Who We Are
Our Clinic
Our Name
The word “züp” is Yiddish for “soup.” (Hint: “Züp” rhymes with “cook”) When Lloyd was growing up, his Aunt Sally was a New York dietician who would wag a finger and remind him that “Züp is the most powerful medicine on Earth!” That’s what we try to do: find your best “powerful medicine” and deliver it promptly, efficiently, and with an unmatched commitment to great service!
We like to describe ZüpMed as “intentionally different.” We believe that offering medical care works even better in the presence of trust, mutual respect, and care. We enjoy the fact that we get to know our patients, and we encourage regular visits, easy communication, and continuity of care so that we can help our members live their healthiest lives.
The Experience
We want you to feel better the moment you enter our clinic. There is no waiting room, because your appointment time reserves your exam room, right on time! A healthcare concierge will greet you and take you back to your beautifully appointed exam room with comfortable zero-gravity recliners, or a peaceful, quiet space if you are experiencing a migraine, dehydration or sick tummy. A fully equipped treatment and minor surgery suite is available with X-ray for urgent care needs. We also have an in-house dispensary stocked with common prescription medications and a convenient retail section with over-the-counter medicines, traditional remedies, supplements, and sundries. No need to go to the pharmacy after you’re seen. We have it all for you as a one-stop shop. Whether you are a member or experiencing our on-demand concierge medical care as a non-membered guest, we are here to serve you and your unique medical needs.
Our Staff

Shannon W. Finks, Pharm.D.
President and Director of Pharmacy Services
A Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Tennessee, Shannon holds multiple Board certifications, is an internationally recognized lecturer, and is widely published in medical literature. We’re especially proud, though, of her many teaching and service awards.
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A. “Lloyd” Finks, M.D.
Senior Physician and Director of Operations
Lloyd served with Methodist Healthcare for over 20 years, most recently as the Medical Director for Methodist Hospice and the Minor Medical Center. His training included time spent with the National Health Service in London, England as well as coursework in hospitality management at Cornell School of Hotel Administration. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine.
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Michelle Sands, M.D.
Physician

Alex Carmon, Pharm.D.
Pharmacist

Katherine Ray
Nurse Practitioner

Liz Lemley
Nurse Practitioner

Laura Smith
Clinic Administrator and Member Services Specialist

Sara Saunders
Manager of Lab and X-ray Services, Medical Assistant

Victoria Coates
Radiologic Technologist and Medical Assistant

Lizzie McCarty
Concierge and Traveler's Health Services Manager

Francesca Bengert
Concierge and RN Intern

Brinkley
Concierge

Susan Macchiarella
Concierge

Ami Okasinski
Bookkeeper

Koda
Chief Executive Pawcifer
Shannon W. Finks
Pharm.D., President and Director of Pharmacy Services
Our academic standard-bearer, Shannon is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy here in Memphis. After earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 1998, she completed a pharmacy practice residency at Methodist Hospitals of Memphis (where she and Lloyd met) and, for the next two decades, practiced and taught in private hospitals, Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals, and academic institutions.
Shannon is Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) and Cardiology (BCCP), is a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and is recognized nationally and internationally as an expert in the field of cardiovascular drug therapy. Accordingly, Shannon is one of only a handful of pharmacists to attain the status of a Certified Hypertension Clinician by the American Hypertension Society Clinical Program (AHSCP-CHC). She is also an experienced American Heart Association instructor for both Basic Life Support (BLS) and for Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
Shannon has delivered over 150 invited lectures to audiences around the world and continues to teach pharmacy topics both online and in person. Over the years, she has received a number of prestigious teaching awards, including the Most Influential Professor Award from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, the University of Tennessee Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher Award, and the SGAEC Excellence in Teaching Award. She has also authored over 40 peer-reviewed papers for prestigious medical and pharmacy publications such as the New England Journal of Medicine.
We are proud that, in addition to providing pharmacy consultation and oversight, Shannon is the President of Züp Medical Services, LLC.
A. “Lloyd” Finks, M.D.
Senior Physician and Director of Operations
From nursing home administrator to radio talk show host, fishing boat captain to public relations director for the Special Olympics, Lloyd traveled the world and enjoyed a broad range of work and experiences before finding his life’s calling and beginning the study of medicine at the “ripe old age” of 32. Ten years later, after graduating from St. George’s University School of Medicine, he moved to Memphis and completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Methodist University Hospital (formerly Methodist Central Hospital). By the time he finished, Lloyd had found Shannon, and together they chose the unique beauty and flavors of Memphis as their new home. Lloyd was offered a faculty position to teach clinical medicine at Methodist. He and four others then formed Methodist’s first inpatient “Hospitalist” division in 2004, and he remained as a Senior Hospitalist Partner until 2016, when he was appointed as the Divisional Medical Director for Methodist Affiliated Services. While there he was responsible for the clinical operations of the Methodist Minor Meds, Home Care, and Hospice.
Lloyd is an Eagle Scout, a licensed private pilot, and a former Coast Guard-licensed charter boat captain. These days, though, he mostly enjoys his off hours sailing the family’s vintage Cape Cod catboat “Fiddle” and fly-fishing from their 22’ bay boat “Shannonigans”. He has received the Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare Power of One Miracle Award, the SGAEC Excellence in Teaching Award for Clinical Medicine from the University of Tennessee and has twice been honored with the University of Tennessee College of Medicine MSEC’s Golden Apple award. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine.
Lloyd serves as our practicing Medical Director as well as the Chief Operating Officer for ZüpMed.

