Pronouns: she/her/hers
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Medical School: University of Maryland at Baltimore Internship: Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham Chief Resident: Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham Fellowship: General Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham Past faculty appointments: University of Alabama at Birmingham (Associate Program Director) University of Louisville (Associate Program Director) Virginia Commonwealth University (Program Director, Associate Chair)
Dr. Stephanie Call was recruited to start the Internal Medicine Training Program at MAHEC in the fall of 2019. Dr. Call is a nationally recognized educator, recently receiving the national Associate of Program Directors in Internal Medicine Distinguished Medical Educator Award. She was also a recipient of the Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award - one of the highest honors bestowed by the ACGME. She is recurrently recognized by her learners and institutions, having received numerous teaching awards from each of the medical universities with which she was affiliated, including a recent University-wide Distinguished Teacher Award and an award recognizing her leadership in graduate medical education. Dr. Call was also recognized as Working Mother of the Year in 2012 for demonstrating that you don’t have to choose between a fulfilling career and a wonderful personal life (And her three daughters, Alex, Katie and Emma, agree!).
Dr. Call is a trained facilitator in the Stanford Clinical Teaching Framework and has significant expertise in faculty development in clinical teaching and assessment, including running teaching workshops as far as Qatar and Brazil. She is also trained in several innovative teaching methods and has led studies in enhancing learner engagement at both the GME and UME levels. She has recently spoken nationally and internationally on milestones, education updates, evaluation and feedback, innovative curriculum design, wellness and resilience, reflection and other subjects. Her favorite teaching topics are bedside physical examination, evidence-based medicine, diagnostic reasoning and resilience/reflection.
Serving on committees with AAIM, APDIM, ACP, Dr. Call was a founding member of the National Program Directors Survey Committee and completed a four-year term on the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine Council. She served as a member of the writing tasks force for the development of the AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities for Entering Residency Project and for the ACGME Milestones 2.0 project.
I truly believe that things happen for a reason. I am passionate about what I do. I love teaching, I love serving people, and I love working with others to develop innovative approaches to clinical care and clinical teaching. I also love the mountains and the region of Western North Carolina where I have had a home for over 10years. As I was working to determine my ‘next steps’ in my career, serendipity stepped in and presented a unique opportunity for me in joining MAHEC to build this program. At risk of sounding like a cliché, it was a bit ‘magical’. I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity.
I could not be more excited to partner with the MAHEC organization, the community, the talented faculty members, and the trainees in creating a unique program designed to train well-rounded internists that are focused on serving their community as physicians, leaders and teachers.
I have been hiking, kayaking and traveling in Western North Carolina for years. I am excited to make Asheville my true home base for travel and adventure. When I am not here, you can find me traveling with my husband and my three girls … we will usually be in a National Park or overseas!
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Undergraduate: Texas A&M University Medical School: Baylor University, College of Medicine Internship: Internal Medicine, Primary Care, University of Colorado Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Mississippi Chief Resident: Internal Medicine, University of Mississippi Past faculty appointments: University of Louisville (Associate Program Director, Medical Director)
Dr. Nancy Kubiak has a long history of involvement in graduate medical education in Internal Medicine, having served as an Associate Program Director and as the director of an Internal Medicine Resident and Fellow Outpatient Practice. She has been repeatedly recognized for teaching excellence by her past institutions and trainees, and led curricular innovations in both primary care and in the foundations of quality improvement. She is joining MAHEC as an experienced educator, associate program director and medical clinical director.
It seems like my whole life has been preparing me for this opportunity to come to Asheville and work with our new internal medicine residency. I have always loved outpatient medicine and resident education. I am excited to use my experience to create a great outpatient practice for learning and patient care in a way that prepares residents to become excellent, well rounded internists.
I love learning alongside residents and other professionals and working in teams to create opportunities to learn internal medicine, quality improvement, and patient care that improve outcomes in learners and in patients. One of the reasons I chose to come to MAHEC was the singular focus on their mission. Everyone focuses on preparing the next generation of excellent physicians to provide exceptional primary care to every individual, no matter what his or her circumstances may be. My career has been spent working to improve care of the underserved. I was thrilled to find a vibrant, thoughtful, and excellent organization that shared those goals, and honored that they chose to hire me for this position.
