Our Providers

Meet Our Team of Dedicated Healthcare Professionals

Advancing Healthcare Through Provider-Driven Solutions

At Bethesda Medical Clinic, our committed healthcare professionals consist of Board-Certified Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Registered Nurses, all dedicated to prioritizing your health and well-being. Learn more about our doctors and mid-level providers. Should you have any questions or need additional information about our providers, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Our Values

A provider-led health care approach

Compassionate and friendly environment

Responsive patient communication

Clear and honest medical integrity

Meet Our Providers

Shibu Varughese, MD
Primary Care / Hematology / Oncology

Meet Shibu

Dr. Shibu Varughese graduated from St. John's University in 1995 with a Baccalaureate in Pharmacy, cum laude. He then went on to pursue his Medical Degree at the Ross University School of Medicine and graduated with high honors in 2006. Following that he did his Post Graduate internship & residency in Internal Medicine and Post Doctorate in Geriatric Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Weston, Florida. He joined Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans in 2010 and completed Postdoctoral Fellowship in Hematology-Oncology. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Palliative Medicine, and Oncology. Currently, he has membership in multiple medical societies including American Medical Association (AMA), American College of Physicians (ACP), American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO),and American Society of Hematologists (ASH).

Amy Varughese, MD
Endocrinologist

Meet Amy

Dr. Amy Varughese graduated from Government College of Homeopathic Medicine, India in 1999 and went on to pursue further medical education. She graduated from Ross University School of Medicine with high honors in 2007. She completed her internship and residency training in Internal Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, Weston, Florida in 2010, and went on to complete a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. She is a member of American Diabetes Association, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association (AMA), and Endocrine Society,

Larry Thirstrup, MD

Meet Larry

Dr. Larry Thirstrup earned his BS-MD from Louisiana State University in Shreveport in 1993. He completed his first residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, finishing in 1997. Later he pursued a second residency in Internal Medicine at LSU Health Sciences Center in 2015. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Pain Medicine, and board-eligible in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Thirstrup brings specialized training in the dual diagnosis of addiction and psychiatry. With seven years of experience as a medical officer for a major airline, he performed pre-hire physicals for pilots and worked with injured employees. His passion for aviation and human performance factors, particularly Crew Resource Management (CRM), informs his holistic approach to care. Dr. Thirstrup also contributed to the 3rd edition of Elaine Jong’s Textbook of Travel and Tropical Medicine with a chapter on aviation and passenger acceptance issues. Fluent in Spanish and licensed in both Louisiana and the U.S. Virgin Islands, he is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care at Bethesda Medical Clinic.

Sushma Rawat, NP

Meet Sushma

Sushma Rawat, MSN, FNP-BC, is a dedicated healthcare professional certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. With over a decade of experience,she has been providing compassionate care at Bethesda Medical Clinic since 2023. Her journey in healthcare began with her BSN from Grand Canyon University, followed by her Master's degree in Family Nurse Practitioner from Herzing University in 2021. Prior to her current role, she worked at Tulane Medical Center’s Bone Marrow Transplant Unit as a Registered Nurse from 2007 to 2023. Known for her top-notch clinical abilities and unwavering dedication to patient well-being, she is an invaluable asset to the healthcare team at Bethesda Medical Clinic.

Jo-Ann Norman,
MSN, APNP-BC

Meet Jo-Ann

Jo-Ann Norman, MSN, APNP-BC, is a highly experienced and board-certified Nurse Practitioner. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Walla Walla College in December 1993, followed by a Master of Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Southern University in December 2000. Certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, she holds additional certifications in diabetes, family planning, child development education, Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and HIV Education. She has extensive experience in hospice care, adult care, cardiology, ICU/CICU, emergency room care, and public health. Since 2022, she has been working as an inpatient Nurse Practitioner at West Jefferson Medical Center with Dr Shibu Varughese. Her broad expertise and unwavering dedication to patient care make her an invaluable asset to Bethesda Medical Clinic.

Alexander Le, RN

Meet Alexander

Alexander Le, RN, obtained his Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Delgado Community College in 2007, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in 2011, showcasing his commitment to continuous education and professional growth. He accrued extensive experience in various nursing capacities during his tenure as a Registered Nurse at West Jefferson Medical Center, from 2008 to 2020. Since 2022, He has served as a dedicated Chemo Certified, Oncology Clinic Nurse at Bethesda Medical Clinic. His unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care has established him as the cornerstone of Bethesda’s Infusion Center.

"Your Health Is Our Priority"

Get In Touch!

(504) 265-8304

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