General Surgery Residency

Courtney Sommer, MD is a general surgeon at Mission Hospital in Asheville. She also serves as the Program Director for the General Surgery Residency. Dr. Sommer graduated Medical School from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and completed her Residency in General Surgery at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Upon Residency graduation, Dr. Sommer went onto complete a Fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at the University of Washington. Dr. Sommer’s focus of patient care is in General Surgery and Trauma.

Sean O’Connor, MD is a board-certified general surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive and robotic techniques for repair of complex hernias, as well as foregut surgery. He takes a comprehensive approach to pre- and post-operative care to enhance recovery after surgery, minimize surgical pain and provide durable results.

Dr. O'Connor received his bachelor's degree from Elon University and graduated medical school at East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine. He completed his residency at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC and his fellowship in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Prisma Health in Greenville, SC.

Dr. Schurr is a general and critical care surgeon with Mission Hospital and is the Program Director for the General Surgery Residency Program. Dr. Schurr attended medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Wisconsin. He completed a fellowship in trauma and critical care at the University of Tennessee, Memphis. He has held numerous academic positions, at the University of Wisconsin from 1995–2011 and Professor of Surgery at the University of Colorado from 2011–2014.

Dr. Schurr has been an active clinician and teacher since he completed his fellowship, teaching students, residents, and fellows. He has published over 60 articles and has ongoing clinical trials underway at Mission Hospital.

My general surgery training and additional fellowship in Surgical Oncology have provided me the knowledge and experience to treat patients with cancer and to guide them, as well as their families, to the most appropriate decision regarding their individual care. My staff and I compassionately provide our patients and their loved ones with the education and tools they need to meet the challenges of dealing with cancer. Our aim is to assist each individual in making the right choice for his or her particular situation regarding treatment options. I have the surgical skills to manage many different types of complicated cancers and a dedicated staff to provide the services necessary for a successful recovery. However, despite our advances in medical research and advanced operative techniques, sometimes surgery may not offer a cure. What we strive to do is help all of our patients in coordinating a treatment plan that is right for them.

Alan Bradshaw, MD is a general surgeon and President of Mission Surgery in Asheville. Dr. Bradshaw graduated Medical School at Texas A&M College of Medicine and completed his Residency in General Surgery at the University of North Carolina. Upon Residency graduation, Dr. Bradshaw went onto complete an Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Fellowship at Emory University in Georgia. Dr. Bradshaw maintains a number of executive roles in his profession to enhance the well-being and care of patients in Asheville. Since 2013, Dr. Bradshaw has served as Chief of Surgery at Mission as well as Chair of the Executive Proceduralists Administrative Committee. Dr. Bradshaw’s focus of patient care is in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery: Reflux, Colon, Hernia, and Bariatric Surgery.

Dr. Elaine Chan is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care. She completed her undergraduate studies at New York University and her medical education at State University of New York Downstate Medical Center. Her internship and general surgery residency were completed at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital In New York City. She completed a fellowship in Trauma Surgery at Emory University - Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA, and a fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at Jackson Memorial Hospital - Ryder Trauma Medical Center in Miami, FL. She continued as assistant professor of surgery at Temple University Hospital before transitioning to locums for several years. Currently, she is an adjunct professor of surgery at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC, where she serves as Director of Wellness for the MAHEC surgery residents and is also clerkship director for the Asheville cohort of UNC SOM third-year medical students.

Dwight Graham, MD, FACS is a pediatric surgeon at Mission Children’s Hospital in Asheville. Dr. Graham graduated from Medical School at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and completed a Residency in General Surgery at the University of Virginia. Upon residency graduation, Dr. Graham went on to complete a Fellowship in Pediatric Surgery at the Children’s Hospital in Seattle, Washington.

Dr. Harkness is a graduate of the University of South Florida College of Medicine. He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) and his fellowship training in gynecologic oncology at the University of Minnesota. He has a special interest in clinical research for women's cancers. Dr. Harkness and his wife are proud parents of twin girls.

John Henretta, MD is a vascular surgeon at Asheville Radiology-Carolina Vascular. Dr. Henretta graduated Medical School at the Medical College of Virginia and completed a Preliminary Internship and Residency in General Surgery at East Carolina University School of Medicine. Upon Residency graduation, Dr. Henretta completed Fellowships in Endovascular and Vascular Surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Before joining the Carolina Vascular team, Dr. Douglas worked for Asheville Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons, P.A. from 1999-2002.