Laura Smith
Clinic Administrator and Member Services Specialist
Laura Smith is our Clinic Administrator and Member Services Specialist. After growing up in Memphis and graduating from St. Benedict, Laura’s spirited personality led her to Grand Tetons when she was just 20 years old. After a few years doing everything from supervising lodging to wilderness guiding, she relocated to Athens, Georgia, where she worked in a vet clinic and rehabilitated wounded wildlife, saved puppies, and helped pet owners for ten years. Memphis then called Laura back home, and she now lives in Cooper-Young with her two daughters, Lucy and Eleanor.

Alex Carmon
Pharm. D
Meet Dr. Alex Carmon, ZüpMed’s first resident!
After earning a doctorate from University of Tennessee Health Science Center at just 24 years old, Alex was hired on by Dr. Shannon Finks, who also serves as faculty at UTHSC. In addition to her extensive education in medication management, Alex’s post-doctorate training and research has focused heavily on genetic interpretation and mental health. Her expertise in these areas has made her a valuable addition to our patient care team.
Alex says, “[ZüpMed] is different from any place I have worked, not only because I am encouraged to pursue my passion for personalized medicine, but more importantly, patients truly receive the best comprehensive care. This is made possible when the pharmacist’s unique clinical knowledge is fully utilized with comprehensive medication management – ensuring maximum safety and efficacy of any medicine.”

Michelle Sands, M.D.
Physician
A native Floridian, Michelle Sands made the move to Tennessee in 1985 to attend Vanderbilt University. After graduating with a B.A. in Biology and in Art History, she attended the University of Tennessee Medical School, from which she graduated Summa cum laude in 1993. Dr. Sands spent a year studying Obstetrics and Gynecology and then completed an Internal Medicine residency at Methodist Hospital in Memphis in 1997. She has previously worked at the University of Memphis and the Rhodes College student health centers. For the past 15 years, she has practiced and served as an Assistant Professor of Medicine for the University of Tennessee at the Methodist University Specialty Clinic. Dr. Sands is Board certified in Internal Medicine and a member of the American College of Physicians and the A.O.A. Medical honor society.
She has been married to her best friend Chris Sands M.D. for 32 years and enjoys free time with her husband and her two children, Emma and Russell. Her hobbies include painting, walking, and doll collecting. We are thrilled to have Dr. Sands bring her primary care, woman’s health, and adolescent medicine expertise to ZüpMed.

Lizzie McCarty
Concierge and Traveler's Health Services Manager
Lizzie is in charge of Travelers Health Services at the Memphis International Airport.
She grew up in Memphis but has been lived in the rocky mountains for the 18 years. She also has a background in hospitality. Lizzie loves the outdoors , especially kayaking, camping, hiking with her dog, and riding her bike.
She says, “I love ZüpMed because it’s a family of the most wonderful people that truly care for each other, the community and every person that walks through the door!”

