Ob/Gyn Residency

Dr. Lauren Knowlson joined MAHEC Ob/Gyn Specialists as faculty in August 2019 after completing her Residency training at MAHEC. She received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Doctorate of Medicine degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill. Dr. Knowlson has a passion for residency education, curriculum innovation, and resident wellness/well-being as well as an interest in residency research and simulation. She joined the residency leadership team as Associate Program Director in January 2022 and has served on the Clinical Competency Committee and as both the Outpatient Curriculum Director and Advocacy Curriculum director.

Dr. Knowlson has an interest in obstetrical care and advanced gynecologic care and surgery for women of all ages. She enjoys teaching residents and has special interests in gyn surgery, gyn office-based practice, and pelvic and vulvar health.

Outside of work, she enjoys running and spending time with her family in the beautiful mountains of Western NC.

Dr. Barrow was born and raised in the panhandle of Florida. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Food Science & Human Nutrition and his medical degree at the University of Florida. He completed is Ob/Gyn residency training at University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. He then moved to Brevard in 2010 where he has been practicing full-spectrum Ob/Gyn care since then. He performs gynecologic surgery with a focus on minimally-invasive laparoscopic surgery such as single-site total laparoscopic hysterectomies, among many other procedures for prolapse, incontinence and sterilization. In addition to surgery, he attends deliveries at Mission Hospital on Labor and Delivery and teaches residents. In the office, he sees patients for prenatal and postpartum care, annual wellness visits, ultrasounds, contraceptive counseling, incontinence care and a multitude of procedures. Dr. Barrow has also served as Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery for Transylvania Regional Hospital and earned his Masters of Business Administration in 2018 from University of Florida. He is now honored to be Medical Director for MAHEC Women’s Care at Brevard and remains dedicated to continue providing care to the community for many years to come.

When not at work Dr. Barrow enjoys relaxing with his wife and 2 children, hiking, rowing, lifting weights, woodworking/building, gardening and traveling.

Dr. Bre Bolivar is a recent graduate of the MAHEC Ob/Gyn Residency Program and is delighted to stay in Asheville as a faculty member. She currently works as an Ob/Gyn Hospitalist where her primary role is to care for hospitalized obstetric patients and manage obstetric emergencies. She also provides urgent gynecologic care and consultation for patients in the emergency department or those already admitted to the hospital. Dr. Bolivar also serves as the Patient Safety Officer for Women’s Services at Mission Hospital. Her specific interests include improving management of obstetric hemorrhage and decreasing the rate of cesarean section. She finds joy in helping women feel comfortable during their hospital stay while navigating unexpected experiences. Outside of work, Dr. Bolivar enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.

• Undergraduate: Elon University, majored in biology and chemistry
• Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH
• Ob/Gyn Residency, MAHEC Department of Ob/Gyn, Asheville NC
• Board Certified

Dr. Beth Buys is a general Obstetrician and Gynecologist at MAHEC Ob/Gyn Specialists. Dr. Buys completed her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Hope College, Masters of Science in physiology and biophysics from Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, and Medical School at Indiana University School of Medicine. She moved to Asheville in 1999 for Ob/Gyn residency at MAHEC. After residency she joined the MAHEC faculty. As Department Director, Dr. Buys has a special interest in resident education, ensuring residents today are prepared for a changing healthcare system which will include patient centered care and team based practice. She enjoys practicing the full range of generalist obstetrics and gynecology.

Dr. Buys is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist and an Oral Board Examiner with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Lisa Carroll is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist. She joined the MAHEC Maternal-Fetal Medicine division in 2020 after completing Medical School at the University of North Carolina, Ob/Gyn Residency at Boston Medical Center, and MFM Fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. Throughout her training and career, Dr. Carroll’s clinical and research interests have been guided by her commitment to social justice and equity for marginalized populations.

Dr. Carroll specializes in providing care for women who are ‘at risk’ and considering pregnancy, or those who are experiencing ‘high-risk’ or complicated pregnancies for a variety of reasons. Dr. Carroll sees patients who are undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic procedures such as comprehensive ultrasound, chorionic villus sampling and genetic amniocentesis. She also consults with patients who have medical and surgical disorders coincident with or prior to pregnancy, which includes heart disease, chronic hypertension, diabetes/other endocrinologic disorders, kidney/gastrointestinal diseases and infectious diseases. Otherwise healthy women who may require these services are those whose pregnancies are at markedly increased risk for adverse outcomes, such as those with abnormal serum screens, multiple gestations, recurrent preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes or growth abnormalities of the fetus. Dr. Carroll considers it a great privilege to walk with women through questions and complications that arise in pregnancy in effort to achieve the healthiest possible outcomes for women and their growing families.