My husband, Alan and I are proud of our sons Mark and Scott and look forward to exploring Western North Carolina. We love traveling and our high energy dogs, Lola and Jake. We are excited to join and invest in the Asheville community and experience all the great outdoor and cultural events the area has to offer.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Undergraduate: Scripps College, School for International Training, Nairobi, Kenya Medical School: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans Internship: Emergency and Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Residency: Emergency and Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Chief Residency: Emergency and Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University
Past faculty appointments:I moved to Asheville with a one year old and a three year old - it was a wonderful place to relocate my family, but I missed academic medicine. I was thrilled to be invited to be a part of the teaching faculty for the MAHEC family medicine residents about a year after arriving. Since then, my weeks with the residents are truly my happiest in the hospital.
I love being a part of resident growth - watching physicians grow over the years from somewhat timid interns to confident third years ready to practice independently. Knowing that I might have played a small part in that journey brings me such joy.
There is so much more to the practice of medicine than the actual science. I believe that is the easy part. It is learning how to practice the art of medicine, taking care of the entire patient, their families and understanding all of the additional facets of patient care.
I am so excited for this new adventure with MAHEC! I have been waiting for this opportunity to come to WNC since I arrived and cannot think of a better organization to partner with to help educate the next generation of internal medicine physicians.
On a personal note I have two children, Ellie and Brooks, that have loved growing up in WNC where my parents are also located. Although we love to travel at every opportunity we can, they especially love going to visit NYC to visit my grandmother. Our home is full of puppy love with our two Great Danes, Annie and Scooby. I can be found on the trails on my off days training for my next adventure.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Undergraduate: University of Illinois Medical School: University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine Residency: Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Master's Degree in Education: University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Past faculty appointments: Professor of Medicine, University of Cincinnati Program Director of the Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Residency Program in Cincinnati Program Director of the Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Residency Program in Cincinnati
For 30 years Dr. Caroline Mueller has been a primary care physician, and her goal was nurturing residents in their knowledge, skills, and relationships with patients over their years of training in both the ambulatory and inpatient settings. She was the first resident to train as a med-peds resident at the program in Cincinnati, so she knows what is involved to be a resident who is blazing trails. She was the Program Director for the Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency for many years, during which time the residency became one of the most successful in the country, but it was the opportunity to provide a challenging yet secure training environment that motivated her most. To be able to say "I have your back" to young physicians who are pushing themselves to be their best is a great honor. Other roles included ward team attending, student clinic attending, and humanism in medicine preceptor.
The Internal Medicine Residency at MAHEC is an amazing opportunity for all of us! It is rare to have the chance to build something that will last for generations to come, and impact thousands of lives for the better. MAHEC is an ideal place for this to happen as they have created quite a few training programs, and all of them have been very successful. Their approach is inclusive, caring, dedicated and open. These are people who deeply care for their community and the patients they serve. It is an honor to be able to join them in the endeavor.
Outside of work, I love all things natural including wild spaces, gardens, plants, mountains, streams. I enjoy hiking, running, kayaking, biking and my dogs.
Undergraduate: Roanoke College Medical School: VCOM - Virginia Residency: MAHEC Internal Medicine
Elaina was always interested in science and planned to go into medicine ever since she relinquished her dream of training dolphins in middle school. She was initially interested in pathology but after spending time teaching rural patients on medical school rotations, she knew that internal medicine aligned best with her passions. Elaina went to college and medical school along the Appalachian mountains in Virginia and greatly enjoyed working with the rural communities. When she found MAHEC, she knew immediately that their mission aligned with hers and has loved being in Asheville ever since.
I love all the outdoor activities Asheville offers. I have recently started gardening and so I am spending a lot of my time tinkering with that. Hiking and camping in the area is always fantastic and so a great deal of my weekends are spent out in the mountains. I am not very brave in the cold weather, so I can more often be found reading and grabbing meals and drinks with friends in the winter. I have two cats who are both angels and monsters and keep me on my toes. Asheville has quickly become home and I look forward to living and working here for many years!
Undergraduate: Georgia Institute of Technology Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Residency: MAHEC Internal Medicine
Evelyn’s route to Internal Medicine began by way of a computer science degree and a job in corporate America. She began her career as an IT Management Analyst with Waste Management, and after a year in the industry, she decided to change career paths to pursue medicine. While completing prerequisites, she worked as a scribe in her hometown Emergency Department and instantly knew she made the right decision to transition to medical field. Once in her clerkship years of medical school, she found that she enjoyed building relationships with patients and evaluating patient data to help diagnose medical conditions. Little did she know that the year of being a data analyst with Waste Management would prove beneficial to her skills of diagnosing patient’s medical conditions. After each rotation during residency, she found herself thinking, “I could specialize in this,” and ultimately came full circle back to loving general internal medicine. She also discovered a love to teach others and was honored to be selected as a Chief Resident with the hopes of working towards a career in Academic Internal Medicine.
