Welcome to the MAHEC Boone Rural Family Medicine Residency Program, a unique and forward-thinking program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of rural healthcare leaders. Recognizing the critical need for family physicians in underserved areas, our residency is committed to developing highly skilled and compassionate doctors who are ready to serve the whole family and drive positive change in healthcare. In Boone, North Carolina, you’ll find a close-knit community and a program where you can truly make a significant impact.
Make a Big Difference in a Small Town: Your Journey in Boone Family Medicine
Our residency program stands out with its distinct features, meticulously crafted to train comprehensive family physicians for practice in rural and underserved communities, much like our home in the stunning Boone, NC mountains. From day one, you are an essential member of our team. Your training journey will expose you to a vast spectrum of medical knowledge and hands-on procedural skills, shaping you into a well-rounded family doctor. You will gain invaluable experience caring for patients across diverse settings, from the delivery room, intensive care unit, and nursing homes to providing vital home visits.
Clinical experiences are designed to be longitudinal, emphasizing the crucial continuity of care and fostering strong doctor-patient relationships. In a close-knit mountain town like Boone, leadership and influence extend beyond the clinic walls, encompassing community outreach, school-based health initiatives, hospital committees, and dedicated service to our most vulnerable populations. Our faculty comprises experienced family doctors and other dedicated healthcare professionals who share a common passion for making a real difference in the lives of others and in the broader healthcare landscape.
Innovation That Matters: 40 Years of Excellence in Medical Training
For over four decades, our curriculum has been at the forefront of medical education, stemming from the largest Area Health Education Center in North Carolina and across the nation. Residents have always been pivotal in fostering our program’s innovative spirit. Our comprehensive training strongly emphasizes rural medicine, community-based healthcare models, women’s health, behavioral medicine, geriatrics, and specialized care for unique populations, including those grappling with substance use disorders. The Boone Family Medicine Residency is committed to evolving and adapting to meet the changing needs of rural healthcare.
Lifelong Skills for Community Service: Learning and Serving in Boone
As a deeply rooted community-based program, we are dedicated to addressing the evolving healthcare needs of our local community and the wider region. Our intimate learning environment prioritizes hands-on experiential learning, innovative educational modules, and extensive procedural training opportunities. Both residents and faculty are united by a shared commitment to collaborative learning and teaching, all aimed at enhancing patient care. Our supportive faculty group shares a wealth of experience in delivering exceptional patient care while thriving in the beautiful mountain community of Boone.
This program is intentionally designed to offer a wide array of enriching clinical experiences within a personalized setting. By maximizing flexibility to accommodate diverse adult learning styles, we empower our residents to reach their full potential, developing well-rounded skills applicable to any future practice environment. The Boone Family Medicine Residency is about preparing you not just for a job, but for a fulfilling career of service.
Prioritizing Your Well-being: Personal and Professional Wellness in Residency
The demands on today’s physicians extend far beyond clinical duties. Recognizing this, we prioritize establishing healthy habits and providing robust support throughout your residency. This foundation is crucial for your long-term success and well-being. We cultivate a supportive work environment, mindful scheduling, and a strong personal support network to nurture you as a valued colleague during this pivotal phase of your professional development.
Furthermore, we offer ample flexibility to optimize your experiences, adding both personal and professional value tailored to your individual goals and aspirations. We firmly believe that the best family doctors are those who lead balanced lives, learning to integrate professional dedication with personal growth early in their careers. The Boone Family Medicine Residency invests in you as a whole person.
We invite you to visit our program and immerse yourself in the breathtaking high country of Western North Carolina. Discover a community of dedicated and compassionate individuals who share a passion for helping others and growing together. We wish you the very best in your medical journey.
Molly Benedum, MD
Program Director
Boone Rural Family Medicine Residency Program
Explore 4th Year Medical Student Rotations at Boone MAHEC
MAHEC provides diverse rotation opportunities for 4th-year medical students in Family Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Surgery, Rural Medicine, and Psychiatry. These rotations are available for both in-state and out-of-state students who are interested in our residency programs.
Learn more about our 4th year medical student rotations
Our Core Values: Guiding Principles of the Boone Family
- Excellence: We are committed to delivering high-quality activities and services that are valued by our patients, partners, and community.
- Culture: We champion equity and inclusivity in all aspects of our program and patient care.
- Integrity: We uphold fairness, transparency, and the highest ethical standards in all our actions.
- Collaboration: We value strong partnerships and promote interprofessional approaches to healthcare.
- Improvement: We are dedicated to continuous innovation and improvement in our work and training.