Red Hoffman, MD is a general surgeon at Mission Hospital in Asheville. Dr. Hoffman graduated Medical School from Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine and completed her Residency in General Surgery at Maricopa Integrated Health System. Upon Residency graduation, Dr. Hoffman went onto complete a Fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at the University of North Carolina, and an additional Fellowship in Palliative Care at Mountain Area Health Education Center. Dr. Hoffman’s focus of patient care is in General Surgery, Palliative Care, and Trauma.

David Humphrey, MD is the Medical Director of the Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Center at Mission Hospital. Dr. Humphrey graduated Medical School at the University of Missouri and completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at Wake Forest University. Dr. Humphrey has been actively involved in academia since 2007, serving as Clinical Associate Professor for the Department of Medicine at the University of North Carolina and as the Medical Advisor of ACLS at Mission Hospital since 2001.

Allison Johnson, MD is a general surgeon at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde, North Carolina. Dr. Johnson graduated Medical School at the Medical University of South Carolina and completed both a Residency and Fellowship in General Surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Before joining Haywood Surgical Associates, Dr. Johnson served as an Advanced Trauma and Life Support Instructor at Mississippi Medical Center. During Medical School, Dr. Johnson was actively involved as a leader for women in surgery, serving as Co-President for both Women Interested in Surgical Experiences (WISE) and American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA).

Jonas Karlsson, MD is a general surgeon at Mission Hospital. Dr. Karlsson graduated from Medical School at the Ross University School of Medicine in Portsmouth, Dominica and completed a Preliminary General Surgery Internship at the Mayo Clinic as well as a Residency in General Surgery at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Upon Residency graduation, Dr. Karlsson went on to complete a Fellowship in Surgical Critical Care/Acute Care Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Karlsson has experience in teaching as he served as an Instructor of Surgery at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine from 2012-2013.

Lemuel Kirby, MD is a vascular surgeon at Asheville Radiology-Carolina Vascular. Dr. Kirby graduated Medical School at Wake Forest University in North Carolina and completed a Residency in General Surgery at the University of North Carolina. Upon Residency graduation, he went on to complete a Fellowship in Vascular Surgery at the Medical College of Georgia/Georgia Baptist. Dr. Kirby has shown an avid involvement in the community of Asheville by becoming the Founding Medical Director for the Haywood Street Respite, an 8 bed facility in downtown Asheville that provides a safe place for homeless adults to recover following discharge from the hospital. Dr. Kirby has become an active teacher and researcher, teaching students and residents as well as contributing to a number of research studies and publications.

Michelle Kiser, MD is a pediatric surgeon at Mission Children’s Hospital in Asheville. Dr. Kiser graduated Medical School and completed her Residency in General Surgery at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Upon residency graduation, Dr. Kiser went on to complete a Fellowship in Pediatric Surgery at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. In addition to being a pediatric surgeon, Dr. Kiser also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Public Health.

Dr. Kopelman is a general and critical care surgeon with Mission Hospital. She attended medical school at the University of Miami School of Medicine and remained at the University of Miami to complete her residency in general surgery as well as both her fellowship in Surgical Critical Care and her fellowship in Trauma and Emergency General Surgery. She has held academic appointments at the Medical College of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in addition to being faculty at Greenville Memorial Hospital (1997-2002) and the University of Arizona Medical School while faculty at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona (2003-2018). Dr. Kopelman’s focus on patient care is in Surgical Critical Care, Emergency General Surgery, and Trauma.

The demanding skillset required to perform the job as well as the ability to form long-term relationships with patients were what drew me to the field of medicine. I approach patient care by partnering with each patient in their health care journey. Communication is at the core of this relationship and I tend to have a direct style when speaking with my patients, which I think they appreciate. I've been working as a dedicated bariatric surgeon for over 15 years and have performed over 4000 successful bariatric surgery cases. I'm also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. My personal interests include being a three-time Ironman finisher, Christmas lighting enthusiast, and of course hanging out with my dogs.

