Access Family Medicine Staff
Dr. Chelsea Ray, MD
Dr. Chelsea Ray, MD, is the founder and owner of Access Family Medicine. She is known across the Upper Peninsula for her compassion, whole-body, and straightforward approach to healthcare. She is also known for her love of peanut butter.
Ray, a Detroit native, completed her pre-med education at the University of Michigan and her doctorate at Saint George University. She has been a practicing medical doctor for twelve years and permanently relocated to the Upper Peninsula after falling in love with the area.
When Ray is not in the office, she loves spending time and going on adventures with her four daughters. She also enjoys mountain biking, weight training, and cooking. In the winter, you can find Ray cross-country skiing.
Chelsea Texter, NP-C
Chelsea Texter, NP-C, is the nurse practitioner of Access Family Medicine and its resident salad expert. A Negaunee native, Texter graduated from Northern Michigan University with both her bachelor's and master’s degrees. She has been practicing medicine for 22 years and started in-home care as a teenager.
Texter was asked why she chose to practice medicine, and she replied with a debonair tone, “I truly love making people feel better and empowering them to take control of their health and happiness.” Patients can hear Texter’s laugh ring through the halls, demonstrating she practices what she preaches. “To live a healthy life, one must eat whole foods, walk daily, and laugh often.”
When not at the office, Texter has her nose in a book and her feet in the sand somewhere on a beach admiring Lake Superior. Texter also loves cooking wholesome meals for the ones she loves and going on long hikes.
Paula Ackerman MS, RD, CDCES
Everyone knows Paula Ackerman, a Munising native and a graduate of Central Michigan University and Rush University. She is AFM’s diabetes educator and dietitian. You will see Ackerman buzzing around the office, greeting, rooming, and educating people. Ackerman has been practicing medicine since 1993. She discovered her love of diabetes education while working at a children’s camp in college.
When asked for the best advice for a healthy lifestyle, Ackerman said, “Eat well, be active, and get enough sleep.” Following this, with no hesitation, Ackerman said, “I love helping people help themselves.” If you have ever been an Ackerman client, you know this is true.
In her free time, Ackerman enjoys pickleball, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Madelynn Lancour
If you have come into the clinic, you have met Madelynn or Maddie. Maddie is the front desk staff member at Access Family Medicine. When you call AFM, there is a great chance you’ll be speaking with her. Lancour, an Upper Peninsula native, enjoys meeting people and helping others reach their goals to the best of her abilities. This is why she is a perfect fit with Access Family Medicine.
Lancour loves the outdoors, especially pontooning on Lake Superior during the warmer months, but is also keen to escape to Copper Harbor. Lancour is also a photographer and an artist. Lancour is the photographer who took the portraits on this page. Check out her work!
Sydney Norton, BS
You might have seen Sydney walking around the office; she is always turning off the lights in a room that is not in use. Norton is the office manager at Access Family Medicine. She is a Michigan native from Detroit, Mich. Norton graduated from Northern Michigan University.
When asked why patients should pick Access Family Medicine as their primary care provider, Norton replied, “AFM is unique. The providers get to know you on a personal level. You are more than a number here, and I love that.”
When not at work, Norton loves camping with her dogs, hiking in the forest, and swimming in Lake Superior. During the winter months, you can find her cross-country skiing.