Susan Macchiarella
Concierge
Susan helped develop our concept of the ZüpMed Concierge after a lifetime of experience in health, fitness, beauty, and hospitality. She has modeled, operated her own health club, and managed a very successful high-end aesthetics spa. She’s a fan of pilates, cooks gourmet meals, and volunteers at Ronald McDonald House. If you have questions about skin health and looking younger, ask Susan!

Francesca Bengert
Concierge and RN Intern
ZüpMed Concierge Anna Francesca Lara Bengert earned an undergraduate degree from University of Tennessee Knoxville and spent the next ten years trading stock futures in Chicago. Only after returning to Memphis with her husband and three children has she also been able to circle back to a lifelong interest in healthcare. Fran has added nursing school to her busy and productive life, and she speaks Spanish! ¡Muy bien!

Sara Saunders
RT(R), Manager of Lab and X-ray Services, Medical Assistant
Graduating from Memphis Harding Academy and continuing on to earn a BA in Communications, Sara worked for over ten years at the legendary Memphis music distribution company Select-O-Hits before changing course and training as a full-scope Radiologic Technologist. Here at ZüpMed, she is our Manager of Lab and X-ray Services, a walking encyclopedia of Stephen King novels, and a dedicated connoisseur of “Little Debbie” pastries.

Victoria Coates
RT(R), Radiologic Technologist and Medical Assistant
A native Memphian and former photographers’ model, “Tori” worked her way through school by waitressing at a popular steakhouse to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Southwest Community College with a degree in Radiologic Technology. We were thrilled that she chose to join us here at ZüpMed as our Lead Tech, and we’re amazed every day at her versatility, skills, and commitment to patients. If you have a vein, Tori can find it!

Liz Lemley
Nurse Practitioner
With a pedigree that includes Hutchison School, University of Tennessee Knoxville, and The University of Memphis, ZüpMed’s “do-it-all” Family Nurse Practitioner is “100% Memphis and 100% Tennessee”. As an RN, Liz helped open the new LeBonheur Children’s Hospital and later moved to Methodist University Hospital to care for adults in the orthopedic and stroke units. Since earning her Master of Science in Nursing in 2015, Liz has worked in a health and wellness clinic and is now our expert in preparing and administering boutique IV infusions.

Katherine Ray
Nurse Practitioner
Katherine Ray grew up in Memphis, attended Hutchison School, and then went to the University of Tennessee Knoxville where she earned a BS in Microbiology and minored in Spanish. She then returned to Memphis to receive a masters and a doctorate degree in Nursing from University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). For the past six years, K-Ray has worked at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in the pediatric ICU. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga and baking.

Ami Okasinski
Bookkeeper
Our delightfully quirky bookkeeper came to us after answering an ad on NextDoor, and that was truly our good fortune! A self-described “creature of the sun”, Ami spent several of the last few years hiking around the southwest and “falling in love with the desert”. She still enjoys her outdoor time and has recently taken up paddle boarding. Say hello if you see her out at Shelby Farms! Ami’s background is in biology and dietetics, but she loves numbers and puzzles, so bookkeeping is a natural fit. She still has a strong interest in nutrition, however, and has found a side job cooking healthy and delicious meals for a few fortunate families in midtown…and occasionally the ZüpMed staff! Ami also makes and sells raw, fermented probiotic “SuperKraut” and the best blackberry jam you’ve ever tasted. (Yes, you can order some!)

Brinkley
Concierge

Koda
Chief Executive Pawcifer
We were heartbroken when we lost our beloved clinic dog “Daisy” to sudden and unexplained heart failure last Fall. Never one to waste time, however, our teenage daughter Grayson came home a few days later with this gorgeous girl born in nearby Bartlett, Tennessee. “Koda” is an AKC German Shepherd Dog and has been attending our Laurelwood clinic on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays since she was 9 weeks old. While her Service Dog training continues, she is always ready to offer a wet nose, trusting eyes, and a favorite tennis ball to anyone looking for a little doggie love.