Douglas MacMillan, MD is a vascular surgeon at Asheville Radiology-Carolina Vascular. Dr. MacMillan graduated Medical School at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. After graduation, Dr. MacMillan completed an Internship in Medicine at Beth Israel – Deaconess Medical Center in Boston before beginning his Residency in General Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine. Upon Residency graduation, Dr. MacMillan stayed at Emory University to complete a Fellowship in Vascular Surgery. Dr. MacMillan has been with Carolina Vascular since 2006.

Richard Massen, MD, is a general surgeon at Mission Hospital. Dr. Massen graduated Medical School at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn and completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at Bellevue Hospital in New York. He also completed a Residency in General Surgery at Mount Sinai School of Medicine as well as a Fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Prior to joining the Trauma Services Team at Mission Hospital, Dr. Massen worked as a general surgeon at Holy Cross Hospital in New Mexico from 2007-2013 and at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center from 2005-2007.

Katherine Mastriani, MD is a general surgeon at Mission Hospital. Dr. Mastriani graduated from Medical School at the University of South Carolina and completed her Surgical Residency as well as a Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Palmetto Health University of South Carolina. Dr. Mastriani is an active educator, having served as a lecturer on Surgical Hepatobiliary Disease for each group of medical students in their core surgery rotation at Palmetto Health University of South Carolina from 2012-2014

I decided to pursue a career as a surgeon to use science and the latest technology to help people lead longer and healthier lives. Along the way, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my patients and their families, and gaining an appreciation for their motivations and feelings toward their health. My training includes medical school at Washington University in Saint Louis, residency in General Surgery at the University of Connecticut and fellowship training in Endocrine Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin. My area of focus is on diseases of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in the care of the Asheville and western North Carolina community!

Lindsee McPhail, MD is a general surgeon at Mission Hospital in Asheville. She also serves as the Surgical Simulation Center Director for the General Surgery Residency. Dr. McPhail graduated Medical School, Residency (General Surgery) and Fellowship (Minimally Invasive Surgery) from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine.

Alfred Mina, MD is a general surgeon at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde, North Carolina. He graduated from Medical School at Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed a Residency in General Surgery at Williams Beaumont Hospital. Dr. Mina has held several previous positions including running his own private practice from 2003-2008. He has been actively involved as an educator, teaching 3rd Year University of North Carolina Medical Students during their surgical clerkships in Asheville. Dr. Mina is currently serving on the Haywood Regional Medical Center Board of Directors and is President of the Haywood County Medical Society. His professional field of focus is in laparoscopic surgeries, cancer surgeries, and venous reflux.

I have had a lifelong interest in science and biology. I have always been curious about the human body and what makes it work, and this curiosity inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. While in medical school and during my surgical residency, I realized that I was particularly interested in caring for patients with difficult problems that require highly technical surgical procedures or complex treatment plans to overcome. Becoming a hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon has allowed me to help patients with some of the most challenging and complex problems imaginable. My care philosophy is driven first and foremost by caring for patients as if they were my own family member. I always strive to provide every patient with the background understanding for them to make informed decisions about their care. Using that understanding, my goal is to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to each patient as an individual and to provide the best care possible using the most advanced techniques and treatment modalities available. In my free time, I enjoy spending time in the outdoors camping, hiking, and fishing with my family, including our four dogs.

Kolandaivelu Ramaswamy, MD, FACS is a general surgeon at Mission Surgery in Asheville. Dr. Ramaswamy graduated Medical School from Madras Medical College in Chennai, India and completed his Residency in General Surgery at Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital (Grace) in Michigan. Dr. Ramaswamy’s focus of patient care is in Emergency General Surgery.

Dr. Emma Rooney became a part of our team in 2023 as a Vascular Surgeon at Carolina Vascular, a division of ARA Health Specialists. She began her educational journey at Tufts University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics. Following this, Dr. Rooney pursued her passion for medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, where she achieved her Doctor of Medicine degree. Her post-graduate journey continued at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA, where she completed her residency in General Surgery, focusing on the Early Specialization Track. This dedication to her field further led her to specialize in vascular surgery, completing a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at the same institution. Her extensive training and commitment to her specialty have made her a valuable addition to our medical team.

Joshua Rudd, DO is a general surgeon and Director of the Outpatient Wound Care Center at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde, North Carolina. He graduated Medical School at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed a Residency in General Surgery at Mercy Medical Center in Iowa. Dr. Rudd is an active educator of future residents, serving as an adjunct instructor for General Surgery at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. His area of focus is in Minimally Invasive Surgery and he spends one day a week performing venous ablations in the Vein Clinic at Haywood.

