, Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Command Surgeon, and Command Surgeon. I joined the VA in 2022 upon retirement from Active Duty service.
In my free time I like to landscape and work on home improvement projects.
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Patricia McLaughlin NP
VA Charleston health care
Patricia McLaughlin is a Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.
Nursing School School: Georgia Southwestern State University
Graduate Nursing School: Albany State University
Board Certification: Yes
My main clinical service is providing Primary Care to veterans in the home-based primary care setting is my main clinical service to veterans at RHJVAMC.
In my free time I'm a volunteer at Gentiva Hospice agency in the Savannah, Georgia. I enjoy sitting with hospice patients and their families. I love traveling the world.
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Joseph Lienert MD
Medical Director, HBPC
VA Charleston health care
Dr. Joseph Lienert is a Primary Care doctor and the Medical Director at HBPC
Medical School: USUHS
Residency: Naval Hospital Jacksonville
My primary clinical service is providing oversight to veteran's enrolled in the Home-Based Primary Care program
In my free time I like to spend time with family and church community. Work on old cars.
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Amy Colby NP
Adult and Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
VA Charleston health care
Amy Colby is a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System
Graduate Nursing School: MGH Institute of Health Professions
Board Certified: Yes - Adult and Geriatric Primary Care
My main clinical service to our Veterans is home based Primary Care.
In my free time I enjoy time with my family and friends, watching my kids play sports and exercising
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Pamela Watson Nurse Practitioner
VA Charleston health care
Pamela Watson is a Family Practice Nurse Practitioner at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System
Nursing School: Angelina College
Board Certified: Yes - Adult and Geriatric Primary Care
I provide home based primary care for veterans with disease processes that prevent them from easily getting out of their home for medical appointments. The care that is provided in their home allows me a unique perspective of what their health care limitations are. I have an opportunity to overcome these obstacles to promote better health by building relationships & supporting not only the patient, but the entire family.
I have a 2 year old grandchild that I adore and spend as much time as possible with. We also have a farm in TN that we visit frequently.
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Erin Gaughran PharmD
Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner
VA Charleston health care
PhD Erin Gaughran is a Pharmacists at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.
Medical School: St. John's University
Residency: Dublin, Georgia
Board Certification: Yes
I am the home-based primary care clinical pharmacy practitioner for the Myrtle Beach outpatient clinic.
In my free time I enjoy competing in agility trials with my dog and doing pet therapy visits at the Myrtle Beach International Airport and our local assisted living facility.
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Yara Salem PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner - Primary Care
VA Charleston health care
PhD Yara Salem is board Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner - Primary Care - at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System
Medical School: MUSC - College of Pharmacy
Residency:PGY1: Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and PGY2: Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center specialize in Geriatrics - PGY1: Phildelphia, PA and PGY2: Cleveland, OH
Board Certification: Yes - Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (BCGP)
My main clinical services to veterans include providing comprehensive medication management with areas specializing in diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and several other disease states commonly addressed with your primary care team. Additionally offer comprehensive visits for the opportunity to deprescribe medications that are no longer indicated. I bring a background of training that is advanced in care of older adults.
I enjoy shopping, trying new restaurants and spending time with my cat, Leo.
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Paul Strange PharmD
Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner
VA Charleston health care
PhD Paul Strange is board certified Pharmasist at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System
Residency: PGY 1 - Ralph H. Johnson VAMC
Fellowship: Surgical Critical Care - Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington
Board Certification: Yes - Ambulatory Care
Dr. Strange attended the Medical University of South Carolina where he received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree. This was then followed by a PGY1 general practice residency at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC here in Charleston. He has worked at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC since completion of Residency in Primary Care for the last 13 years at Myrtle Beach, Trident, and now the North Charleston Clinic CBOC. Dr. Strange provides care in various disease states to include diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, gout, heart failure, and weight loss to name a few. He has a strong interest in obesity medication management and is involved in helping oversee the medications for weight loss for the facility which incorporates teaching/consulting/prescribing.
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Dea Gal Dr.
VA Charleston health care
Dr. Dea Gal is a board certified Pharmacologist at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System
Medical School: MUSC College of Pharmacy
Residency: Asheville VA Medical Center
Board Certification: Yes - Pharmacotherapy
Dr. Dea Gal attended the Medical University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, where she received her Doctorate of Pharmacy followed by a PGY1 ambulatory-care focused residency at the Asheville VA Medical Center. Dr. Gal is currently a Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center at the North Charleston outpatient clinic. She provides pharmacotherapy services for chronic primary care conditions for Veterans.
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Grace Song MD
VA Charleston health care
Dr. Grace Song is board certified family medicine doctor at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Residency: Summa Health/NEOMED-OH - Family Medicine
Board Certification: Yes - Family Medicine
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