Foundational Principles: Cornerstones of Our Program
- Civility: We treat every individual with respect and kindness, at all times, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Inclusivity: We deeply value the unique contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds and recognize the strength of an organization that reflects the rich diversity of our teams and community.
- Empowerment: We encourage engagement, commitment, and ownership of MAHEC’s mission, work, and resources among all members of our Boone Family Medicine Residency.
Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
MAHEC is unwavering in its commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment for work, learning, and patient care. We do not discriminate based on socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, spiritual practice, geography, disability, or age. The Boone Family Medicine Residency embraces diversity in all its forms.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT): Addressing Substance Use Disorder in Rural Communities
At AppFamily Medicine, our primary resident clinic, we are committed to providing access to buprenorphine and other essential treatments for Substance Use Disorder (SUD). We believe this is an integral component of caring for our community and central to our mission of delivering full-spectrum primary care to rural Western North Carolina. Our clinics serve patients from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, addressing not only Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) but also managing Benzodiazepine Dependence, Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), and methamphetamine use.
Our MAT program is a testament to resident initiative and leadership. From its inception, our residents have played a vital role in shaping clinic policy and education related to buprenorphine use, actively managing both home and in-office inductions. We provide buprenorphine to all patients in need, including prenatal patients, ensuring comprehensive care. Furthermore, our residents are actively collaborating with local Emergency Departments to establish a robust referral system for patients with OUD, guaranteeing consistent access to MAT for those who need it most.
As our residency program expands, we are committed to growing these essential services and integrating additional local resources into our clinic. Currently, we are the sole clinic in Watauga County offering integrated MAT with primary care, and we firmly believe in the profound need for this comprehensive approach to medicine in rural areas. The Boone Family Medicine Residency is dedicated to being a leader in addressing the opioid crisis in our region.
Boone Family Medicine Residents
Integrated Prenatal Care and Deliveries: Comprehensive Women’s Health Services
We are privileged to provide full-spectrum primary care to all members of our community, and prenatal care is a cornerstone of our mission at MAHEC Boone. Watauga Medical Center, our primary hospital partner, is the only hospital offering deliveries within a four-county region of Western North Carolina. This broad catchment area allows us to serve patients from diverse backgrounds and needs. Each resident manages a panel of prenatal patients, ensuring continuity of care through delivery in the hospital setting, enhancing both patient experience and resident training. Residents also routinely assist with C-sections and manage labor during their dedicated month-long Labor & Delivery rotation each year. Couplet care (integrated care for postpartum mothers and infants) is available at MAHEC Boone, the only clinic in Boone to offer this specialized service.
Midwifery Partnerships: Honoring Tradition and Expertise
Midwives are integral to prenatal and OB care in our region, and our residents collaborate closely with local midwives during their Labor and Delivery months, as well as on GYN rotations. Prenatal care at the Baker Center, our rural site in Newland, NC, is also expertly managed by midwives. Midwives have a long and respected history in Western North Carolina, with many serving the community for decades, delivering generations and caring for families from all walks of life. We are immensely proud to partner with them for both outpatient and inpatient OB care, recognizing their invaluable expertise and community connection. The Boone Family Medicine Residency values and integrates the strengths of midwifery into our training program.
Outpatient Prenatal and Women’s Health: Meeting Critical Needs
Our outpatient prenatal care services fill a vital gap in our patient population. We are the only primary care office in Boone that manages and delivers pregnant patients, and one of only two offices providing prenatal care at all. In addition, we offer comprehensive well-woman exams, Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARCs) including IUD and Nexplanon insertions and removals, Ob/Gyn ultrasound, and a range of office-based gynecologic procedures. Dr. Beverly Womack, our esteemed in-house Ob/Gyn, is a pillar of the Boone healthcare system and a highly respected community member. She also leads a weekly GYN clinic in Ashe County, just outside West Jefferson, NC, where our residents gain experience managing complex gynecologic pathologies in an underserved rural setting. The Boone Family Medicine Residency offers robust training in women’s health.
LGBTQ+ Care: Providing Affirming and Inclusive Healthcare
AppFamily Medicine, our resident clinic, is a leader in providing Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT), and is the only clinic in the surrounding counties to offer these vital services. The residency program is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in our region, guiding patients through the healthcare system in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Dr. Molly Benedum, our program director, has extensive experience in GAHT and actively educates residents and medical students across the state about our work in LGBTQ+ care. We firmly believe that family medicine is for everyone and deeply value the insights and contributions of our LGBTQ+ partners, patients, and providers to our practice and our community. The Boone Family Medicine Residency is committed to providing inclusive and affirming care for all.
