More Than a Clinic. A Medical Home for Your Family.
We built Strawberry Patch Pediatrics & Family Clinic on a simple belief: true healthcare doesn't force you to choose between your body and your mind. We are here to treat the whole you, through every season of life.
About US
A work of heart.
Strawberry Patch Pediatrics & Family Clinic opened in late 2019, founded by Dr. Laura L. Drake, MD, with a single idea: care should be local, comprehensive, and built around the people walking through the door — not the system behind the desk.
We started as a pediatric practice. We grew into a full family clinic — adding adult care and mental health services — because that's what our patients asked for.
Meet the team
Clinical expertise you can trust, delivered with the genuine compassion you deserve. Get to know the faces that make Strawberry Patch feel like a medical home.
Dr. Laura Drake, MD
Pediatrician, Medical Director
Dr. Laura earned her medical degree from LSUHSC – Shreveport in 2008 and completed her residency training at LSUHSC at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. She and her husband, Ernie Drake, have been blessed with three amazing children. After working for years in Pediatrics, she and Ernie envisioned a medical practice that prioritized quality care and personal relationships, thus Strawberry Patch Pediatrics opened in December 2019! Dr. Laura enjoys family vacations and helping animals in need.
“Over the last six years, Strawberry Patch has evolved to meet the needs of our community. We started out as strictly pediatrics, and quickly added family medicine, later expanding to mental health services as well. I love not only providing medical and mental health services for our local community, but also prioritizing work/life balance for our providers and staff, which results in improved overall job satisfaction.”
Collin Thomas, BSN, APRN, CPNP, PMHNP
PEDIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER
As a young child, I always said I wanted to become a ‘baby doctor or nurse.’ Growing up, I witnessed my mother’s empathy and devotion as she cared for my grandmother. As I took a more active role in her care, I learned firsthand the emotional and physical demands involved. Though challenging, the experience was deeply rewarding and instilled in me a strong sense of purpose, reinforcing my compassion and desire to pursue healthcare.
One of the greatest privileges of being a nurse practitioner is growing alongside my patients during some of the hardest years of their lives. I meet many as infants and watch them grow, face challenges, and discover who they are. Being present for both struggles and triumphs has shown me the power of trust and compassion, and it’s why I’m deeply grateful for the work I do.
Paula Hall, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
NURSE PRACTITIONER
I have wanted to be a ‘Doctor’ since the age of two. Once I entered college and navigated a cancer diagnosis with my husband, it solidified my decision to pursue a career helping those in need.
I care for patients of every age, ethnicity, and background. Caring for them has taught me more than words can express. I enjoy learning about my patients, building relationships, and earning trust. It’s not just about physical health outcomes, but also about the emotional and psychological well-being of each patient.
Peggy Chunn, LPC
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Growing up in Alabama with three older sisters, I often mediated conflicts, which became my first introduction to counseling. I did not initially plan a career in healthcare, but a job change led me to a case management role in a mental health office, where I found purpose in helping others through difficult seasons. With encouragement from mentors, I pursued graduate school and became a master's-level mental health professional focused on early intervention with children. I later earned my LPC license and fully committed to the mental health field.
Laney Martin, RN
NURSE, CLINIC DIRECTOR
I have always felt encouraged to care for people. Caring for others gives me a sense of purpose in this great big world. I have cared for patients for 20+ years in different healthcare settings. I came to Strawberry Patch 3 years ago from a larger hospital care system. I could have never imagined the impact that I could make with a small privately owned healthcare clinic. As the Clinic Director, I oversee our patient care and work alongside our staff and providers. I enjoy leading our team to its full potential!
Sunny McDaniel, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CAS
NURSE PRACTITIONER
Dr. Sunny R. McDaniel, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CAS, has more than fifteen years of experience as a nurse practitioner. She earned her Bachelor’s (2006) and Doctorate (2013) degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and her Master’s (2010) from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Dr. McDaniel focuses her practice on patients’ overall physical, mental, and social health.
Dr. McDaniel is the proud mother of three beautiful boys: 12-year-old twins and a 5-year-old. At age two, one of her twin boys was diagnosed with autism. In response to her son’s diagnosis, Dr. McDaniel pursued further education, completing a postgraduate certificate program in autism spectrum disorders at the University of North Dakota. Two years later, she earned certification as an Autism Specialist (CAS). She recognizes that the healthcare setting can be challenging and can produce feelings of uncertainty for some individuals.
Through ongoing professional development and insights gained from her son over the years, Dr. McDaniel incorporates a range of communication methods and sensory adaptations into her practice, tailoring them for autistic individuals and others with sensory needs to support communication and reduce anxiety or fear. To date, Dr. McDaniel remains committed to expanding advocacy, education, and support for autistic individuals and their families within the clinic and community.
Paige Schaffer, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
NURSE PRACTITIONER
My interest in healthcare began during my senior year of high school through an extra-credit healthcare course. It was solidified during a medical mission trip to Belize, where I experienced firsthand the impact compassionate care can have on individuals and communities. That experience made it clear that healthcare was the only path for me.
My favorite part of caring for families is building lasting relationships while supporting them through every stage of life. Being present during both healthy moments and times of illness allows me to offer guidance, reassurance, and meaningful care when it’s needed most.
Leanna McCrea, MSW, LCSW
SOCIAL WORKER
I was inspired to enter mental healthcare after witnessing the extensive and often unmet need for compassionate, accessible support. I am passionate about reducing stigma and normalizing mental health challenges in a rapidly changing world. While I enjoy working with all ages, I have a special passion for supporting teens and young adults as they navigate life transitions and build resilience.
What I enjoy most about caring for patients is witnessing their growth over time—seeing skills take root, confidence build, and goals become achievable. Walking alongside people as they develop insight and resilience is incredibly meaningful, and knowing my work has a lasting impact is deeply rewarding.
Maryanna Sperduto, LCSW
SOCIAL WORKER
For as long as I can remember, I have deeply appreciated mental health and its impact on our lives. At the same time, witnessing others close to me navigating their own mental health challenges deepened my passion for this work and inspired me to pursue a career in the field.
I earned my Master of Social work, with a specialization in Children and Families, from the University of Cincinnati. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds across various settings, gaining experience supporting a wide variety of needs.
Starting therapy can feel extremely intimidating. My goal is to create a warm, supportive space where you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment. I believe everyone deserves to feel heard, respected, and supported as they work toward meaningful change.
Elizabeth Johnston, LCSW, MSW
SOCIAL WORKER
Working with children has always felt natural to me. My first job was at a summer day camp and after-school program, and for many years I assumed I would become a teacher like so many of my family members. After Hurricane Katrina, however, I saw firsthand the resilience of children and families facing immense hardship and discovered my passion for supporting them through difficult times. That experience led me to social work, where I found the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Accreditation
Strawberry Patch Pediatrics & Family Clinic is recognized as an Exemplary Provider by The Compliance Team — a designation that reflects our commitment to safety, quality, and patient-centered care.
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