Meet Our Team
Dr. Peter Coleman, MD
Dr. Coleman is the Medical Director of Hamilton Family Practice. He grew up in New Zealand and attended medical school there before moving to the USA in 1980 to complete his Family Practice residency in Chapel Hill, NC. Dr. Coleman moved to Richmond in 1988. He has over 20 years experience in Family Practice and is the founder of Hamilton Family Practice.
Dr. Coleman is also the medical director of The Coleman Institute, a nationally recognized, innovative provider of rehabilitation & detox services. Outside of the office, he is kept busy by twin children and a recent decision to learn to play the saxophone.
Joan Shepherd, FNP
Joan joined Hamilton Family Practice in January 2008. She received both her graduate and undergraduate nursing degrees from VCU/MCV. She is certified through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as well as Life Coaching through Dr. Martha Beck’s program. She is a national speaker on topics related to Behavioral Change and the Promotion of Well-Being in Primary Care.
Erin Ritter, Nurse Practioner
Erin Ritter has been a Nurse Practitioner with the Coleman Institute for Addiction Medicine since September 2017. Prior to joining the practice, her nursing experiences included inpatient detox, acute care general medicine, and emergency-trauma. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, a Master’s of Science in Nursing at Xavier University, and a Master’s in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University where she completed her Nurse Practitioner education with a focus on Adult-Gerontology Acute Care. She finds the physical and mental aspects of addiction medicine to be intricate, and she likes working with patients and their support system throughout their journey. Outside of her work life, Erin enjoys spending time with loved ones, exploring Richmond, being active, and running with her dog.
Lauren Debski, Nurse Practioner
Lauren Debski joined the Coleman Institute for Addiction Medicine in May 2019 as a Nurse Practitioner. Lauren previously worked in oncology and in acute care at Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from James Madison University and a Master’s in Nursing from The George Washington University. Lauren completed her Nurse Practitioner education with a focus in family practice. In addition to her medical experience, Lauren is a public speaker on the effects of sexual assault and trauma on an individual’s mental health. She has spoken on many college and university campuses participated in a panel on Capitol Hill, and was a key speaker at a state summit hosted by Michigan’s First Lady. Lauren is extremely passionate about helping others transform their trauma into thriving—not just surviving. Outside of her work life, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband, Ben, and Boston terrier, Mildred.