Dr. Amelia Cline is a generalist Obstetrician and Gynecologist who joined MAHEC faculty after completing residency at MAHEC Ob/Gyn. Prior to that she received her BSPH at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and attended medical school at UNC School of Medicine.

Dr. Cline enjoys practicing the full spectrum of obstetrics and gynecology including managing high risk pregnancies and gyn care for patients of all ages. She has a special interest in rural medicine and maintaining access to high quality outpatient and surgical care throughout WNC. She works in both MAHEC’s Franklin and Asheville locations as well as Angel Medical Center and Mission Hospital. Outside of work she loves Dolly Parton, cooking, and finding new swimming holes in these beautiful mountains.

Dr. Carol Coulson is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist. She specializes in providing care for women who are ’at risk’ and considering pregnancy or those who are already pregnant and ’high-risk’ or complicated for a variety of reasons. Dr. Coulson sees patients who are undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic procedures such as comprehensive ultrasound, chorionic villus sampling, and genetic amniocentesis. She also consults on patients with medical and surgical disorders coincident with or prior to pregnancy including heart disease, chronic hypertension, diabetes and other endocrinologic disorders, kidney and gastrointestinal diseases, and infectious diseases. Otherwise healthy women who may require these services are those whose pregnancies are at markedly increased risk for adverse outcomes such as those with abnormal serum screens, multiple gestations, recurrent preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, or growth abnormalities of the fetus.

• Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 1997
• Ob/Gyn Residency, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, 2001
• Board Certified

• Medical School: University of Florida, 2008
• Residency: University of Florida, 2012
• MFM Fellowship: University of Florida, 2015
• Board Certified

• University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 1998
• Ob/Gyn Residency, MAHEC Department of Ob/Gyn, Asheville, NC
• Board Certified

• Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU
• Ob/Gyn Residency, MAHEC Department of Ob/Gyn, Asheville, NC
• Board Certified

• Undergraduate: Duke University
• Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
• Residency: MAHEC Department of Ob/Gyn
• Board Certified

Dr. Lisa Foglia joined MAHEC Ob/Gyn Specialists in September 2022. She recently retired from the US Army after over 24 years of service. She completed her Residency and MFM Fellowship at Madigan Army Medical Center. She was most recently the Designated Institutional Official at Womack Army Medical Center at Ft. Bragg, NC. She enjoys teaching residents and fellows and was the OB/Gyn Residency Program Director at Madigan for seven years. She has special interests in medical education, health equity and simulation. She is also active in ACOG, and currently serves as the Chair of the Armed Forces District.

Outside of work, she enjoys hanging out with her dog Sophie, yoga and enjoying all the culinary delights that Asheville has to offer.

Dr. Katherine Grette joined MAHEC Ob/Gyn Specialists in October 2022 from the University of South Alabama, where she completed residency before joining faculty. Dr. Grette has a passion for educating patients about their health, as well as for training resident physicians. Her clinical interests include polycystic ovarian syndrome, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and minimally invasive surgical techniques. She participates in women’s health research and will continue to act as a resource for resident research at MAHEC.

Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, time with family, and an annual two week hunting trip in the Idaho wilderness! She is excited to explore all that Asheville has to offer.

• A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Residency: Womack Army Medical Center, Ft. Bragg, NC
• Board Certified

Dr. Erica Manogue joined MAHEC Ob/Gyn Specialists in February 2022. Her Residency was completed at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center after finishing medical school at the University of South Alabama. After spending a few years in private practice in Atlanta, GA and Auburn, AL, she and her family moved to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Dr. Manogue has an interest in obstetrical and gynecologic care for women of all ages. She enjoys teaching residents and has special interests in pediatric and adolescent gynecology. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 kids, as well as baking and hiking.

Dr. Marietta joined MAHEC Ob/Gyn Specialists in January 2023 after working for seven years as a rural family medicine physician in Polk County, NC. She completed her Family Medicine Residency in 2012 at Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency, and she was board certified in Addiction Medicine in January 2022. She is passionate about caring for pregnant and parenting people with substance use disorders and working to bring these services to more people in rural communities. She also has specific interests in comprehensive reproductive health access, providing gender-affirming care, and teaching medical students and resident physicians. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, hiking, swimming, visiting local fairs and farmers’ markets, and exploring all the beautiful nooks and crannies of Western North Carolina with her family.