William Shillinglaw, DO is a general surgeon as well as the Medical Director of Trauma Surgery at Mission Hospital. Dr. Shillinglaw attended Medical School at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a Residency in General Surgery at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital. Upon Residency graduation, Dr. Shillinglaw completed a Fellowship in Trauma Surgery/Critical Care at the University of Maryland, R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. Dr. Shillinglaw has held numerous positions, most recently as Service-Line Leader, Trauma Surgery Service at Mission Hospital from 2004-2009 and Co-Medical Director, Trauma Surgery Service at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Michigan from 1998-1999. Since becoming a clinician, Dr. Shillinglaw has been actively involved in research. During the past 5 years he has studied Recombinant Factor Xa Inhibitor Antidote (Annexa-4) (2015), Inhaled Amikacin Solution BAY41-6551 as Adjunctive Therapy in the Treatment of Gram-Negative Pneumonia (INHALE 1) (2014) and Efficacy and Safety Study of Intravenous Progesterone in patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (SyNAPSe) (2011).

Peeter Soosaar, MD, FACS is a general surgeon at Mission Surgery in Asheville. Dr. Soosaar graduated medical school from Louisiana State University Medical Center and completed his Residency in General Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Soosaar’s focus of patient care is in general surgery, bariatric surgery and advanced laparoscopic surgery.

Jesse Sulzer, MD is a General Surgeon at Mission Surgery in Asheville, NC. He received his doctorate degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine University of New Orleans, and did his residency at the Louisiana State University.

Originally from Tennessee, Dr. Whitfield graduated from The University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He completed his general surgery residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, followed by his colorectal fellowship in Shreveport, LA. He is board-certified in both general surgery and colorectal surgery. He offers cutting edge minimally invasive and robotic surgery and is currently welcoming all new patients. Dr. Whitfield offers treatment for the following disease processes: - Cancer of the colon, rectum, and anus - Diverticulitis - Benign anorectal disease, including hemorrhoids, fissures, abscess, and fistulas - Inflammatory bowel disease - Rectal prolapse - Fecal incontinence - Screening for colorectal cancer Dr. Whitfield and his wife, Heather, have one child. Together, they enjoy outdoor activities, travel, Blues hockey, and spending exploring St. Louis.

Kent Williamson, MD is a vascular surgeon at Asheville Radiology-Carolina Vascular. Dr. Williamson graduated Medical School at Wake Forest School of Medicine and completed a Preliminary Internship, as well as his Residency in General Surgery and Vascular Surgery at Oregon Health & Sciences University. Before joining the Carolina Vascular Team, Dr. Williamson served as Chief for the Department of Surgery at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Oregon from 2012-2016. While in Oregon, Dr. Williamson was an active teacher, serving as Clinical Assistant Professor for the Vascular Surgery Fellowship at Oregon Health & Sciences University.

I was born in Charleston, SC, and raised in a small rural community in the heart of the Francis Marion National Forest, which is just outside of Charleston. I grew up doing construction work with my family, and that allowed me to gain valuable experience and an appreciation for working with my hands. I have also always been very interested in biology, chemistry, and physics, so majoring in biomedical engineering at the University of South Carolina allowed me to combine all of my interests with my background in building things. After college, I earned my medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. In medical school, I fell in love with being in the OR. I find surgery to be the most interesting specialty because I get to work with my hands and help people at the same time.

I am very happy that I will complete my surgical training at MAHEC. The program and the people are all excellent, and I love the area. I have spent many vacations in the mountains, so I feel very fortunate that where I used to vacation is now my home. In my spare time, I love to fish and to just be outdoors in general.

My name is Mark Khalil and I was born and raised in South Carolina. I was born three months after my parents immigrated to the United States from Egypt; however, I primarily grew up in a small, Greenville-neighboring town called Easley. Secondary to being raised in an Egyptian household located in the deep south, I am a self-proclaimed Southern-Egyptian.

I attended Clemson University for my undergraduate studies, where I attained a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry and a passion for serving people. I attended medical school at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville, and I am very excited to join the MAHEC general surgery residency family.