In my free time, I love to hike, eat, and cook. I grew up hiking in the foothills of the Appalachians near my hometown, Gainesville, GA. Asheville and the surrounding area is a hiking mecca. I personally love the trails in Montreat and Pisgah National Forest. My second favorite thing to do is get a beer after a long hike, and the options for breweries are endless – well about 61 options last time I checked. My husband and I love to go to New Origin. We actually got engaged there! The food scene in Asheville is also vast with such a wide range of cuisine. There’s everything from local farm to table to Ethiopian. It feels like a new restaurant is opening every day. My other favorite spot is the WNC Farmer’s Market. I love going on a Sunday afternoon to get my produce for the week, and then come back home to meal prep with fresh, local ingredients. I am so grateful for such an amazing city!
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: Davidson College
Medical School: Harvard
Residency: Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Professor Emeritus: Emory University School of Medicine
Dr. Nathan Spell served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps immediately after residency and then joined the department of medicine at Emory University as a general internist. In his 25 years at Emory, he held several education leadership roles—resident clinic director in his ambulatory practice, then associate program director, and ultimately associate dean for education and professional development, including oversight of CME (Continuing Medical Education). He held administrative positions as medical director of his practice and 10 years as Chief Quality Officer for Emory University Hospital, including starting the Emory Quality Academy for professional development in quality improvement. He joined MAHEC in August 2023 as department chair.
My professional passions are in the growth and development of physicians, interprofessional education, quality and safety, and addressing professional and health disparities. I was attracted to MAHEC because of how well the role of chair fits my experience and because of the infectious passion for the mission among everyone I’ve met here. My outlets are mountain trail running and spending weekends planning, shopping, and cooking meals for family and friends.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: University of Florida Medical School: LECOM- Bradenton Residency: Northside Hospital/ USF Morsani College of Medicine
I was born and raised in Florida. As an avid climber and hiker, I knew he could not stay in the pancake state forever. Throughout my training I gravitated towards critically ill patients requiring acute interventions. After graduating residency, I was given an opportunity to start my career somewhere with both a high acuity and opportunity to teach.
I started my career at Mission with a certain mindset. Internists should be able to manage any situation thrown at them. I am excited to be creating the procedural curriculum here at MAHEC. I feel residents should be trained to provide a comprehensive set of services when treating patients, whether that be with medications, diagnostic ultrasound, or procedures.
I have a variety of hobbies but primarily I’ve been focusing my energy on learning to climb. I’ve been slowly making my way out of the gym onto the crag and have found much growth facing my fears.
Undergraduate: Duke University (1989)
Medical School: University of North Carolina School of Medicine (1993)
Internship: East Carolina School of Medicine (1993-1994)
Residency: University of Virginia Health Sciences Center (1994-1997)
Fellowship: University of Virginia Health Sciences Center/Epilepsy (1997-1998)
Dr. Armstrong has been practicing general neurology with a focus on epilepsy in Asheville, NC, since 1998. Prior to forming Asheville Neurology Specialists with Dr. Jim Patton, Dr. Armstrong was a member of Mountain Neurologic Associates. In addition to the outpatient office practice, he holds monthly clinics at several NC DHHS Centers for intellectually and developmental disabled patients (Black Mountain Center, J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, and Caswell Developmental Center).
I am a lifelong Asheville resident and have been lucky to return to the area to practice medicine and raise a family with my wife, Martha. I have been able to enjoy the region with trail running and backpacking and was fortunate to be the Scoutmaster of Troop 72 in Skyland for five years. I recently completed my master's degree in history at Western Carolina University and hope to begin my second career in undergraduate history education over the next few years. We enjoy having residents come to our office to help build their confidence in neurologic exam and diagnosis and hopefully build relationships for the long term as they settle into practice in the mountains.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Undergraduate: Indiana University Medical School: New York Medical College Residency: Montefiore Medical Center, Primary Care and Social Medicine
Since 2008, I have worked in WNC as an internal medicine hospitalist. I have been involved in teaching MAHEC residents from all programs on the inpatient teaching service. Over the years, I served as medical director of the inpatient diabetes program creating a unique team of providers caring for patients with inpatient hyperglycemia and diabetes. I also served as the chairperson of the Mission Health Diversity Committee from 2011-2015, educating healthcare workers on implicit bias and identifying local healthcare disparities.
