James M. Mick, MD
Dr. James Mick is board certified through the American Board of Pediatrics and in Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation. Born in Hamilton, Ohio, he moved to Arizona and joined Ponderosa Pediatrics in 1986. Prior to coming here, he practiced in Cañon City, Colorado from 1975 to 1984, then in Jefferson City, Missouri until he 
moved to Prescott. A veteran, Dr. Mick served as a general medical officer in the United States Army where he served in South Korea and El Paso, Texas. He received his MD from the Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.
He is an American Academy of Pediatrics Fellow, Medical Director of Partners for Healthy Students and is a member of Sacred Heart Church in Prescott. He married Francine in 1969. They have two sons, two daughters and seven grandchildren. Dr. Mick stays active and is an avid hiker, jogger and enjoys weight training, reading and crossword puzzles.
Matthew Hinton, MD
Dr. Matthew Hinton is a board certified pediatrician. We claim him as a Prescott native. Although born in Provo, Utah, the Hinton family moved here when “little Matt” was one year old! He graduated from Prescott High School, earn his associate of science from Yavapai College, then moved back to Provo to earn his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University where he graduated cum laude. He then earned his MD from the University of 
Arizona Medical School, again went back to Utah and completed his residency in Salt Lake City. Choosing to come back to serve the children from his hometown, Dr. Hinton joined Ponderosa Pediatrics in 2004.
Dr. Hinton is married to Adrienne and they have three children. He is a Boy Scouts of America merit badge counselor and is Bishop of the young single adult ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He enjoys hiking, fishing, gardening, astronomy, birdwatching, basketball and spending time with his family!
Ronael Eckman, MD
Dr. Ronael Eckman is a board certified pediatrician and is also certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation. She completed her formal training in pediatrics at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Maricopa Medical Center in June 2010. She joined Ponderosa Pediatrics in October 2010. She is a Yavapai County native and third generation Arizonan, born and raised in the Verde Valley where her family still resides. She completed her undergraduate education at Arizona State University in Tempe and earned her MD at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
Dr. Eckman is a passionate football and college basketball fan and enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, wakeboarding and snowboarding. She is active as a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and currently plays in a recreational softball league. She enjoys spending time with her siblings, her cat “Mouse,” and finds time for reading and star gazing.
Lee Howard, CPNP
Lee Howard is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, she began her practice in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In 1986, Lee moved to Tucson to 
join CIGNA Healthcare, where she practiced until 1992, when she moved to Prescott to join Ponderosa Pediatrics. She received her degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Lee has one adult son, one adult daughter, three grandchildren and loves reading and gardening. She sings with the Yavapai College Community Chorale and in her church choir, where she is an active member.
Michelle Copeland, CPNP
Michelle Copeland is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. Born in Fort
Wayne, Indiana, she moved to Arizona in 1986. She received her degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. She became a registered nurse in 1985, began her practice as a CPNP in 1997 in Phoenix, Arizona. Michelle joined Ponderosa Pediatrics in January 2009. Her nursing background includes neonatal intensive care and air evac transport.
Michelle and her husband have three children. She enjoys theater, music, spending time in the outdoors and with her family.
Jeanne Gibian, CPNP
Jeanne Gibian is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and is a former treasurer of the Arizona Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Jeanne began working 
as a nurse practitioner in 1976 in her home state. She moved to Arizona in 2002 and joined Ponderosa Pediatrics in December 2009. She received her degree from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. She earned her master’s from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. She has an interest in helping patients dermatology issues and in managing asthma.
Jeanne is married to Richard and has four children. She stays in shape by working out five days a week and playing tennis. She designs jewelry in her “spare time!”
