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Appalachian Regional Healthcare System
148 Hwy 105 Extension, Suite 104
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 386-2746

Dr. Chris Bullers grew up in Hickory, North Carolina. He attended Catawba College as an undergraduate, and after working for several years in the pharmaceutical industry, completed medical school at The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. After finishing his family medicine residency at Wake Forest University, he capped his medical training with a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

He then returned to Wake Forest University to become part of the family medicine clinical faculty and Winston Salem State team physician. During this time, he was also the principal investigator of the Winston Salem State arm of the NCAA-Department of Defense Concussion, Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium nationwide project to further define the clinical and neurobiological natural history of concussive injury and recovery. He has been included in several publications stemming from this ongoing research.

In 2017, Dr. Bullers climbed the mountain to join the AppOrtho team of the Appalachian Regional Medical System (ARHS) in Boone, NC. At that time, he was part of the vision to build a new academic center to educate future primary care and sports medicine physicians. After helping to start the family medicine residency at ARHS, he continues regular didactics with the residents as well as directing their orthopedic clinical experience. He currently serves as medical director and team physician for Appalachian State University athletics and helps to provide for the sports medicine needs of Watauga and Avery counties. This includes varied youth activities ranging from all sanctioned school sports to skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, dance and the many other unique opportunities that the mountains provide. Several mass events are overseen yearly including 2 large (80+ team) weekend soccer tournaments hosted by High Country Soccer, and Heart of a Pioneer, a mass preparticipation physical event including EKG and concussion screening for the county middle and high school athletes.

Professionally, Dr. Bullers’ interests include nonsurgical musculoskeletal care, injury prevention, concussion management, nonsurgical procedures including biologics and tenotomy, diagnostic and interventional ultrasound, and overuse injuries.

Dr. Bullers enjoys all outdoor activities especially when they involve his wife and two boys. They are constantly exploring all the high country has to offer and finding new fun every weekend they can. He tries to “practice what he preaches” when it comes to exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System
148 Hwy 105 Extension, Suite 104
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 386-2746

Born in Johnstown Pa, but hail from parts all over as a “military brat”. My interest in medicine started after recovering from severe orthopedic trauma in high school. Through a combination of surgeries and physical therapy I was able to return to the athletic field in college. While studying biology at Slippery Rock University I was a student athlete in soccer and club lacrosse. After graduating medical school at Drexel University, I completed an internal medicine internship before entering active duty with the USAF. With additional training, I served 5 years as a Flight Surgeon supporting flying squadrons and special operation units during numerous deployments and military exercises. Returning to the United States in 2010 I entered my emergency medicine residency at Allegheny General Hospital, finishing as a chief resident. Initially working in an academic setting I relocated to western NC to practice EM in a community based environment.

My interests include endurance sports, longevity and preventive healthcare, military medicine, nutrition, and aging athletes. Outside of medicine my focus is on enjoying quality time with my son, wife (also an EM physician) and our senior dog. I enjoy road cycling, triathlons, hunting, fishing, and cooking.

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System
148 Hwy 105 Extension, Suite 104
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 386-2746

I’m the product of 7 generations of Watauga county and have always known that I would return to Watauga county, even before I decided to pursue a career in medicine. I was fortunate enough to complete my degree in chemical engineering at N.C. State prior to medical school at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Within medicine, I’m passionate about providing health care to rural underserved populations, particularly within the Appalachian mountains. Additional subcategories that I care deeply about include mental health, reducing stigma, substance use disorders, prenatal care, and migrant worker populations.

Outside of medicine, I’m a lover of all things dealing with music and/or outdoor adventure. I play guitar, piano, sing, and occasionally try my hand at writing and recording. I’ve been skiing since I was two and I’ve been a volunteer ski patroller at Appalachian Ski mountain since age 15. In the warmer months, you can find me running on the Boone Greenway or mountain biking at Rocky Knob Park.

Hello everyone! I’m Brant Gunderson and I grew up in Southeastern Wisconsin. My wife and I count ourselves truly blessed for the opportunity to spend the next chapter of our lives in the beautiful mountain regions near Boone! While I have spent my whole life in the Midwest, my wife is originally from the Adirondack Mountain regions of New York and we are thrilled to venture to an area that has so much to offer from life in the mountain regions!

I went to undergrad at a small school in Ohio called Cedarville University with the plan to study Engineering where I discovered that I love problem solving, but longed to work directly with those I help; this led to my medical education journey. I met my now wife at school there and completed my training in studying Molecular and Cellular Biology as well as minored in Biblical Studies. Shortly after I matriculated into medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin in my home-state of Wisconsin. It was there that I discovered my passion for Family Medicine and eventually Primary Care Sports Medicine. Between my medical school training and eventual match in Residency at the Waukesha Family Medicine Residency Program, my passion for sports medicine further blossomed into a joy in working with the student athlete population in particular. While working with student athletes is such a passion of mine, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with and treating all ages, truly from birth to the grave, incorporating family and community care into a daily practice.

Outside of medicine I love to stay active with my family. My wife, two young daughters and I love explore new restaurants, coffee joints, and whatever outdoor activities we can find. My oldest daughter in particular is a giant ball of energy and will often lead us on wild adventure wherever we go. My wife is an ER nurse and an excellent skier (she will not admit to this). In addition to family adventures we love to spend time with our Church Community and cannot wait to plug in and make friends when we arrive!

MAHEC Family Medicine Residency Boone at AppFamily Medicine
148 Hwy 105 Extension, Suite 102
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 386-2222

Dr. Benjamin Parker is a ABOS Board Certified orthopedic surgeon at AppOrtho. He is the director of Orthopedic Sports Medicine Surgery. The North Carolina native completed his undergraduate degree at Duke University and earned his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine. From there, he completed his orthopedic residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his sports medicine fellowship at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Dr. Parker is a specialist in all areas of sports medicine, including complex injuries of the knee, pediatric sports injuries, cartilage restoration, elbow surgery, complex arthroscopic and reconstructive shoulder surgery, and joint replacements. As a team doctor, he covers Appalachian State University, Lees McRae, Appalachian FC and many surrounding high school sports teams. When not at work, Dr. Parker enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. He is also an avid fitness enthusiast and accomplished musician.