Dr. Nathan Mullins is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and addictionologist with expertise in substance used disorders in pregnancy. He works as the medical director for an opioid treatment program as well as part-time faculty for the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) Ob/Gyn residency program. Dr. Mullins earned his medical degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and completed his residency at MAHEC.

Dr. Mullins obtained his DATA-2000 waiver in 2016 and began treating pregnant and postpartum patients with buprenorphine for opioid use disorder as part of a multidisciplinary team at MAHEC where he supervises and educates MAHEC residents and serves as a consultant for community physicians on the treatment of opioid use disorder in pregnant patients. Dr. Mullins is also the medical director for a community-based opioid treatment program that uses both methadone and buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder.

Dr. Ashley Navarro joined MAHEC Ob/Gyn Specialists in September 2022 after completing fellowship in Complex Family Planning at the University of North Carolina and her residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. She received a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at Clemson University and a Masters in Public Health from the University of South Carolina (Go Tigers!). Dr. Navarro has an interest in complex family planning and comprehensive gynecologic and obstetric care. She has special interests in complex contraception management, miscarriage management, and LGBTQI+ care. She enjoys teaching medical trainees and advocating for reproductive justice and equity.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, all outdoor activities, caring for too many houseplants, and spending time with her family and three cats.

• Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• Residency: Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
• Fellowship: Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
• Board Certified

Dr. Kiran Sigmon is a general obstetrician and gynecologist with a particular interest in the diagnosis and management of vulvar skin disease and sexual pain. She started the MAHEC Vulvar Clinic in 2006 to assist other providers in the WNC region with difficult cases including recurrent vaginitis, lichen sclerosis, lichen planus, lichen simplex chronicus and vulvodynia, to name a few. She works with other local providers to provide patients with opportunities to explore treatments including physical therapy, acupuncture, and nutritional counseling. She also helps patients address the psychosocial components of living with chronic pain by working closely with local mental health professionals. Dr. Sigmon feels strongly about educating patients, other providers and the community about issues related to genital health and sexuality, and many local physicians rotate seeing patients with her in the Vulvar Clinic.

• Medical School: Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
• Residency: Walter Reed Army Medical Center/National Capital Consortium
• MPH: Yale University School of Public Health
• Board Certified

• Medical School: UNC
• Residency: University of Pittsburgh
• Fellowship: Northwestern

Dr. Harkness graduated from the University of South Florida School of Medicine. He completed his residency in OB/GYN here in Asheville at MAHEC. Dr. Harkness then completed his fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Minnesota.

Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
Ob/Gyn Residency: University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Center, Magee-Women’s Hospital
Fellowship: University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Center, Magee-Women’s Hospital

Dr. Howden has been practicing UroGynecology in Asheville since 2005, a partner at Western Carolina Women’s Specialty Center. She is married to her husband, Jeff, and they have twin boys, Frank and Charles. Everyone in the family enjoys being outside, swimming, golf, running, baseball, and watching/cheering all things Tarheel!

Dr. Vanderkwaak graduated from the Wayne State College of Medicine. He completed his OB/GYN residency and his fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Aimee Feste is a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) at MAHEC OB/GYN Specialists. She provides personalized care from your first period until after menopause, plus all the important health events in between. Her interests are providing individualized care that focuses on partnering with the woman, and active involvement of clients and families. Aimee’s interests include focusing on health and wellness and physiologic labor and delivery and providing “Centering in Pregnancy” prenatal care.

Cheryl Harrington, MSN, CNM, was drawn to Centering because it offers wonderful continuity of care and the ability to follow a woman all the way through her pregnancy. She appreciates having more time with women to educate, support, and facilitate empowerment for the healthiest pregnancy possible. Cheryl has been married for 17 years and has one canine baby, Porter, a mini bull terrier that looks just like the Target dog. She is the oldest of 12 children, so she has plenty of family. Cheryl lives just outside of Pisgah Forest where she likes to play and enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and learning to swing dance.

Karen Hilbert is a native of Pennsylvania, but has spent her entire medical career in the South. She graduated from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with her Bachelors of Science Degree in nursing. Her first love was labor and delivery and began her career in that field shortly after graduation. After several years as a labor and delivery nurse in several tertiary care hospitals, she pursued her Master’s Degree in nursing from the Medical College of Virginia. She subsequently was Board Certified as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. After working in Northern Virginia, Raleigh, NC, Mt. Pleasant, SC and Greenville, SC she joined MAHEC Women’s Care at Brevard in April 2022.

