Alyssa Smith, MD - Beacon Medical Group Behavioral Health South Bend

Meet Dr. Virgil DiBiase. The son of Italian immigrants who came to the US in the 1950s, he is a first-generation college graduate and the first in his family go on to medical school. Inspired by his second-year college professor – a biochemist – Dr...

For Dr. James Kozelka, it was his love of biology that drove him toward a career in medicine. “Prior to medical school I was a physiology graduate student,” he explains. “My research interest was focused on the nervous system...

Dr. Julie Coyle knows the importance of teamwork and collaboration. As one of 10 kids, she was raised in an atmosphere that thrived on this. Additionally, when she was a McDonald’s manager, she quickly learned the value of teamwork and leadership skills. She transferred those skills when she went back to school for medicine. Having seen mental illness in several people she was close with, she felt called to make a difference in the lives of those dealing with unseen pain. “The best part of my job is interacting with patients,” Dr. Coyle said. “I journey with them the whole way through. I love seeing the progression, and seeing how hard they worked to heal.” After a patient has left the office, Dr. Coyle hopes that patients know that she listens well, is compassionate and empathetic, and up to date on the latest treatment. Outside of work, she loves reading, watching movies or watching basketball.