General surgery was an obvious specialty choice for me because I was unequivocally amazed by surgical procedures, technique, and pathology. I was also very attracted to the way a surgeon can serve and care for patients in a very unique and meaningful way; being someone patients can trust in a moment of their life that is frightening and uncertain. I am so fortunate to undergo my surgical training at MAHEC in the beautiful city of Asheville – a special place where I am certain I will be able to simultaneously be trained to be an excellent surgeon and enjoy life.

Outside of work, my wife Anna and I enjoy any and all outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, flat-water kayaking, playing with our sassy pit-lab mix, Dragon; as well as sharing life and meals with people, exploring breweries, and ping-pong.

My name is Katie and I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am one of three siblings and the only person in my immediate family who isn’t an engineer, parents included. I went to the University of Dayton for undergrad (go flyers!) where I became a volunteer EMT and discovered my passion for medicine and patient care. I then moved to northwest Ohio for medical school at the University of Toledo and quickly found myself drawn to the hands-on and patient-centered nature of surgery. While I love Ohio and my family there, I was very ready for my next adventure somewhere new!

I first fell in love with Asheville and MAHEC/Mission Hospital when I did a rotation here as a 4th year medical student. The mountains and the excellent program drew me here, but the people made it feel like home. I am incredibly grateful and excited to be a part of the MAHEC team and I’m looking forward to training with the best colleagues and mentors!

In my free time, I love hiking, road biking, running, rock climbing, and anything else that involves the outdoors! I have been an avid snow skier my whole life, even dabbling in ski racing for a short time, and love slalom water skiing as well. I’m extremely excited for the outdoor opportunities Asheville will bring me and can’t wait to start exploring!

My name is Julie Rajotte-Caron. I’m ecstatic to be part of the MAHEC surgery family! I can’t wait to experience this beautiful city and meet all of its amazing people.

I’m originally from Quebec, Canada. I obtained my bachelor of science in nursing during my time in the Canadian Military. I completed 8 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and experienced several areas of healthcare including community health, global health, tropical diseases, teaching, primary care and healthcare management.

The Army has permitted me to work in emergency and trauma care as part of international coalitions in austere environments. I was challenged to develop my clinical skills in conditions of extreme fatigue requiring personal and professional growth during several deployments abroad such as in the Philippines and El Salvador. My passion for the Army will always stay. As I always say: my heart is green!

I have always been interested and drawn toward performing technical procedures that involve using my hands. Surgery residency is the next step in my adventure. Specifically, my interests are global surgery, rural surgery, breast surgery, and plastic surgery.

Outside of work, I like to spend time with my wonderful husband. We try to visit a new country every year. I also enjoy hot yoga, hiking, biking, baking, and outside circuit training.

My name is Amanda Stastny and I’m excited to be joining the MAHEC Rural General Surgery Residency Program. I grew up in Anderson, SC, and later traveled up the road to attend college at Clemson University, where I majored in bioengineering. After graduating in 2016, I started medical school at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, SC. I’m thrilled to be coming closer to home but also to experience living in Asheville, NC. I’m looking forward to exploring the hiking and fishing in the area as well as relaxing and spending time with my dog, Maeve, at the breweries and parks around town.

My name is Luke Tidwell. I was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN, in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains. I went to the University of South Carolina where I first became interested in healthcare. After graduating from undergrad, I worked in the Surgical Department and immediately fell in love with the surgical medicine. I also obtained a Master’s in Pharmacology before getting my medical degree at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.

Going into medical school, I knew that I wanted to be a surgeon and cannot wait to start my journey in Asheville. The community at MAHEC is really what makes the program special. They are incredibly supportive and I am lucky that I was chosen to be a part of the Asheville family.

Growing up in the mountains, Asheville was a natural fit for me. I enjoy hiking, camping, and just about anything that gets me out of the city. I am excited to get to know the city more and experience the booming culture.

My name is Monica Boyd and I was born and raised in a small town outside of Greensboro, NC. As a NC native, I love the Appalachians and could not be happier to call Asheville, NC home. I am thrilled to be joining the MAHEC General Surgery program and look forward to serving this community.

I completed my undergraduate studies at East Carolina University and after graduation spent several years working in the pharmaceutical industry. This ultimately led to me to Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine where I completed my medical degree.

When I am not working I love to spend time with my husband, Tyler, and our two dogs. We love to travel, try new restaurants and breweries, and spend time relaxing on the water with friends and family.