Working at MAHEC has given me the chance to teach in the clinical setting as well as speak at conferences and mentor the students in the MAHEC Medical Mentoring Program. MAHEC’s philosophy on education and community involvement is outstanding. Their commitment to health disparities is an important part of healthcare. I am currently serving as the co-chair of the MAHEC GME DEI committee where we are focused on holistic recruiting, supporting URiM residents, and educating on health disparities and vulnerable populations.
I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to teach internal medicine residents in MAHEC’s new residency. Acting as teaching faculty not only contributes to the future of medicine but also makes me a better clinician. I am grateful for the challenge to build a successful internal medicine residency that will serve WNC for years to come.
I am a big fan of hobbies when I have the time. I love to play guitar, bake, make kombucha, sew, and garden. I live with my son, dog, and two small tiger kitties. We enjoy hiking, camping, and just sitting around a fire pit with friends and family.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Undergraduate: University of Virginia Medical School: Med University of South Carolina Internship: University of Texas Southwestern Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Chief Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Fellowship: Duke University, Cardiology Faculty Appointments: University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Cardiology exposure during Internal Medicine training is critically important. Asheville Cardiology Associates is a large subspecialty practice that provides the only tertiary Cardiology care for a large portion of Western North Carolina. We see an incredible array of pathology and are fortunate enough to have access to advanced imaging and procedural technology to care for them locally. We have always tried to maintain an academic feel to our practice. Case Presentations and Cardiology Grand Rounds occur every Tuesday and we have an active Research program in addition to our busy practice. My partners come from training programs all over the country to practice at ACA and in the Mountains of Western NC. IM training has been a missing piece. We are excited to add that to our model and look forward to having Interns and Residents on Rounds and in Conference.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: University of Winnipeg
Medical School: University of Manitoba
Residency: Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Alberta
Dr. Bunio began his medical career at the University of Manitoba where he was one of two medical students selected to complete 1st year pathology residency between his 2nd and 3rd years of medical school. After graduation, he completed his family medicine residency at Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta, during the 1988 Winter Olympics. He ran a successful private practice for many years before exploring family medicine in such diverse locations as Canada’s arctic circle, Saudi Arabia, and St. Lucia before settling in Western North Carolina where he has worked for the Cherokee Indian Health Authority for the past 25 years. He was appointed the Clinical Director for the hospital in 2017 and subsequently assumed the additional roles of Medical Director for Tribal Public Health and Human Services and the Medical Director for the Tribal Option Medicaid program, the first Native American Managed Care entity in the country. He is passionate about Quality and Performance Improvement and leads a number of Quality Improvement initiatives in Cherokee every year.
I feel blessed to work with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and am eternally grateful that MAHEC Internal Medicine Residents get to spend time here. Not only do we learn a great deal from these bright minds but we have the chance to share the nuances of Cherokee and AI/AN culture benefits with all of our patients no matter where the residents choose to continue their careers. The Tribal Health System is particularly nourishing for my soul coming from another Universal Health System in Canada. Also, the value we place on continuous quality improvement is perfectly aligned with MAHEC and I look forward to our collaboration for many years to come. When not brainstorming over quality initiatives, I enjoy cooking, reading, brewing, and curling.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY Medical School: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY Residency: Internal Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA Chief Resident: Internal Medicine, Emory Hospital, Atlanta, GA Nephrology Fellowship: Emory University, Atlanta, GA Past Faculty Appointments: Associate Professor of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
I joined Mountain Kidney and Hypertension in 1996. The physicians and advanced practitioners of MKHA provide comprehensive nephrology care in offices, dialysis clinics and/or hospitals in 11 Western North Carolina counties.
I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the MAHEC Internal Medicine Residents and hope to share my enthusiasm for the privilege to serve patients with challenging and complicated illnesses.
My wife and I have spent more than 35 years raising 3 young men, hiking, camping and now tending the vegetables, fruit trees and flowers on our farm.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Undergraduate: Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC
Medical School: UNC Chapel Hill
MPH: UNC Chapel Hill
Internships: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Residency: University of Virginia
I was born and raised just one county over in Clyde, so moving back to Western North Carolina was in a literal sense “coming home.” In my time at MAHEC, I’ve immensely enjoyed meeting new patients, working with our fantastic group of residents, and soaking up some of the clinical wisdom and mentorship coming from my colleagues who have years of practice and experience. Primary care is my passion—being the first person that patients come to, having the opportunity to advocate for them, and helping them navigate our complex medical system is challenging but so incredibly rewarding.