Karen enjoys taking care of women throughout their lifespan and enjoys establishing long term relationships with her patients and catching up on their lives at each appointment. She has a particular fondness for obstetric patients due to her extensive labor and delivery experience. She enjoys teaching patients about their health so they are active participants in their wellbeing. During her free time, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband and grown twin children. She enjoys reading, cross stitching, photography, gardening and traveling to visit her extended family in Pennsylvania.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Summa Cum Laude, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 1994
• Masters of Science in Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 1996
• School Nurse Certification Program, St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA, 2008

Wendy Jones joined MAHEC Ob/Gyn Specialists in March 2020. She is a Certified Nurse-Midwife, and received her midwifery degree at Oregon Health & Science University, in Portland, OR. Before moving to Western North Carolina, Wendy was working with the Navajo and Hopi populations in Northern Arizona. When she is not working, she likes to run on the trails around Asheville.

Judi Layton has provided full-scope Midwifery and Ob/Gyn care to women in Western North Carolina for the past nine years. During this time, she has educated and assisted patients with substance use access mental health and addiction treatment in rural counties. She is excited to join the MAHEC team and will be providing full-scope care to women in Project Cara and in the Ob/Gyn clinic. Judi received her MSN in Midwifery from the University of Pennsylvania in 2001. She is currently pursuing a Post Graduate Certificate in Psych Mental Health Nursing and plans to specialize in Perinatal Substance Use Disorders and Postpartum psychiatric issues. She is a proud mother of two teenage boys and loves spending time with her family.

Katie Lillethun joined MAHEC OB/GYN Specialists in September 2018. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner who provides full-scope care for women of all ages. Katie received her Masters of Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner Degree from East Tennessee State University and her Bachelors of Science Nursing Degree at Eastern Kentucky University. She also has a degree in English and Film from Emory University. Before joining MAHEC, Katie worked in primary care for more than six years with Hot Springs Health Program in Madison County. She was a nurse for many years at Mission Hospital Emergency Department Level II Trauma Center before returning to school for her Masters’ Degree. Katie’s passion has always been Women’s Health and she enjoys caring for women of all ages. In her spare time, she’s typically engaging in an outdoor activity with her husband and her two young boys.

• Bachelor of Science, Nursing, Rush University College of Nursing, 1996
• Masters of Science, Nursing, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, 2015

• BSN, UNC-Chapel Hill
• CNM, MSN, Vanderbilt University

Dolly Pressley Byrd was born and raised in Western North Carolina. She returned to the area and joined MAHEC in 2005 as a Certified Nurse Midwife. Dolly loves her experience of being "with women through their lifetime"―especially fostering new and growing families. Dolly embraces the shared decision-making model and encourages her patients to be involved in the process of planning their care. In addition to prenatal appointments and attending deliveries at Mission Health Systems, she also provides well-women gynecologic, preconception counseling, and contraceptive services―specializing in IUD and Nexplanon insertions.

• BA, Wake Forest University
• MSN, Yale University
• PhD, UNC Greensboro School of Nursing

Melinda Ramage has worked in women’s health with a focus on substance use disorders and diabetes for the past 10 years. She is passionate about eliminating the stigma associated with substance use disorders and ensuring every woman has access to the quality care. Melinda provides ob/gyn services for women with substance use disorders during pregnancy and throughout the lifespan. As a certified addiction advanced practice provider, Melinda has educated and trained healthcare providers in North Carolina and nationally in evidence-based practices in addiction medicine. Melinda is a board certified nurse practitioner who works directly with our Maternal Fetal Medicine team in management and consultation of our high risk obstetrical patients.. Melinda earned her Bachelor of Science from Purdue University and her Master of Science from Western Carolina University. She is also a certified diabetes educator.

I grew up in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula (the part that often gets left off of national maps) where I was raised to love the outdoors, so I am thrilled to be moving to a place like Asheville that has many similar activities available! I love hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and when I lived in snowy Michigan I was also training my huskies, Juneau and Autumn, to run as a sled-dog team. I enjoy reading and travelling, but also don’t mind a good TV show binge or Lord of the Rings/Hobbit extended DVD or Harry Potter marathon.

I am so excited to join the team at MAHEC. I still remember the post-interview grin that was plastered on my face for weeks, and the feeling of a full soul after exploring Asheville’s mountains and breweries. MAHEC stole my heart with the compassionate residents and faculty, the amazing local and international outreach and advocacy opportunities, and the certainty that I will finish residency as a confident and capable Ob/Gyn. My husband, our pets, and I are looking forward to calling Asheville home.

