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Pronouns: he/him/his

Medical School: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
Residency Program: MAHEC Family Medicine
Fellowship: Primary Care Sports Medicine, Cone Health Sports Medicine Fellowship
Board Certification: American Board of Family Medicine, Certificate of Added Qualifications in Sports Medicine, Diplomate in Lifestyle Medicine

Dr. Brian Atkinson brings specialized expertise in family medicine, lifestyle medicine, and sports medicine to his practice. With a focus on musculoskeletal injuries and preventive care for active individuals, he works closely with his patients to develop personalized treatment and recovery plans. Dr. Atkinson is particularly passionate about helping patients of all ages maintain wellness, mobility, and function throughout their lives. He is also team physician for UNC Asheville Athletics, Warren Wilson College Athletics, and medical director for multiple road and trail running races. He takes pride in educating his patients on the importance of physical activity, nutrition, and overall well-being as part of a comprehensive approach to health.

MAHEC Family Health Center at Biltmore
123 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 257-4730

I started my training as an undergrad at Penn State Behrend where I was inducted into the college’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014 for my achievements as a long distance runner which included being named Behrend Female Athlete of the Year twice among other awards (I clearly liked competitive sports).

I went to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine for my medical training and during that time was a head high-school and middle-school cross country and track coach. I trained in Wilmington, NC for my primary care residency and then completed my sports medicine fellowship at the University of Connecticut. After my fellowship, I worked as core faculty at Tufts Family Medicine Residency and helped teach the physical exam courses at Tufts School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School for several years. During that time I earned the Young investigator’s Research Grant Award and Humanitarian Award from the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.

My work and research is focused on female athletes and disordered eating, body image issues, the female athlete triad (energy deficiency, menstrual disturbances, and bone loss), the benefits of sports participation for young girls, and group visits to encourage pediatric patients to get moving. My husband and I moved to Asheville from Boston to be closer to friends and family and these beautiful mountains!