I enjoy working with our students as the UNC School of Medicine site director for Internal Medicine. I also run our procedure clinic where we perform a host of dermatologic and musculoskeletal procedures. Within the realm of doctoring, my interests lie in improving health disparities in rural communities and training future doctors to thrive in caring for underserved populations. Outside of medicine, I love to travel—hopefully, one day, I will make it to all seven continents—and, of course, hiking as many trails as I can find in Western North Carolina.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: University of Georgia, BS in Psychology Graduate School: University of Alabama at Birmingham, MA/PhD in Developmental Psychology Medical School: Mercer University, Macon Campus Internship: Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University Residency: Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University Chief Residency: Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University
I have been involved in academics my entire life in one form or another. After college, I spent 6 years in Birmingham as a developmental psychologist, teaching statistics, and doing research on cognitive development in children on the autism spectrum. I switched things up in 2013 and moved to Macon for medical school, after which I had the great privilege of completing my Med-Peds training at VCU from 2017-2021.
Shortly after residency I moved to Asheville and took a job as a hospitalist at Mission, primarily to have the opportunity to work with the IM residents and be part of the exciting early years of this residency program. I am looking forward to watching the residents grow and develop their skills over the years here.
In my free time, I love doing anything outdoors, including camping, hiking, and swimming with my incredible wife and our two dogs. I love to travel when I can (and public health considerations allow), and I am actively trying to visit as many of the great restaurants and breweries in Asheville as possible!
Pronouns: he/him/his
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Residency: University of Illinois – Chicago
Fellowship: Brown University
I joined Asheville Pulmonary Associates in 2018 after moving to the area post training. As part of the practice, I take care of outpatient pulmonary and sleep medicine patients as well as round in our medical ICUs at Mission Hospital. I am excited to coordinate the ICU rotation for the internal medicine residency program. The ICU experience is an essential aspect of inpatient medicine training with a great breadth of pathology. It allows trainees to really focus on each patient’s medical pathology in detail and build relationships with patients and families to develop appropriate treatment strategies.
Like many other people attracted to this area, I like to get outdoors in my free time exploring the nearby mountains while running or biking.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: UNC-Chapel Hill
Medical School: UNC-Chapel Hill
Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Fellowship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Past Faculty Appointments: UNC-Chapel Hill
After completing my undergraduate education at UNC-Chapel Hill, I taught high school science in Denver, CO, for three years while also obtaining my master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I returned to medical school at UNC-Chapel Hill and later completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. I joined Asheville Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates in 2020. I was drawn to ICU medicine for several reasons including the procedural aspect, getting real-time physiologic feedback in the management of patients, and the chance to apply both my internal medicine training and my subspecialty training. I also appreciate the opportunity to care for patients in all different settings including clinics, hospital floors, long-term acute care settings, and the ICU.
When I'm not working, you can find me doing stereotypical Ashevillian activities like fly fishing, trail running, camping with my family, or reading.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: BS in Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill
Medical School: Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
Chief Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
Dr. Hulkower serves as Core Faculty for the MAHEC Internal Medicine Residency Program, as Course Director for the Internal Medicine Acting Internship for the Asheville Campus of the UNC School of Medicine, and as Medical Director for the Mission Hospital Diabetes Management Team.
In 2017, I had the privilege of moving back to Asheville with our growing family to work at Mission Hospital as a Hospitalist, where I have thoroughly enjoyed working as an attending on the inpatient medicine teaching service with MAHEC residents. My clinical philosophy is focused on providing high-quality clinical care while also coordinating resources to help address the social determinants of health to improve long-term health outcomes for our patients and the community. Evidence-based patient care and teaching are at the center of everything we do at MAHEC. Internal Medicine residents training here have a unique opportunity to learn from world-class educators at an academic center with state-of-the-art facilities yet still maintain the comfort and support typically associated with smaller community-based residency programs. I enjoy working with residents because of their eagerness to learn and willingness to put themselves out there and ask great questions. This allows me to teach core concepts of medicine that I hope will last a lifetime. Quite frequently, I am challenged to refresh my own medical knowledge and to stay up-to-date with the most recent medical literature. Working with residents makes me a better and more well-rounded physician. Asheville has an amazing combination of access to outdoor activities as well as world-class restaurants, art studios, and music venues, not to mention the opportunity to work in a nationally recognized health system. My hobbies include soccer, hiking, playing with my kids, and a great deal of dad jokes.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: Rhodes College, Memphis TN Graduate: University of Tennessee, Memphis Internship: Internal Medicine, University of Utah, SLC Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Utah, SLC Chief Resident: Internal Medicine, University of Utah, SLC
I knew I wanted to be a career Hospitalist while on my very first inpatient teaching rotation while in medical school. I have always enjoyed learning together the practice of Internal Medicine, whether it be on teaching rounds or in an interactive classroom setting. I reluctantly left that warm teaching atmosphere and came to Asheville NC in order to be closer my family, because of the strong reputation of Mission Hospital and its staff, and for the many recreational and life opportunities that WNC has to offer.
