Meet the team

Eric Mcdougle, physician assistant, owner

Eric McDougle, co-owner of St. Pete Direct Primary Care, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for patient-centered care to our practice.

Originally from West Virginia, Eric earned his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from West Virginia University. His commitment to medicine then took him to Fort Lauderdale, where he completed his Master’s degree in Medical Sciences at Nova Southeastern University.

With a background spanning family medicine, urgent care, sports medicine, and orthopedic surgery, Eric brings a comprehensive approach to primary care. He co-founded St. Pete Direct Primary Care to provide accessible, personalized healthcare that empowers patients to take charge of their health.

Outside of work, Eric is an avid kiteboarder and road cyclist, taking full advantage of St. Pete’s beautiful surroundings. He and his wife live in the Old Southeast with their children Jack (born 2022) and Lola (born 2020), embracing the vibrant community they call home. Having lived in St. Pete for over 12 years, Eric is dedicated to giving back to the place he and his family love.

TANNELLE MCDOUGLE, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Tannelle McDougle, PA-C, was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Nutritional and Food Sciences and a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Florida. Following her graduation, Tannelle spent over a decade practicing emergency medicine, gaining extensive experience in acute and urgent care.

Since moving to St. Petersburg in 2013, Tannelle has fully embraced the local community and its vibrant culture. She co-founded St. Pete Direct Primary Care alongside her husband, Eric McDougle, with a mission to make high-quality, accessible healthcare a cornerstone of the community. Initially focusing on managing the clinic’s operations. She discovered a deep passion for preventive and primary care while ensuring patients received a welcoming and seamless experience.

Today, Tannelle is dedicated to helping patients lead healthier, more balanced lives. She specializes in weight management, women’s health, hormone therapy, and lifestyle medicine, providing personalized, compassionate care that empowers patients to achieve their wellness goals.

CLAUDIA BEATTIE, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Claudia Beattie, PA-C, brings over a decade of diverse clinical experience to St. Pete Direct Primary Care, with six years in family medicine followed by six years specializing in endocrinology.

Born in New York, Claudia moved to Saint Petersburg in 2005 to pursue her Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry at Eckerd College. Her dedication to science and patient care led her to further her education at Nova Southeastern University, where she earned a Master’s degree in Medical Science in 2013.

Claudia’s unique background in both family medicine and endocrinology allows her to provide comprehensive, personalized care to each patient. She is passionate about helping her patients achieve optimal health through a holistic, proactive approach, whether addressing everyday health concerns or managing complex, chronic conditions.

Outside of the clinic, Claudia cherishes her time with her two young children, Myla (born in 2020) and Mac (born in 2022), both born at home. She loves exploring the St. Pete community she’s called home for nearly two decades and is thrilled to be part of a practice that prioritizes patient-centered care and values its connection to the local community.

JEN MCCARRICK, OFFICE MANAGER

Hi, my name is Jen and I am the office manager here at St. Pete Direct Primary Care. I graduated from State College of Florida in 2016 from the physical therapist assistant program.

Since then, I have gained experience in orthopedics, vestibular, geriatric, and neurological rehab. My favorite of all the areas I have worked in is sports medicine. After years of being on the clinical side of care, I found my true love in healthcare with the practice management aspect.

I recently moved to Tampa with my husband after living in Bradenton my whole life and I love it! In my free time, you will find me at a music festival, horror movie/comic conventions or at Bucee’s.

DR. BRETT LEVINE, D.O., MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Brett Levine is a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician. He graduated with a degree in Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University, and completed his internship in Family Medicine at Largo Medical Center. Dr. Levine completed his undergraduate degree at the George Washington University, in Washington, D.C. After residency, Dr. Levine gained invaluable experience while practicing in Clearwater, Florida at a small, privately-owned clinic, and numerous inpatient rehab facilities, and nursing homes. Dr. Levine resides in St. Petersburg, Florida with his wife and two cats. He is the owner of LevMed Health DPC.

BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION THROUGH DPC

During my years of practicing as a physician assistant, I have seen the quality of health care in the United States worsen. Health care facilities are being bought by corporations who focus on profit. Insurance companies are charging patients more money for less coverage and reimbursing health care providers less for their services. Providers are now required to see more patients in a shorter amount of time. It can take weeks to see your primary care provider or months to establish as a new patient. When the appointment finally happens, it seems rushed as the providers are overworked and stressed about volume overload.

I experienced this first hand working in busy urgent cares. Patients were often coming to see me at the urgent care because their primary care provider’s schedule was too busy or they were unable to establish with a primary. I was left trying to squeeze a 30-45 minute appointment into ten minutes. Often, I found myself coming home frustrated that I did not have the time to give my patients the care they needed and deserved. Last winter, as the patient load was over sixty per day, I thought to myself, “there has to be a better way.” Then, I discovered direct primary care.

Direct primary care is part of the solution for the broken U.S. health care model. Each provider has 300-500 patients. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars a month for insurance you can hardly use, every DPC member pays a small monthly fee directly to the provider. This allows the provider to decrease the volume of patients seen per day, thus ensuring access to the provider’s services with availability for longer appointments, which leads to higher quality of care.