Rural Care: Extending Healthcare Access Across Western North Carolina
While Boone offers the amenities of a regional hub, it is surrounded by deeply rural communities throughout Western North Carolina that face significant healthcare access challenges. Even a short drive from downtown Boone leads into the remote valleys and hollows of Appalachia. Neighboring counties often lack adequate access to essential healthcare services, particularly primary care, pediatrics, and women’s health. Addressing these disparities is a core tenet of our residency program. Many of our clinics serve patients from across Western North Carolina, and even from Tennessee, who cross state lines to access the care they need. The Boone Family Medicine Residency is dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of the entire rural region.
Appalachian Scenery
Ashe County Clinic: Expanding Reach in Underserved Areas
Currently, we extend GYN care to Ashe County through a satellite clinic led by our Ob/Gyn faculty member, Dr. Beverly Womack. Dr. Womack has built long-standing relationships within the Ashe County community and has thoughtfully integrated resident learning into her practice. Looking ahead, we plan to build upon Dr. Womack’s foundation and expand this clinic to further benefit the local community, increasing access to vital healthcare services. The Boone Family Medicine Residency is committed to growing its outreach to neighboring rural communities.
Baker Center for Primary Care: Serving Avery County
Named in honor of Dr. Charlie Baker, a beloved faculty member and local healthcare legend, the Baker Center for Primary Care is located within Cannon Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital in Newland, NC. The Baker Center provides comprehensive care for patients of all ages, including prenatal care delivered by family physicians and midwives. Our residents rotate frequently at the Baker Center, working closely with faculty members during their Family Medicine Outpatient rotation. As our residency program grows, we aim to increase our resident presence at the Baker Center, further strengthening our commitment to Avery County and its residents. The Boone Family Medicine Residency extends its care footprint through the Baker Center.
Charles A. Cannon Jr. Memorial Hospital: Inpatient and Outpatient Services
Cannon Hospital, located in Linville, NC, is a vital acute care hospital serving Avery County since 1999. Recognizing critical gaps in mental health services for rural populations, Cannon Hospital expanded in 2008 to include inpatient psychiatric services. It now offers a 27-bed inpatient facility alongside a robust outpatient center for therapy and non-urgent psychiatric management. Take a video tour of the facilities. Currently, our residents rotate through both the inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facilities, the Baker Center, and the Cannon ED, gaining diverse and essential clinical experience. The Boone Family Medicine Residency leverages the resources of Cannon Memorial Hospital to provide comprehensive training.
Wilderness Medical Society Affiliate Logo
Wilderness Medicine: Training for Healthcare in the Great Outdoors
Exploring the rugged beauty of Appalachia comes with inherent risks. Our region offers countless opportunities for outdoor adventure, which, unfortunately, can also lead to injuries and illnesses in wilderness settings. Our Wilderness Medicine curriculum, led by Dr. Dave Brendle, our Assistant Program Director, caters to this unique aspect of rural healthcare. Dr. Brendle, an outdoor enthusiast himself, is passionate about equipping residents to care for those venturing into the wilderness.
Our Wilderness Medicine Curriculum offers a range of enriching experiences, including regular didactic sessions, Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) training, opportunities to join the National Ski Patrol, local and away electives, and the option to become a Fellow in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. The Boone Family Medicine Residency is uniquely positioned to offer robust wilderness medicine training.
Sports Medicine: Caring for Athletes of All Levels
Our residency program collaborates with AppOrtho to provide exceptional Sports Medicine training to our residents. Working alongside Drs. Matthew Giordanengo, Benjamin Parker, and Chris Bullers, our residents gain extensive exposure to diverse facets of sports medicine. This includes providing on-field treatment for injuries at Appalachian State University athletic events, covering football, soccer, and basketball games. Residents may also travel with the App State Football Team to provide sideline care at bowl games and tournaments across the country!
AppOrtho also hosts a Primary Care Sports Fellowship through MAHEC, welcoming its first fellow in 2022. We feature a recurring Ultrasound Lecture Series from our Sports Medicine colleagues and plan to further integrate our residents into additional Sports Medicine curriculum and events. Dr. Giordanengo also works directly with our residents at AppFamily and the Baker Center, providing invaluable mentorship. The Boone Family Medicine Residency offers strong sports medicine training opportunities.
Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS): Essential Skills for Rural Practice
Boone Scenery
A cornerstone of well-rounded patient care, particularly in rural settings, is the ability to translate inpatient skills to the outpatient environment. Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is one such skill that is invaluable across the spectrum of rural family medicine. Our residents receive comprehensive exposure to US techniques and hands-on practice in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Regularly scheduled POCUS didactics are led by Dr. Daniel Goble, our local US expert and faculty member. Residents are encouraged to utilize basic US techniques in inpatient settings to assist in diagnosing and managing conditions such as pneumothorax, heart failure, ascites, DVT, and central line placement.
In the outpatient clinic, residents use US to aid in managing abscesses, breast masses, musculoskeletal complaints, and ocular pathologies. We are committed to expanding our outpatient US training with new equipment and faculty training in the coming year. Residents also gain exposure to and perform pelvic US in both family medicine and local Ob/Gyn clinics. Sports Medicine applications of ultrasound are also a focus, with regular didactic sessions led by Sports Medicine faculty and fellows. A dedicated 2-week US elective is available for PGY3 residents. The Boone Family Medicine Residency prioritizes POCUS skills for rural practice.
Migrant Farmworker Care: Addressing Healthcare Disparities
Our residency program is actively partnering with High Country Community Health (HCCH), a local Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), to provide essential healthcare to the large population of migrant farmworkers who come to Boone seasonally for work. Many of these individuals face significant challenges in accessing consistent healthcare, managing chronic conditions, and navigating a healthcare system that may not be linguistically or culturally accessible.
Currently, our second-year residents rotate at HCCH clinics in Boone and Newland, NC, as part of their outpatient training. We are also in the process of incorporating resident participation in on-site farm visits to diagnose and treat patients directly in their work environments. These farm visits are planned to begin in Fall 2022, further extending our reach and impact within the migrant farmworker community. The Boone Family Medicine Residency is committed to addressing the healthcare needs of migrant farmworkers.
Scenic photo used with permission from Meta Gatschenberger.
Meet Our Dedicated Faculty: The Boone Family Medicine Team
Our faculty are deeply committed to resident education and patient care, embodying the spirit of the Boone Family Medicine Residency.
Molly Benedum, MD Program Director Boone Rural Family Medicine Residency Program
Molly Benedum, MD
Program Director, Boone Rural Family Medicine Residency Program
Molly Benedum, MD, is a board-certified family physician and the Program Director of the MAHEC Rural Family Medicine Residency Program in Boone. She provides comprehensive primary care across the lifespan, from newborns to geriatrics, including inpatient hospital care. Her clinical interests encompass women’s health, adolescent medicine, integrative medicine, and care for vulnerable and underserved populations, with a particular focus on the LGBTQ community. Her research and teaching interests include evidence-based medicine and wellness and burnout prevention in clinical learning environments.
Dr. Benedum is passionate about training the next generation of exceptional primary care physicians to serve the Carolinas and has received multiple teaching awards, including an Outstanding Service Award from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology magna cum laude from Furman University and earned her medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Benedum completed her family medicine residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. She is a graduate of the UNC Faculty Development Fellowship and the National Institute for Program Director Development Fellowship.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she moved to Winston-Salem during grade school. In her free time, Molly and her husband Joe enjoy spending time with their rescue pup Agnes, cooking, and traveling.
David Brendle, DO
Associate Program Director and Faculty, Boone Rural Family Medicine Residency Program
David Brendle, DO, earned his undergraduate degree in business administration from UNC Charlotte, where he also competed in cross country and track. His interest in health and wellness grew during college, leading him to Appalachian State University for a master’s degree in exercise science. He then worked at the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center at the University of Maryland, focusing on research related to managing comorbidities through lifestyle modifications. This experience solidified his passion for medicine. He chose the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, drawn to its osteopathic principles of treating the whole person and understanding the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.
After medical school, Dr. Brendle returned to Charlotte for his family medicine residency at Carolinas Medical Center, where he met his wife, Dr. Torre Hinnant. They practiced in Lenoir before moving to Boone in 2016.
Dr. Brendle’s medical interests include sports medicine, osteopathic manipulation, in-office procedures, and chronic disease management. He enjoys mentoring premed and medical students and is enthusiastic about working with MAHEC family medicine residents. Outside of medicine, David enjoys outdoor activities such as biking, climbing, running, hiking, and skiing, and is working on improving his yoga practice.
Charles Baker, MD
Faculty
Charles Baker, MD, is a seasoned family physician with over 40 years of experience, having delivered over 2,000 babies in the High Country of Avery County.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Davidson College and his medical degree from UNC Chapel Hill. Dr. Baker interrupted his residency for three years to serve on the Sioux Indian reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and in an inner-city clinic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital in 1979 and then established a solo practice in the High Country, becoming double-boarded in pediatrics and family practice. He and his wife Ann raised their three children in the area.