Have you ever had the visceral feeling that you just belong somewhere? I am lucky enough to have had that feeling a few times in my life. For me, those “somewheres” have been: my friendship with my bestie, Molly; my adopted hometown for the past 11 years, New Orleans; my yoga practice; my marriage with my husband, David; being mama to my sweet daughter, Esmae; and most recently in Asheville with the MAHEC Ob/Gyn Department. On my visit there during interview season, everything about MAHEC just felt right to me, from my hike at John Rock Loop the day before my interview (in which I was swarmed with ladybugs- what luck!), to talking with Dr. Buys about the social justice aspects of public transportation, to getting excited about Centering Pregnancy with Sarah and Liz. I am unbelievably grateful that I get to spend the next four years training at MAHEC!

It was a long and winding road that delivered me to Asheville. I grew up in Texas and developed a passion for learning everything about anywhere that wasn’t the United States. In college I studied abroad in Mexico City, returned to Texas for less than a week and then left for another study abroad program in South Korea. For a while after college I settled for traveling around the States for my work in marketing, but decided I could probably help save the world while also learning about other countries if I got a Master’s degree in International Development, so pursued that. I spent time working and studying in Ghana, Thailand, Vietnam, and finally Haiti, and learned that trying to save the world probably wasn’t my gig, but that I wanted to have the skills to help individual people, one at a time. So, at the tender age of thirty, I went back to school again, this time to my local community college to start prereqs and try my hand at medicine.

Well, med school worked out! It laid the foundation for me to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I fell in love with Ob/Gyn along the way because it allows for long term relationships with patients, has both medical and surgical aspects, and because women’s health is so important to the health of the overall community. My interests within the field include medical equity, addressing social determinants of maternal morbidity and mortality, and quality improvement in healthcare. I am so happy to be embarking on the next step of my journey with everyone at MAHEC.

I earned my undergraduate degree from Albion College in Michigan and then attended medical school at the University of Michigan where I also received a master’s degree in public health. My multicultural upbringing melded Asian, Hispanic, and American cultures and instilled a strong desire in me to know the other via travel and language immersion. During my 20s, I worked and ate my way through culinary-rich Brazil and France. These delicious experiences at home and abroad have made me a food enthusiast; whenever I travel, I always try to do a cooking course or a food tour. As you can imagine, my inner foodie was jumping for joy to know that I would have access to Asheville’s 1,000+ diverse restaurants and cafes during residency. Moreover, I cannot wait to get to know the people and explore the gorgeously rugged landscape of Western North Carolina.

I still remember being in awe of MAHEC on my interview day; I felt like I had finally come home. I was so impressed by the residents and faculty who were personable, competent, and passionate about patient advocacy. As an academic-community hybrid, MAHEC gives me opportunities to empower the community around me while also teaching me the highest standards of evidence-based training. With the beautiful backdrop of the mountains, I have found a home that brings harmony between residency life, family life, and my personal wellness.

Originally from Miami, FL, I studied Industrial Engineering at Florida State University. After graduating, I worked as a logistics expert for ExxonMobil for a few years before turning my life upside down to pursue a career in medicine. I attended Medical School at the University of Michigan where I discovered my passion for women’s health and a love of nature. During my fourth year, I spent a month at Mission Hospital and immediately felt at home. The residents were welcoming, supportive, motivated learners, and excellent teachers. By the end of the month I knew that MAHEC was the perfect place for me to train and grow into the person and physician I want to be.

I am excited to be trading in Michigan winters for breathtaking mountain views. Outside of the hospital, I look forward to hiking, trying new vegan restaurants, and finding new places to curl up with a good book!

Hey everyone! My name is Margaret Power and I’m originally from Bentonville, AR. I am a native Arkie and was raised there my entire life until matching at MAHEC and I am so excited to be in Asheville!!! I went to college at the University of Arkansas- Fayetteville where I played SEC soccer for my entire undergraduate career while completing my major in biochemistry with a minor in business. I took a gap year after college and lived on an island off the coast of Stockholm called Gotland where I played soccer for a club called P18IK. I then returned to Arkansas and worked a couple jobs + travelled to Honduras and Alaska before settling in Little Rock for medical school at UAMS.

