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. 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.

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. 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

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.

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 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!

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.

Hello! My name is Rebecca and I am from Bellingham, Washington. Growing up surrounded by mountains, ocean, and the forest, I spent a lot of time adventuring outdoors. Backpacking, hiking, skiing, biking—I love it all! I moved to Minnesota to complete my undergraduate degree at Carleton College. At Carleton, I studied biology and education and became interested in sexual education development and access. This work ultimately sparked my excitement for a career in reproductive health. After graduation, I spent a year with AmeriCorps working to teach early child literacy in an elementary school in my hometown, which affirmed my interest in health education.

As a medical student at Duke, OGBYN felt like a natural fit. Throughout my time in medical school, I continued to find joy and purpose in teaching sexual education, advocating for access to accurate reproductive health information, and mentorship. I was enamored by the longitudinal relationships with patients, the opportunity to help people navigate some of the most emotionally complex decisions in healthcare, the variety of procedures and clinical practice, and the opportunities for advocacy. I love the breadth of OBGYN and moving forward I am particularly excited about maternal fetal medicine, family planning, care for adolescents, and advocacy surrounding reproductive health education. During my interview at MAHEC, it was clear that the residents and faculty mirrored my values and were deeply committed to patient-centered care, equity, and advocacy. I am exceptionally excited to have the opportunity to train in this environment!

Outside the hospital, I love cooking, running, hiking, and biking. I am thrilled to build a community in Asheville and to begin exploring everything that the area has to offer!

I was born and raised in North Carolina. Some would say I’m a North Carolina Gal. I grew up in a small town called Pinehurst. I completed my undergraduate studies at UNC-Chapel Hill where I majored in psychology and minored in American Indian and Indigenous Studies. After my journey as a tarheel, I found myself in wolf territory where I earned my Master’s in Physiology from NC State University. Last but certainly not least, I spent four years at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine where I earned my MD. I love NC, and I am excited to continue serving the state in Asheville. I am excited to serve more Native communities towards the western side of the state as Native health is a personal passion of my own.

My husband and I are looking forward to exploring Asheville with our two pups Kaia and Ozzy, and I am excited to continue this journey with them by my side. When I’m not working or studying, I enjoy participating in physical fitness competitions. I’ve tried my hand at CrossFit, Olympic Lifting, and Powerlifting. I’m still deciding and excited to see what my next goals will be while in Asheville. I’m not the best runner, but who knows, maybe a marathon! I also enjoy sitting down and reading a good book or nerding out with my Nintendo Switch playing Animal Crossing. I am excited to learn how to be the best OBGYN I can be at MAHEC.

Hi! I’m Jacqueline. I’m originally from St. Petersburg, FL but have lived in various other places ever since heading to college at Pepperdine University where I majored in International Studies. I’ve been fortunate to call Malibu, CA, Florence, Italy, Portland OR, Boston, MA, and now Asheville, NC my home over the years, and have learned so much, met incredible people, and gained diverse perspectives through these experiences. I’ve always had an interest in women’s health and social justice, as well as caring for and advocating for underserved populations. Medical school affirmed my love of OB/GYN as I found that it blended everything I love in medicine: caring for women, having deep longitudinal relationships with patients, providing preventive care, and surgery!

Outside of medicine, I am passionate about spending time outdoors, exercising, mindfulness activities such as yoga, meditation, and breathwork, quality time with friends, playing games, and traveling (particularly in Latin America). I am so excited to join the MAHEC family, with its affirming, supportive, and intentional community culture, and excellent OB/GYN training. I am also so excited to live in and explore the beautiful mountainous city of Asheville, NC!

Hello! My name is Hannah. I grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and moved to Western NC to attend college at Appalachian State University where I majored in Cellular & Molecular Biology. During undergrad, I fell in love with caring for medically underserved populations through exposure to the Western NC medical community. I began to observe the unique inequities, stigma, and challenges that women face regarding their healthcare, which initially sparked my interest in Ob-Gyn. After college, I moved away from the mountains to attend medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During medical school, while continuing to fall in love with the field of Ob-Gyn, I explored interests researching social determinants of health, providing care for individuals with housing insecurity, and bettering medical education.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading, being outdoors, trying new restaurants or cooking new foods at home, and playing piano & cello. I am so thrilled to be back in the mountains for residency, and I can’t wait to work with the wonderful patients and providers at MAHEC!