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Ernesto de la Torre, MD
MAHEC Health Center at Cullowhee
Western Carolina University
Health & Human Sciences Building
3971 Little Savannah Road
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 257-4719
Born and raised in NC, Dr. Ernesto de la Torre graduated from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in 1998 and later completed a family medicine internship at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, VA. He is board-certified in Family Medicine and spent eight years as a physician on active duty in the U.S. Navy. He practiced in Western NC for 14 years before joining MAHEC in 2025. Dr. de la Torre provides full-scope family medicine services and strongly believes in shared decision-making with his patients, encouraging them to take an active role in their care. He provides care for all ages, from newborn and pediatric care to geriatric care.
Christi Garrett Hunt, MD
MAHEC Ob/Gyn Specialists at Franklin
56 Medical Park Drive
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 634-4565
MAHEC Health Center at Cullowhee
Western Carolina University
Health & Human Sciences Building
3971 Little Savannah Road
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 257-4719
Undergraduate: BA, University of North Carolina -Chapel Hill
Graduate: MD, St. Louis University
Residency: OBGYN University of Missouri-Kansas City
Christi Garrett Hunt, MD, was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and developed a strong appreciation for Western North Carolina during her undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. After she and her husband, Jason—an Emergency Medicine physician—completed their medical training in the Midwest, they chose to return to WNC to build their careers and family life, raising their two girls in Asheville.
Dr. Hunt joins MAHEC following 25 years of a rewarding private practice in the Asheville community. She is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care in a smaller community setting and is especially passionate about supporting women through all stages of their reproductive and menopausal transitions. Known for her attentive listening and clear communication, Dr. Hunt values collaboration with patients and families to help them achieve their personal health goals.
She brings extensive experience in contraceptive counseling and management, menopausal care, in-office procedures, infertility treatment, obstetrical care, laparoscopic surgery, and a wide range of minor and major gynecologic surgical procedures. Dr. Hunt is excited to join the MAHEC team and looks forward to continuing her dedication to patient-centered women’s health.
Sandra Pratt, DNP, FNP-BC, ACHPN
MAHEC Health Center at Cullowhee
Western Carolina University
Health & Human Sciences Building
3971 Little Savannah Road
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 257-4719
Sandra Pratt, DNP, FNP-BC, ACHPN, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with experience caring for patients across the lifespan, from pediatrics to geriatrics. She studied zoology at the University of South Florida and University of Florida before later returning to study nursing, earning her ASN and BSN degrees from Santa Fe College and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Chamberlain University.
Dr. Pratt has worked in primary care, hospital-based palliative care, chronic disease management, and preventive medicine. Originally from Florida and now rooted in Western North Carolina, she is passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care to rural Appalachian communities.
Her clinical interests include primary care—from newborn to geriatrics, preventive health, diabetes management, women’s health, hormone replacement therapy, mental health, and healthy aging. Before joining MAHEC, she worked in both primary care and palliative medicine, including caring for seriously ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also previously taught nursing students.
Dr. Pratt is active in professional leadership and advocacy through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and currently serves as the North Carolina State Liaison. She believes strong patient relationships are built through listening, education, and shared decision-making and is excited to serve the Cullowhee community by providing care for individuals and families at every stage of life.
Dolly Pressley Byrd, CNM, PhD
MAHEC Ob/Gyn Specialists at Biltmore
119 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 771-5500
MAHEC Ob/Gyn Specialists at Franklin
56 Medical Park Drive
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 634-4565
MAHEC Health Center at Cullowhee
Western Carolina University
Health & Human Sciences Building
3971 Little Savannah Road
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 257-4719
Undergraduate: BA, Wake Forest University
Graduate: MSN, Yale University
Doctoral: PhD, UNC Greensboro School of Nursing
Kellie Rogers, LCMHC-A
MAHEC Health Center at Cullowhee
Western Carolina University
Health & Human Sciences Building
3971 Little Savannah Road
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 257-4719
Kellie earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology (2023) and Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2025) from Western Carolina University. Born and raised in Western North Carolina, she is passionate about serving individuals in rural Appalachian communities. Her goal is to create a safe, supportive space where people can process, grow, and find balance.
Ashley Tickle, LCMHC-A
MAHEC Health Center at Cullowhee
Western Carolina University
Health & Human Sciences Building
3971 Little Savannah Road
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 257-4719
Ashley earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida State University and her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Montreat College in 2023. Before joining our team, she worked as a school-based therapist, supporting children and families in developing healthy coping skills and emotional resilience. She’s excited to now provide mental health services to the Cullowhee community and is passionate about creating a warm, supportive space where clients can feel understood and empowered to make meaningful change.
