Providers

Maria I. Cartagena, M.D. is a licensed physician in Louisiana who is fluent in English and Spanish. She graduated from Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 2002 and completed her residency in Family Medicine at East Jefferson General Hospital in 2009. Dr. Cartagena has worked in private practice with patients of all ages since 2009. She has also worked in Wound Care and Urgent Care. In 2010 she joined Plaquemines Medical Center and started as Assistant Medical Director of this facility in 2013 until 2020. Dr. Cartagena has also served as supervisor of mid-level providers at Plaquemines Primary Care since 2014. She is also the Laboratory Director, Clinical Consultant, and Technical Consultant at Plaquemines Medical Center Laboratory. In 2021 she joined Plaquemines Primary Care as a full-time Primary Care Provider and Medical Director for Plaquemines Primary Care.

Annette Cotton APRN, FNP-C, is a lifelong resident of Plaquemines Parish. She is a 1994 graduate of BelleChasse High School. Having a childhood desire to work in healthcare, she decided to take the professional path of Nursing. She graduated from Charity School of Nursing in 2000 with an Associate's degree and worked at Children’s Hospital of New Orleans for 16 years. In 2013 she graduated with a bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and in 2016 graduated with a Master’s degree in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Both degrees from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and an active member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Annette is very excited to be working in the same parish in which she grew up. She is passionate about helping her patients reach realistic goals while simultaneously optimizing health and overall wellbeing. Annette practices patient-centered care to meet patients’ individualized medical needs. She is excited to see what additional opportunities Plaquemines Primary Care can provide to our community and looks forward to meeting new patients. In her spare time, Annette enjoys spending time with her husband and her two children, playing with her dogs, crafting, and camping for relaxing weekend getaways.