I chose MAHEC because it had everything I was looking for in a residency. When I opened my match day letter, I knew it was a perfect personality match. Serving in a community setting has been my dream since I started medical school. I knew that the training and academic opportunities that I would get at MAHEC would be hard to beat. I am currently wrapping up my Masters in Public Health and it was important to me that I match at a program where I could utilize the skills in both degrees that I earned throughout medical school. I have special interests in global health and health impact assessments which I hope to continue to build on as I continue my career as an Ob/Gyn. I am looking forward to diving into the community here in Asheville and working with all the amazing residents at MAHEC. In my free time, I am an avid mountain biker, trail runner and hiker so I can’t wait to take advantage of the surrounding mountains in my spare time. I also love attempting to learn to play guitar, live music, Sunday soccer leagues, and a good book + cup of coffee on my porch. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or if you need an extra player for your soccer team!

I am originally from Baton Rouge, LA but mostly grew up in Greensboro, NC. I attended Wake Forest University for undergrad, where I studied political science and sociology. I took the scenic route to medical school, which included a post-baccalaureate program at UNCG, 6 months living in California, an epic photography road trip with my brother, and a lot of time bartending at First Street Draught House in Winston-Salem, NC (RIP). Some of my most fond memories are from time spent exploring the mountains of Western NC and I am so excited to finally call them home! I love watching sports, working out, and hiking with Lucy the German shepherd!

Hi there! My name is Anneliesse! I’m Denver born but North Carolina raised. Ever since I was little, I have been very sure that I wanted to live in or at least near the mountains. I succeeded in finding myself in the mountains in college when I left Greensboro, NC for Hanover, NH. I earned a BA in Spanish from Dartmouth and then I returned home to Greensboro for four years. During that time, I worked almost every conceivable position in the service industry (but I wasn’t a very good bartender so that role never quite stuck). I worked on food trucks, in fine dining, concert venues and concert halls. I even spent a couple years as a barista.

I was one of the fortunate UNC Chapel Hill medical school students who spent the third year of medical school at MAHEC. I loved it so much that I stayed for my fourth year. I loved that so much that I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else for residency. I started really developing a relationship with the larger Asheville community during the pandemic and I am so honored to be able to get to strengthen and deepen my connection to the area. I love hiking, biking, tubing down the river, and taking in sunny days on the patio of pretty much any brewery with friends. Those are all well and good, but my true passion is karaoke. I’m hoping to always challenge myself to better serve marginalized and rising identities, especially in Appalachia. I’m so excited to keep working with Project CARA, the vulvar clinic, and all of the truly outstanding residents and attendings.

I was born in New York but moved to NC when I was 4 years old. I grew up in the Concentrated Area of Relocated Yankees (aka Cary). I studied Chemistry and Spanish at UNC during undergrad after which I stayed at UNC for medical school. I always had a passion for women's health that only grew during my time in medical school. Once I did my OBGYN rotation, I knew there was no other specialty for me other than Obstetrics & Gynecology. While navigating the Zoom world during a unique residency application process amidst COVID, I knew two things were a must: training with supporting, welcoming co-residents/mentors & working with an underserved patient population. I am so excited and happy to have found my fit with MAHEC OBGYN where I will get to work with incredibly kind, gifted, supportive people while learning how to care for a diverse population in Western Carolina. Being able to venture out and enjoy Asheville's fine dining while photographing the breathtaking mountain views is definitely an added bonus!

I was born in Nashville, TN but spent a good amount of my childhood following my parents around to various European and West African countries for their research. I owe everything to them – they raised my little sisters and I to explore and be lifelong learners. We eventually moved to Wilmington, NC, and ever since then, North Carolina has been home. I ended up at UNC Chapel Hill for my undergraduate degree, majoring in African Studies and Chemistry. Learning Swahili brought me to Kenya and Tanzania, which left me with a deep love and appreciation for East Africa. After graduation I worked in New Orleans as an HIV and sexual health counselor for a local nonprofit. The food! The music! The people! NOLA is another place that will always feel like home. I eventually came back to NC and started working in HIV research at the UNC BATLab (not working with bats, surprisingly). We built apps, websites, and virtual reality experiences for folks newly-diagnosed or living with HIV. It was an incredible experience. After a couple of years in research, I found myself missing the clinical space, one-on-one counseling, and basic science. So, after an anything-but-straightforward journey, I moved down the street to attend UNC School of Medicine.

I had the privilege of spending my third year of medical school in Asheville. The faculty and residents at MAHEC are the reason I chose OB/GYN. Their dedication to serving western NC, addressing health disparities, and creating a more inclusive space for LGBTQ+ folks represent the ideals I want to fulfill as a physician. I am honored to call this community home and to learn from such a hardworking, kind group of people. I’m particularly interested in obstetrics, rural health, and gender-affirming care.