My perfect day outside of the hospital starts with a cool morning trail run to a trout-filled mountain stream and ends sharing a craft beer, food truck meal and bluegrass band with family or friends. Now I am very excited that my perfect day in the hospital will again include the wonderful opportunity to share my 10+ years of experience in Hospital Medicine with eager Internal Medicine interns and residents.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Undergraduate: Walla Walla University Medical School: Loma Linda University Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham Fellowship: Geriatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
After residency, Dr. Lau-Julien subspecialized in geriatrics. Her interests include whole-person care, complex medical-psychosocial situations, care transitions, and collaborative interprofessional care. She is excited to be living her dream of being an educator and enjoys the mutual learning that comes with working with resident physicians. Having learners on the team pushes every person to be intentional in their choices and interactions, and patient care is better for it. When not at work, you can find her making new (vegetarian) recipes in the kitchen or hiking to favorite picnic spots on the Blue Ridge with her husband.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: Amherst College Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine Residency: University of Colorado Internal Medicine Residency, Primary Care Track Past Faculty Appointments: Assistant Professor, Emory University School of Medicine at Grady Memorial Hospital and the Grady Infectious Disease Program (IDP)
Throughout his career, Dr. Livingston has sought to be an empowered generalist connecting underserved patients to the highest quality care. In his clinical experience at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, a comprehensive HIV clinic, and a clinic for low-income seniors, he has obtained the clinical skills and knowledge to independently manage a broad range of health concerns. In turn, he has served as a mentor to students and residents pursuing this path. At Emory University, he developed the Distinction in HIV Medicine, a longitudinal curriculum for internal medicine residents to gain expertise in caring for people living with HIV. Fluent in Spanish, he provided culturally sensitive care in Grady’s International Medical Center. He achieved distinction as Assistant Professor and Senior Physician and was recognized by the house staff with the Annette Bernard Outpatient Teaching Award.
More recently, Dr. Livingston served as a primary care physician and partner in a clinic system providing comprehensive geriatric care. He also served as an internal consultant for HIV and hepatitis C treatment, in a setting where external referrals were often cost-prohibitive for patients. In addition, he served as Regional Director of Informatics, facilitating changes to the EHR to improve patient safety and provider efficiency. Dr. Livingston’s experience in urban settings parallels the challenging environment that physicians often face in rural settings. He looks forward to training the next generation of physicians, and facilitating their growth to become excellent clinicians and true advocates for their patients.
I was traveling with my family for fall break in Asheville, when we drove past the MAHEC clinic facilities. After working in full time clinical practice for several years, I had been looking for an opportunity to get back to clinical teaching. As an avid hiker and trail runner, I was thrilled to find a new program in such a beautiful location. My wife and I cannot wait to explore the many trails and peaks in western North Carolina. We look forward to meeting like-minded people that enjoy life in the outdoors. My children are old enough to hike a few miles, and still young enough to laugh at dad jokes.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: Utah State University Medical School: University of Utah Residency: Internal Medicine/Pediatrics at University of Cincinnati
During Jorgen's residency in Internal Medicine/Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital, he completed the medical education pathway through the development of LGBTQ health curriculum. He is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society as well as the AOA honor society. He is the recipient of the Gold Headed Cane Award as well as the Compassion in Medicine award which is awarded annually to a physician showing exemplary interest in patient care. During medical school he co-founded the first free PrEP clinic in the state of Utah which continues to provide HIV prevention to those who are uninsured or at high risk of HIV.