I am excited to begin my general surgical training at MAHEC, Mission Hospital. I grew up in San Juan Bautista, California where I attended a Monte Vista Christian High School. I went on to complete my undergraduate training at Baylor University where I completed a BS in Biochemistry with an emphasis on Medical Humanities underscored by clinical & surgical research. I completed my medical doctorate at Loma Linda University with a concentration in vascular surgery research publications (aneurysmal disease, peripheral arterial disease, and arteriovenous fistula maturation). During my 3rd year, I married my dearly loved wife who is an Internal Medicine Resident at MAHEC. We are excited to start our small family in Asheville serving western North Carolina. The delicious espresso shops and Blue Ridge hiking trails are right up our alley! We love it.

I was born and raised in Georgia northeast of Atlanta. I stayed in Georgia for undergrad at UGA and for medical school at the Medical College of Georgia. During medical school, I was fortunate to travel on two medical mission trips where I established a desire to practice medicine in underserved populations. I chose to do my clinical work in Northwest Georgia in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains where I enjoyed above-average responsibility in patient care as well as close interaction with attendings. Before finishing medical school, I completed a fellowship in Theology, Medicine, and Culture at Duke Divinity.

These experiences, as well as a long-held desire to become a surgeon, informed my decision to train at MAHEC for residency. I am confident that MAHEC will provide excellent hands-on training and high case numbers. Additionally, I am excited to be working in a close-knit community that has shown a consistent commitment to the service of its community.

My wife and I were married at the height of the pandemic and have enjoyed exploring parks with our dog, preparing adventurous meals at home, and dreaming of travelling again. We are diehard Georgia football fans and enjoy tailgating on the lake with friends. I also enjoy reading, playing golf, following formula one, spending time at the lake, going to breweries, snow skiing, and working on cars in my free time.

My name is Chandler and I am stoked to start my career at MAHEC! I was born and raised in Lexington, NC-home of the best BBQ in the nation. I went to undergrad at UNC Greensboro where I earned degrees in Biology and American Sign Language and played Club Quidditch. I finished undergrad and went straight to medical school at VCOM in Spartanburg, SC. I easily found myself at home in the OR while on my clinical rotations and I knew right away that I was drawn to the field of surgery.

My interests include healthcare disparities in marginalized communities, quality improvement, plastics, global surgery, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.

I can’t cook but I am an excellent taste tester and pride myself on my ability to find the best restaurants in any city. I’m a huge fan of all sports. I enjoy going to the gym and breweries, ice cream, hiking, biking, tennis, pickleball, Netflix and traveling. I’m a big coffee drinker and one of my favorite jobs was being a barista in my hometown.

I’m thrilled to make Asheville my home. I was immediately drawn to MAHEC after my virtual pandemic interview and the impression that the residents and faculty made even through a screen. I was easily sold on the supportive environment, the cohesiveness of the residents and the diversity of the faculty, residents, and patient community. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work in such an amazing place as part of the MAHEC family.

My name is Jacquie Zimmerman, and I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the MAHEC Surgery family! I grew up as a missionary kid, so I’ve lived a lot of places, but spent most of my time in Kenya and Mozambique! Growing up in areas with severe health disparities has always been the driving force behind my desire to pursue medicine—especially the well-rounded and hands on approach of surgery! I definitely hope to incorporate global health/medical missions into my career one day.

I played soccer in college but truly love all sports and competition. I also love to cook/bake for others and challenge myself in the kitchen. Overall, my husband and I are really excited for this new chapter; we are looking forward to gaining a few new hiking/fishing spots and favorite restaurants here in Asheville!

Hello! My name is Lauren Delmastro, but many friends call me Del. I am so excited to join the General Surgery Residency at MAHEC. I am from northern Wisconsin and studied Biochemistry and Spanish at UW-Madison. As a proud Badger and Wisconsinite, I will always have a supply of Wisconsin cheese in my fridge and Badger football on in the Fall. I moved to North Carolina after college for a year and fell in love with it, especially the Blue Ridge Mountains. I attended medical school back in the Midwest at Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL.

I am so excited to go back to Western North Carolina and train at MAHEC. I was looking for a program with supportive co-residents, early and extensive operative experience, and leadership that is committed to provide me what I need to achieve my career goals. After my away rotation here and getting to know some of the amazing residents and faculty, I knew this program would give me these. My career interests include surgical disparities, social determinants of health, and surgical oncology.