In my free time you’ll find me reading on my porch, tending to my plant children, or rock climbing with my wonderful partner, Nick. I am in awe of everything western NC has to offer – beautiful mountains, great hiking, and world class climbing. We bring our one-eyed husky, Nadine, with us everywhere. She’s hard to miss, so please say hello if you see us at a local brewery or eatery.

I grew up in Connecticut, and have lived in the Northeast my whole life, so I’m excited to begin a new journey down South. I attended Brown University as an undergraduate where I studied psychology, then headed up to Boston to get my masters degree at Tufts and work as a medical scribe for a year before finally heading to medical school at UConn. During medical school, I became passionate about reproductive justice as well as LGBTQ+ and gender diverse reproductive healthcare. I am lucky enough to have family in Asheville so I have gotten to know the beautiful and diverse community through them, and I feel privileged to continue my training at MAHEC.

Outside of medicine, I love musical theater, my cats, my plants, weightlifting, and having adventures with my amazing partner. I can’t wait to explore North Carolina!

Hello! My name is Mieke Fortune. I am from Fredericksburg, Virginia, which is approximately 1hr south of Washington, D.C. I studied Biology and Spanish at Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduating, I wore multiple hats as a medical scribe, substitute teacher, and a volleyball referee. I attended medical school at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. It was at Meharry where I fell in love with OB/GYN and serving underserved communities. My personal interests include playing volleyball, running, spending time with my family, binging shows on Netflix and traveling. I am excited to join the MAHEC family and discover all the amazing things Asheville has to offer!

Hello! My name is Danetta Green, and I am from Sumter, SC. I attended Emory University for my undergraduate education, where I received a BS in Biology and a BA in Psychology/Linguistics. After college, I spent two gap years working at Emory’s Office of Undergraduate Admission before beginning my medical school training at the University of South Carolina, School of Medicine, Greenville. As a medical student, I was involved in multiple organizations, including SNMA, LMSA, CMDA, and various programs/organizations that work to uplift and empower individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. I fell in love with the Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialty due to the limitless opportunities for me to guide and advocate for my future patients! With a commitment to providing equitable, compassionate, and patient-centered care to everyone, I knew that MAHEC would be the perfect fit for me! I am incredibly excited to begin my journey as a MAHEC Ob/Gyn resident!!!

My interests include addressing and reducing social/racial disparities in healthcare; increasing access to care for medically underserved patients; patient education and advocacy; and global health initiatives. For fun, I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends, planning events, creating schedules, watching Sci-fi and Marvel movies, exploring new places and restaurants, and singing Hamilton the musical/Pentatonix/Gospel/R&B at the top of my lungs while air drumming!

I’m from Camden, a small town on the coast of Maine. I grew up exploring the ocean, lakes, rivers, and mountains of Maine. I love cooking, knitting, skiing, hiking, and nearly every water activity. I attended Bates College in Lewiston, ME, where I studied biology and public health. After college, I worked as a clinical research assistant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA and then spent a year serving with AmeriCorps for Playworks, a non-profit harnessing the power of play to teach social-emotional skills and conflict resolution, at an elementary school in Dorchester, MA. After a nice break from academia, I started medical school at Tufts University in their Maine Track program.

In medical school, my interest in reproductive health grew and I fell in love with OB/GYN. I love being a jack-of-all-trades, building longitudinal relationships while also serving patients acutely and supporting people in a time of crisis. I spent my third and fourth years of medical school in Maine and became interested in rural health, I can’t wait to further this passion as I start my career in Western Carolina. I strongly believe that the role of a physician is to be not only a healthcare provider but a teacher and an advocate. During my interview at MAHEC, I found these values echoed by the residents and faculty, along with a warm and inviting culture that could be felt even virtually over Zoom. I am beyond excited to begin residency with such supportive and welcoming people and explore Asheville’s restaurants, breweries, and great outdoors with my dog, Auggie!

I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and moved to Chicago for undergrad at Loyola University Chicago where I studied biology. After graduating, I moved back to Louisville where I worked as a nurse aide for two years before attending the University of Louisville School of Medicine. While in medical school I served as student council wellness chair and discovered a passion for student and resident wellness. I am also passionate about providing LGBTQIA+ care and advocacy for reproductive care.

Outside of medicine I love playing tennis, reading, and spending time with friends and family especially outdoors. I am so happy to be joining the team at MAHEC and cannot wait to explore all Asheville has to offer.