Jorgen has a passion for LGBTQ health as well as focusing on health disparities within underserved populations. His work has focused on advocating for the rights of LGBT individuals, particularly those of trans youth within schools and within the healthcare system. He was drawn to MAHEC because of their mission to serve underserved populations. Having grown up in a rural community himself, Jorgen believes that everyone should have access to quality care regardless of where they live. He believes that LGBT people should feel safe to exist in all spaces and communities, urban and rural. Being from Utah, he is passionate about hiking and spending time outdoors. He was drawn to Asheville for the natural beauty and the welcoming inclusivity that is felt throughout. He and his husband fell in love with Asheville when they drove the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time. They were engaged and married in Asheville and hope to raise a family here as well.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: Duke University Medical School: University of South Florida Residency: Internal Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR Fellowship: Infectious Diseases Fellowship, Case Western/University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH
Dr. Mahan has a wide range of medical interests. He started his career doing both laboratory and clinical research in HIV, immunology, and tuberculosis. More recently, he has focused his efforts on medical student, resident, and faculty education at the VA Hospital. He also remains involved in recruitment for several multi-center infectious disease research studies. He is currently the Assistant Chief of Medicine for Education and Research.
I am a passionate teacher. I love the practice of medicine and sharing its wonders with IM students and residents. I try to maintain a healthy work-life balance. I continue to do medical writing—I am co-author of "Medical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple" and author of "Are You Afraid of Snakes? A doctor’s exploration of alternative medicine." I also am an avid hiker, biker, kayaker, and family man. I have a wife and three boys.
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Internship: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Internal Medicine
Residency: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Internal Medicine
Fellowship: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gastroenterology
Dr. May spent 13 out of his 14 educational/training years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As an undergrad, he played varsity basketball for the UNC Tarheels and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated UNC Medical School with honors. He enjoys the diverse patient population and disease processes as well as the balance between clinical and procedural work. Dr. May has a passion for practicing gastroenterology and has a subspecialty interest in endoscopic ultrasound and hemorrhoidal treatment.
I have been living in Asheville for 25 years. I am married to my wife, Lisa, who is a dermatologist in town. We have three children who have all graduated from college and moved away from Asheville. My hobbies include biking, reading, and gardening. Lisa and I love to travel, especially with family and friends. My interests and connection to Asheville/MAHEC started in medical school where we had the opportunity to work and see different parts of North Carolina.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: University of Georgia, BA/BS Economics and Genetics
Medical School: Emory University MD/MPH
Residency: Oregon Health and Science University
I have worked as a hospitalist since completing residency, both in teaching and in private hospitals, and really enjoy the pace and team environment of hospital medicine. Inpatient medicine can be hard, but its certainly never boring!
I like working as part of a team, and residents add a special perspective and enthusiasm to the work we do in the hospital. I have interests in evidence based practice and humanism in medicine and look forward to sharing that with the team.
When I am not in the hospital I love spending time outdoors with my family hiking, biking, fishing, and seeing the occasional bear in the neighborhood. I also pick a little guitar and banjo.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Medical School: Kakatiya Medical College, India
Residency: Suburban Community Hospital, PA
Past Faculty Appointments: Assistant Professor of General Surgery, India
Specialty of Interest: Academic Hospital Medicine
Dr. Patlolla serves as core faculty for the MAHEC Internal Medicine Residency Program and has a deep understanding of clinical medicine, particularly hospital medicine, with a focus on acute and chronic care in inpatient settings. He is a strong advocate for healthcare access in suburban and rural populations, drawing from personal roots in a small village in South India. With a foundation built on experience in both India and the U.S., Dr. Patlolla values diversity in patient care and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on individuals from all walks of life. He is driven by the intellectual challenge of diagnosing and managing a wide range of conditions, from acute illnesses to chronic diseases, and appreciates the integrated approach that internal medicine allows in treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms. Dr. Patlolla's passion extends beyond clinical practice to educating and mentoring the next generation of physicians, helping them navigate the intricacies of internal medicine with compassion and competence.
I am a proud husband and a father of two and love to spend my time with my family. Asheville is a wonderful place to raise a family. It has great food and music scene for the city of its size, and we love to explore various cuisines. My hobbies include watching football and soccer as well as traveling with my family. I deeply appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds Asheville, from its stunning mountain landscapes to the peaceful, scenic trails that offer a perfect escape into nature. The slower pace of life and the warmth of Southern hospitality resonates with me, creating a sense of balance and tranquility. Whether it is enjoying a quiet walk or simply spending time outdoors with my family, Asheville’s blend of nature and community makes it the ideal place to call home.