When I am not at the hospital, I love to hike, play soccer and ultimate, or just be outside with my partner, Matt . We love to enjoy the food scene in AVL – our favorite places are Hole Doughnuts and Chai Pani. I plan to get a mountain bike and start climbing more outdoors once I move in!

I was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and raised in a small city in Northern Afghanistan - Kunduz city. After graduating high school, I received a scholarship to attend medical school in Ukraine. After returning home, I joined Kunduz Trauma Center, a Doctors Without Borders Hospital, and lectured at Kunduz University. Every lived day was a blessing, and I learned enormously from experience. Since 2018, I have been living in Virginia and worked as a Surgical Assistant, working with fantastic colleagues, outstanding physicians, and esteemed mentors.

I am thrilled to join the MAHEC Surgery family and pursue my surgical training. I loved the MAHEC resident family when I attended a Virtual meet and greet for applicants and talked to people who have worked at Mission Hospital about the culture in the program. Asheville is a gorgeous city. The mountains remind me of my childhood in Afghanistan, can not wait to start exploring.

In my free time, I go to the gym, love hiking, cooking new dishes, and watching comedy and documentaries.

Hi all, I’m Ben and I am glad to continue my medical education at MAHEC in Asheville. I grew up in a small town outside Aiken, SC. While at college at the University of South Carolina-Aiken, I discovered a love of medicine from working as a ED scribe. I was then accepted into the USC School of Medicine – Greenville in 2019, and developed a passion for surgery while on my third-year clerkships, especially on our community surgery and trauma/acute care surgery services. Living in Greenville SC meant I was close to Asheville and would become acquainted with the area and its unique culture which I came to love. I feel humbled and privileged to work with, and be trained by, the lovely people here at MAHEC, and can’t wait to see where residency takes me.

Outside of the hospital, I enjoy playing pickup and competitive grass volleyball, gardening, backpacking in the nearby national and state parks such as Pisgah and Great Smoky Mountains, and hanging out with my pup, a sweet little 4-year-old American Staffie mix named Lady.

Hello! My name is Ana Patel. I grew up in Berkeley CA where I was raised by two moms and two cats. I graduated from Smith College with a BA in East Asian Studies. After undergrad, I stayed in MA to work as an EMT and medical scribe while completing additional pre-med classes. I moved to NC where I graduated from Wake Forest School of Medicine and stayed as one of the preliminary general surgery interns. I am beyond excited to have matched at MAHEC and look forward to moving to Asheville with my husband and son.

Outside of work I enjoy traveling, scuba diving, and spending time with family.

My name is Drew Rickelmann, and I was born in Ann Arbor, MI but grew up in Southern California. I attended the University of Michigan for undergrad where I played club soccer. I then spent a year at Georgetown University where I completed a Master’s in Physiology before heading to Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA for my medical degree.

I was inspired to practice medicine by my mom (an emergency room nurse) and other family members who work in healthcare. I saw how my neighbors were able to rely on my mom for anything healthcare-related, and I decided I wanted to be that person, too. Medicine is a special field that combines my passion for helping others and my love of learning. MAHEC’s emphasis on teaching and clinical experience, along with the opportunity to serve both urban and rural populations, drew me to the program. I was also impressed with the collegiality and relationships between residents and faculty. I am so excited to be a member of MAHEC and contribute to its well-rounded surgery residency.

Outside of medicine, my partner, Liz (a MAHEC Family Medicine resident) and our dog, Wren, love to explore the outdoors, eat amazing food, and discover new coffee shops. This made the decision to move to Asheville a no-brainer for us. In my free time, I also enjoy golfing, yoga, and cooking.

Hi- I’m Victoria Johnson! I am originally from northern Wisconsin along the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. I am a Badger at heart and have completed all my schooling at UW Madison. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Neuroscience, I moved back to northern Wisconsin and became an EMT because while I was interested in medicine- I did not feel I had a complete understanding of what it truly entailed. The time I was able to spend with patients driving them an hour away to the nearest hospital really solidified my understanding of the severity of the health disparities facing my rural community. This experience inspired me to pursue medical school through the rural track at UW-SMPH where I was able to receive additional training for practicing in underserved areas.

