Our practice was previously named Lancaster & Wilmanski, M.D., P.C. In November of 1998 our name was changed to Associated Internal Medicine Specialists, P.C. This name was chosen to reflect the integration of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Internal Medicine

Charles J. Wilmanski, M.D. received his Doctor of Medicine from Wayne State University in 1984 and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Michigan in 1987. Dr. Wilmanski is board certified in Internal Medicine. He joined the practice in 1987 and became its president in 1989.
Benjamin D. Smith, D.O. received his Doctor of Medicine from Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1977 and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas in 1984. He was certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine in 1997 and joined the practice in 1993 and became a partner in 1998.
Jocelyn M. Pouliot, M.D. received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan in 1983 and completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit in 1987. Dr. Pouliot is board certified in Internal Medicine and practiced general Internal Medicine at Henry Ford Hospital and also in Albion, Michigan for nine years before coming to Battle Creek. She joined the practice in 2001 and became a partner in 2003.
Daniela Renkiewicz, M.D. received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu-Mures, Romania in 1993 and completed her Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Pennsylvania Health System in 2001.  Dr. Renkiewicz is board certified in Internal Medicine and practiced general Internal Medicine in Pennsylvania before coming to Battle Creek.  She joined the practice in 2006. Dr. Renkiewicz speaks English, Romanian and German.
Susan Smith, A.N.P received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Valley State College in Allendale, Michigan in 1986 and her Masters of Science in Nursing from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan in 1997. She joined AIMS in 1997 as an Adult Nurse Practitioner.

Rheumatology

Robert W. Shurmur, D.O. received his Doctor of Medicine from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1996. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Cleveland Clinic and received his training in Rheumatology in 2002. Dr. Shurmur is board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. He joined the practice in 2002 and became a Partner in 2005.
Lakshmi P. Kocharla, M.D. received her Doctor of Medicine from Guntur Medical College in Guntur A.P., India in 2000 and completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Michigan State University in 2006. She completed her Fellowship in Rheumatology at the University of Cincinnati in July 2008 and is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. She joined the practice in October 2008.
Antonio P. Giannelli, P.A.C. graduated from Southern Connecticut State College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1974. He received his Bachelor in Medicine from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1977. He also received a Masters in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University in 1987. He is a clinical instructor through the Department of Internal Medicine at Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has a broad range of medical experience including family practice, medical administration, urology, and ten years in rheumatology and arthritis research. He joined our practice in 2000 as a Rheumatology Physician Assistant.
Julia M. Hoekstra, P.A.C. graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and minor in Chemistry in 2008. She received a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant studies in 2011. She joined the practice in May of 2011 as a Rheumatology and Internal Medicine Physician Assistant.

Our Physicians work as a team with our Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioner, also known as mid-level providers. Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners are health care professionals, trained in intensive education programs and licensed to practice medicine. They conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery and write prescriptions. They are recognized and reimbursed by all insurance companies. Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners are found in all areas of medicine today. Their education is ongoing after graduation through continuing medical education requirements and continual interaction with physicians and other health care providers. Once you have had an opportunity to visit with them, we are certain you will know why they are considered a very valuable asset at AIMS.