Undergraduate: Tulane University in New Orleans, LA
Medical School: Texas Tech University HSC in El Paso, TX
Residency: Tulane University in New Orleans, LA
Fellowship: Duke University in Durham, NC
Specialty: Nephrology
Dr. Robbins completed his undergraduate studies at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, with a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology. Following a 10-year period where he taught middle school science, worked as a Peace Corp volunteer in Ukraine, and obtained a master's degree in biology, he attended medical school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, TX. His medical training included a residency in Internal Medicine at Tulane University and a fellowship in Nephrology at Duke University in Durham, NC. He is currently a nephrologist with Mountain Kidney & Hypertension Associates where his areas of interest include resistant hypertension and dysnatremias.
I’m an outdoor enthusiast which played a big part in my decision to relocate to Asheville after completing fellowship. I’m also an avid runner, rescue dog advocate, English Premier League fan, and New Orleans Saints fanatic…Who Dat!?
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: Furman University, Greenville, SC
Medical School: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Internship and Residency: Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Chief Resident: Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Fellowship: Rheumatology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Faculty Appointment: Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Dr. Smith has practiced rheumatology at Asheville Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center since 1999, caring for adults and children of all ages. He has been the rheumatology subspecialty education coordinator for the MAHEC Family Practice Residency since 1999, and rheumatology subspecialty education coordinator for the MAHEC Internal Medicine Residency since the program began in 2021. He is a past president of the North Carolina Rheumatology Association, directs the Western North Carolina Rheumatology Journal Club, and has been an author for UpToDate since 1997.
I am married and have two adult children. My passions are outdoor activities, including running, biking, kayaking, hiking, snow skiing, and camping.
Pronouns: he/him/his
I attended medical school, internal medicine residency, and hematology/oncology fellowship at the University of Miami. I moved from south Florida to Asheville 5 years ago, and have been proudly working for Messino Cancer Centers since its inception in 2020. I see patients in Asheville and at our satellite office in Sylva. We also have satellite clinics in Brevard, Franklin, Spruce Pines, and Marion. Aside from seeing patients in our clinics, we also manage an inpatient and consult service at Mission Memorial Hospital. The training program I graduated from had a strong emphasis on teamwork and continual learning, and I am excited to bring that same spirit to this program. I spend most of my free time with my wife and five kids, exploring the natural beauty and great restaurants and breweries that Asheville has to offer.
Undergraduate: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Medical School: University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
Residency: George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC
Past Faculty Appointments: Mountain Diabetes & Endocrine Center
Specialty: Endocrinology
Dr. Weinrib has practiced general adult endocrinology in Asheville since 2002, after first practicing in his hometown of Montgomery, AL, for five years. He has long taught healthcare professionals-in-training, given professional lectures and community talks, conducted clinical research, and provided endocrine care for the uninsured in Buncombe (ABCCM), Henderson, and Polk (The Free Clinics) counties over the last two decades. Dr. Weinrib enjoys educating patients about their endocrine conditions and offering options for individualized treatment. He has a special interest in the treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, and the many forms of diabetes mellitus. He looks forward to expanding MAHEC’s endocrine services across WNC through partnerships, technology, and innovation.
True to my background as a history major in college, I enjoy reading about seminal people and events that have shaped our world, as well as about current events, art, and nature. In my spare time, I grow cacti and create new ice cream/sorbet flavors, often with a hint of pepper. Along with my wife, daughter, and dog, I’m happy to go hiking through the woods in WNC, explore the atmospheric streets of Asheville, or check out a local favorite restaurant while traveling.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chemistry and Math
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
Internships/Residency: Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center
Fellowship: Infectious Disease and International Health, Duke University Medical Center
Masters of Health Sciences: Duke University, 2002
Although he was born in Madrid, Spain, and raised in the South Pacific (Kwajalein, Marshall Island), Dr. Whitehouse is a long-term resident of North Carolina who has been fortunate to call Asheville home since 1999. Mission ID has provided him with the perfect practice opportunity with a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient infectious diseases as well as the continuity of HIV care and the excitement of Travel and Tropical medicine. MAHEC, Mission, Asheville, and WNC provide an ideal medical environment and community for training as well as the perfect city and mountains to live in.
Infectious diseases and Infection Prevention are two of my great passions. However, I love to make ample time for golfing, landscaping, hiking, driving down back scenic country roads, and listening to books and podcasts. Asheville has been the ideal place to raise two boys who equally cherish the sunrises over Looking Glass Rock, the Peregrine falcons at Devils Courthouse, and the sunsets at Craggy Gardens.