I fell in love with general surgery during my core rotations. I found that everything I had liked about other specialties were all incorporated in general surgery with the bonus of having many career pathways through fellowship or general practice. Having the opportunity to serve such a multifaceted diverse population in Asheville and surrounding areas is an honor and I look forward to getting to know this new community. I knew MAHEC was the program for me the more I learned about its tight knit culture and fierce dedication to our education without sacrificing a patient first mentality. While I do not know what my practice will look like in the future, I know that I want to be involved in medical education. I cannot wait to expand on my teaching skills during residency so one day I can teach the next generation of general surgeons.

I am thrilled to move to Asheville as it is the perfect fit for my outdoorsy lifestyle. I am an avid fisherman and love to bike and hike (and afterwards, having the best local food and drink is a must). I look forward to settling into residency so I can get a dog and spend my free time exploring all that the Blue Ridge Mountains have to offer!

Hi everyone! My name is Thomas, and I grew up in Northern Maine where I spent much of my time working on my family’s potato farm. I attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine, where I studied biochemistry and explored my love for medicine and helping others. During this time, I also followed my passion for music and performed a lot of local shows with my best friend, Scott. Throughout my time in the Maine Track program at Tufts University School of Medicine, I became more interested in rural and community hospital general surgery. I knew MAHEC would be the perfect place to learn as a surgical resident given the incredible culture, wonderful support by the faculty and staff, and beautiful location with opportunities to serve the communities of Western North Carolina.

Outside of the hospital, you can find me at local concerts, enjoying the food and craft brewing scene, playing tennis or pickup soccer, or exploring the WNC area with my fiancée and our dog, Hazel. I am so excited to see where this journey takes us.

Hello! My name is Mei Ray (it rhymes). I was adopted from China and grew up in Memphis, TN. I graduated from The University of Alabama where I majored in art and minored in biology and psychology. I moved back to Memphis to serve with Impact America, an AmeriCorps program, as their FocusFirst coordinator before attending medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. I am grateful for my time at UT Chattanooga as a preliminary general surgery intern and excited to continue my surgery journey at MAHEC.

Outside of the hospital, I enjoy hiking, painting, baking for Café Mei, and cuddling with my cat Appy.

My name is Mandy Stallard, and I am incredibly excited to join the MAHEC General Surgery Residency Program. I was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and lived in both Virginia and New York while my father served in the Navy. We eventually settled in Johnson City, Tennessee to be closer to our family. The Appalachian area quickly became home, and I loved growing up surrounded by both the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains.

My academic journey led me to the University of Tennessee Knoxville (Go Vols!) where I pursued a degree in Biochemistry, Cellular & Molecular Biology. I then attended the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South Carolina for my medical training. During my clinical rotations at Haywood Regional Medical Center, I discovered my passion for General Surgery and recognized the vital role MAHEC plays in providing healthcare to the Western North Carolina community.

My professional interests lie in Surgical Critical Care, Transplant Surgery, and Hepatobiliary Surgery. Outside of medicine, I spend my time playing tennis, exploring Asheville with my dog Leo, trying out new restaurants, and reading Science Fiction books. I am so thankful for the opportunity to complete my General Surgery Residency at MAHEC and am looking forward to the next 5 years!

My name is Greg Watts, and I was born and raised in Tulsa Oklahoma and lived in a town outside of Tulsa called Broken Arrow until I was about 12 years old. My family then moved to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where I ended up completing middle and high school. During that time, I was involved in a variety of sports including football, basketball, and wrestling. After completion of high school, I attended the University of Kentucky for undergraduate majoring in Psychology with a minor in Business, graduate school for a master’s in medical sciences, and then Medical School.

My family consists of my wife an Internal Medicine Resident here at MAHEC, My mother and father, and my younger sister. In our free time my wife and I enjoy outdoor activities such as pickleball, hiking, and taking our golden retriever Bailey on new adventures. We also enjoy finding time for reading, going to coffee shops, and trying new restaurants.

My clinical interests are very broad and include a vast majority of the areas of general surgery. Two subspecialty disciplines that are most fascinating to me currently are minimally invasive surgery or trauma and critical care surgery.

I am excited about completing my surgical residency at MAHEC because I feel confident it will provide a training environment with high clinical volume, an apprenticeship type training model, and a close-knit collegial environment.