Meet the Team

While our practice might seem large, we keep your care personal.

Meet the Doctors

Tom Searle, MD

Dr. Searle brings his international experience to OBGYN Associates. He was born in Belize, was educated in the United Kingdom, and is a graduate of Aberdeen University in Scotland. Personalized care plans are a huge part of the culture of care he provides. In addition to general obstetrics and gynecology, he is an expert laparoscopic surgeon, with special interests in all aspects of women’s health. Humor and compassion are hallmarks of his personality.

Laila Needham, MD

Dr. Needham knew at an early age she wanted to become an OBGYN. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Reims in France and graduated from University Medical School of King Hassan II in Casablanca. She completed a residency at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, started her private practice in Palatka and St. Augustine in 2009, and joined OBGYN Associates in 2014. In her spare time, she enjoys boating, fishing, and watching basketball games.

Karen Toppi, MD

Dr. Toppi is a board-certified OBGYN who has been practicing in Palm Coast, since 2004. She received her medical degree at Chicago Medical School and earned a Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta Georgia in Advanced Pelvic Surgery. She is well known for her compassionate care for her patients and was just named Top Doc of the Volusia/Flagler Counties by the New Journal. In her spare time, she enjoys being on the water with her paddle board or kayak, and she recently started the nonprofit organization, Hope to Help Foundation.

Rachel Kaplan, DO

Dr. Rachel Kaplan is new to the practice and delighted to be working with OBGYN Associates. Dr. Kaplan graduated from college and medical school in the blue grass state of Kentucky. While completing her residency in the Detroit area, Dr. Kaplan enjoyed being chief resident and worked to cultivate a productive learning environment for her residents. After her residency, Dr. Kaplan returned to her hometown of Wilmington, Ohio, where she worked in a private practice for five years. She developed a passion and enthusiasm for all aspects of obstetrics and gynecology. She loved serving the community where she was raised, but after several cold winters, she and her family decided to move south. Dr. Kaplan enjoys spending time with her husband and two small children. She enjoys exercising, the ocean, and getting to know her new home in St. Augustine.

Majdouline Asher, MD

Dr. Asher graduated college from Tulane University in New Orleans with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. She worked two years in the biomedical field before pursuing her medical education at the University of Mississippi. Following her time at the University of Mississippi, she completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her goal is to provide evidence-based medicine with patient-centered care, and to help patients make educated decisions about their gynecologic health. Her area of interest includes the full spectrum of OBGYN care; from adolescence to adulthood, Dr. Asher helps women navigate puberty, family planning, pregnancy, and menopause. She also has a special interest in minimally invasive surgery, including robotic surgery. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two teenage daughters. She loves animals, especially dogs. She enjoys traveling, watching old movies with her family, and exploring Florida’s beaches.

Meet the Practitioners

Elizabeth Arnett, APRN, CNM

Elizabeth grew up and lived in Saginaw, Michigan until she graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with her BSN degree. She then went on a search for warmer weather and moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where she worked in the ICU and was a Labor and Delivery Nurse at Duke University Medical Center. Elizabeth knew her passion was caring for women during their pregnancy, so she went back to school at Frontier Nursing University, where she graduated with her MSN degree and became a certified nurse-midwife. Elizabeth moved to St. Augustine with her husband before she started her clinical training with OBGYN Associates. After graduation, she was hired to join the practice as a Nurse-Midwife. In 2016, she started her own family by giving birth to a daughter, Charleston and son, Sheppard. Being able to experience first-hand what pregnancy and midwifery was all about was a wonderful achievement. When Elizabeth is not working in the office or attending births, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and boating. Elizabeth is very excited to continue her career in our community, caring for women.

Alicia Jowers, APRN, CNM

Alicia Jowers was born in North Carolina, but considers herself a Florida local, as she has lived here since the age of four. As a graduate of Nease High School, Alicia has always called St. Augustine home. After graduating from nursing school in Jacksonville, Alicia worked in multiple fields of nursing including ICU, cardiac care, and labor and delivery. Even as she gained experience in other aspects of care, Alicia knew women’s health care was where her heart belonged. Since the birth of her first child, Alicia has had a passion for caring for women and supporting patients in shared decision making. In 2017, Alicia completed her midwifery training with OBGYN Associates and graduated from Frontier Nursing University. Alicia is thrilled to be able to provide care to the women and families in her hometown. Alicia is a wife and a mother of two young adults. When not working, Alicia likes to travel and is an avid football fan.

Elizabeth Meadows, APRN, CNM

Elizabeth has spent her entire career taking care of women. One of her first rotations in nursing school was in labor and delivery, and she was hooked! Elizabeth went straight into obstetrical nursing after graduation. After a few years, she decided to continue her education and returned to school at Frontier Nursing University. In 2003, she graduated with a Masters in Nursing and became a Certified Nurse Midwife. She knew she was going to love “catching” babies, but she was pleasantly surprised at how much she also enjoyed the office and gynecological care aspect of midwifery; both offer great opportunities for education. Teaching women how to obtain their best possible health is very rewarding to Elizabeth. She has a special interest in adolescent gynecology and loves the chance to help young women embark on the healthiest path possible. Elizabeth is a native of the Atlanta area. She and her family moved to St. Augustine in 2010 when CSX Railroad transferred her husband to a position in their corporate office. They jumped at the chance to move to Florida and once in Florida, they realized how lucky they were to live in such a great community. St. Augustine has become home for Elizabeth and her family. Elizabeth has three grown children and will be welcoming her first granddaughter soon. She and her husband enjoy boating, fishing, traveling, and cheering for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Susan Chappuis, APRN, CNM

Sue grew up in Ormond Beach and is a graduate of Florida State University. She received her MS from Drexel University with an APRN certification. With a wealth of experience in gynecology and obstetrics, including fifteen years as a labor and delivery nurse and ten years working in a very busy OBGYN office, she provides thorough, comprehensive care to our patients in the Palm Coast area. Sue has been married for 30 years and she has three grown sons. Her hobbies include kayaking, cooking, repurposing furniture, home decorating, and pottery.

Meet the Leadership Team

Jacqueline Hall

Practice Administrator

Tracy McClain

Billing Manager

Tammy Santos

Clinical Supervisor

Charlotte Sweat

Front Desk Lead

Sabrena Lonergan

Front Desk Lead