Hello! My name is Christen Jarshaw and I have lived in Central Oklahoma since I was about 4 years old. I attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK, where I was a member of the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band for 4 years (clarinet) and graduated with a BS in Biochemistry. After a quick gap year working as a medical scribe and doing REI and MedEd research, I started medical school at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in Oklahoma City, OK.

I am driven by advocacy in all things, and I have always been one to take charge of my own education and to not settle for the status quo when I see better can be obtained. I co-founded and lead an interprofessional Reproductive Health Symposium to improve pro-choice and gender-affirming medical education, then I accidentally founded the Oklahoma Menstrual Equity Coalition to address period poverty in Oklahoma through legislation and community partnerships. MAHEC is a program that mirrors my values in a way I did not think possible -- I cannot wait to learn and grow with such an intentional group of people.

Outside of medicine, I always find something to fill my free time! Most often, I enjoy knitting/sewing, watching Star Trek, listening to NPR podcasts or jazz music, and conversing with friends.

Hello! My name is Palak Patel, and I am originally from Florida. Specifically, I grew up along the Space Coast, close to the Kennedy Space Center, which I think contributed to my interest in the sciences. I completed my undergraduate education with a degree in biochemistry from the University of Florida in Gainesville and attended medical school at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

In medical school, I realized that I liked hands-on care and being able to follow my patients both inside and outside of the hospital. I also enjoyed following up with patients and forming longitudinal relationships with people over time. Along the way, I learned about the inequalities and stigma women face when it comes to medical care, especially regarding maternal mental health care and substance use during pregnancy. When I completed my obstetrics and gynecology clerkship, I fell in love with the field because it offered a little bit of everything that initially drew me to medicine! I am thrilled to be joining the MAHEC Ob/Gyn family for many reasons, including the warm, convivial atmosphere that the program has cultivated over the years and the passion that the faculty and residents demonstrate for healthcare advocacy and caring for marginalized people in the community.

In my free time, I like to read mystery novels, play video games, try out new foods with friends and family, and practice my crocheting skills. I look forward to living in a state with mountains and am excited to explore North Carolina!

Hey everyone! My name is Anna, and I’m a proud native of Richmond, VA. I spent 18 lovely years in my home state, and I’ve been on the move ever since! I attended UNC Chapel Hill (Go Heels!!!!) for college and majored in Global Studies with a concentration in global health. I fell in love with public health during my time at UNC, which ultimately led to a gap year in the Sacred Valley of Peru. While in Peru, I worked at an NGO alongside Community Health Workers (specifically working with their Women’s Health program) and spent as many weekends as possible trekking in the Andes. Following this year, I knew public health would be central to my future career, so I headed up to Boston for my MD/MPH at Tufts. While I’ve loved my years in the North, the mountains are calling and I must go! I’m over the moon to call NC home once again.

I have always wanted to be an Ob/Gyn. In my mind, there is no better combination of longitudinal patient care, complex physiology and procedures, and opportunities for advocacy. Going into residency applications, I knew I wanted to be part of a program that is deeply invested in the community at large and the well-being of their residents. With such a commitment to equity, compassion, and growth as individuals, MAHEC is everything I could have hoped for (and more).

Outside of the hospital, you can catch me running, hiking, trying new restaurants/wineries/cideries (a gluten free gal), and watching sporting events of all kinds. I’m so excited to build a community in Asheville and honored to be part of the family!!

Hello! My name is Lexi and I am thrilled to train at MAHEC Ob/Gyn. I have had many homes – I was born in Connecticut but moved to the United Kingdom when I was six and lived there until I was 14! I found my way to Tufts University in Boston where I majored in International Relations. I was not pre-med, but I had a passion for yoga, nutrition, and exercise. After college I ventured out to Lander, Wyoming where I led outdoor backpacking and rock-climbing expeditions for the National Outdoor Leadership School. I loved my time in Wyoming – the big open sky, awe-inspiring mountains, and down-to-earth people. I also really enjoyed mentoring students and teaching wilderness medicine. Eventually, my love of well-being and health brought me to a post-bacc pre-med program at Tufts University. Through this process I thought about becoming a naturopath, midwife, or family medicine physician – it was not until medical school at the University of Vermont College of Medicine that I solidified my love of Ob/Gyn. The blend of surgery, deep patient relationships, and clinical care makes this the best field in medicine! Some of my specific interests include integrative medicine, MFM, fertility, trauma informed care, and medical education.

While I have deeply loved my wonderful friends and home in Vermont the past four years, I am looking forward to building a new community in Asheville, North Carolina! I love to ride my bike, ski, practice yoga, hike, play tennis, and hang out with my very friendly golden retriever, Bodhi.