Dr. Baker is passionate about mentoring medical students, and teaching has been a central part of his career. His Linville practice has been a teaching site for UNC medical students for over 30 years, recognized as a gold teaching practice. He has trained students across all four years of medical school and precepted MAHEC residents for many years. Dr. Baker is delighted to support the new MAHEC Rural Family Medicine Residency in Boone as he transitions from private practice, eager to teach residents the value of “hands-on” care and appreciating the simple things in life.
Connor Brunson, MD
Faculty
Connor Brunson, MD, has deep roots in the Appalachian region, with a life journey circling through Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina, now happily settled in Boone.
He studied Public Health and Anthropology at the University of South Carolina. His diverse experiences include working as a bagel baker, nude art model, teacher, EMT, and community organizer. Living in South Carolina deepened his understanding of racial and economic inequality in medicine, and he recognized the vital role of small communities in addressing these issues.
His creative pursuits (songwriting, writing) and philosophical interests (Taoism, Stoicism, Narrative Medicine) have shaped his belief in the power of emotional healing and mindfulness. He believes rural America needs compassionate, holistic care, and family physicians are uniquely positioned to provide it. Dr. Brunson is proud to be part of this mission at the Boone Family Medicine Residency.
Chris Bullers, MD Boone Sports Medicine Fellowship Program Director
Chris Bullers, MD
Boone Sports Medicine Fellowship Program Director
Dr. Chris Bullers grew up in Hickory, North Carolina. He attended Catawba College and completed medical school at The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University after working in the pharmaceutical industry. He completed his family medicine residency at Wake Forest University and a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
He returned to Wake Forest University as faculty and team physician for Winston Salem State University. He was the principal investigator for Winston Salem State’s arm of the NCAA-Department of Defense Concussion, Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium project.
In 2017, Dr. Bullers joined AppOrtho in Boone, NC, to help build a new academic center for primary care and sports medicine physician education. He helped establish the family medicine residency at ARHS and continues to provide regular didactics and oversee orthopedic clinical experiences for residents. He is currently medical director and team physician for Appalachian State University athletics and serves the sports medicine needs of Watauga and Avery counties, covering youth activities and mass events.
Dr. Bullers’ professional interests include nonsurgical musculoskeletal care, injury prevention, concussion management, nonsurgical procedures, diagnostic and interventional ultrasound, and overuse injuries. He enjoys outdoor activities with his family and strives to live a healthy lifestyle.
Daniel Goble, MD Inpatient Director and Faculty
Daniel Goble, MD
Inpatient Director and Faculty
Daniel Goble, MD, grew up in Western North Carolina and attended medical school at The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. After residency in Wichita, Kansas, he returned to the mountains, joining Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS).
Dr. Goble is a hospitalist at ARHS, associate professor for the Wake Forest School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program, obstetrics instructor for Equip Ministries’ Missionary Medicine Intensive course, and medical director of Boone’s Community Care Clinic, the only free clinic in the High Country. He is excited to teach inpatient medicine for the Boone family medicine residency program.
Daniel’s hobbies include writing, triathlons, kayaking, and playing the bongos. He and his wife, an ob/gyn nurse, enjoy gardening, backpacking, traveling, and animal care. They are exploring fostering through the local Department of Social Services. Dr. Goble enjoys philosophical discussions and sour ales.
Karen Isaacs MD, MPH
Faculty
Karen Isaacs MD, MPH, grew up in Winston-Salem, NC, and earned her undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill. She joined the Peace Corps in Tanzania, which sparked her interest in public health and social determinants of health. She earned a master’s degree in public health at UNC Chapel Hill and her medical degree from Wake Forest School of Medicine. She completed her residency at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC.
Family Medicine was a natural fit for her. She spent six years balancing faculty work in residency and serving as medical director for a community nonprofit clinic, Wilmington Health Access for Teens. She transitioned to full-time residency faculty in 2018 and completed a Health Equity Fellowship through the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2019. Her clinical interests include harm reduction, care for marginalized populations, and addressing structural factors impacting health outcomes.
After 14 years on the coast, she moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains to join the MAHEC Boone Family Medicine Residency Program. She and her husband Max enjoy traveling, hiking, and their cat.
Lisa Kaufmann, MD
Faculty
Lisa Kaufmann, MD, loved the Blue Ridge Mountains while at Duke University for undergraduate and medical school. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania. She moved to Tucson, Arizona, and then to the University of Arizona, teaching and directing the resident/faculty practice site and ambulatory internal medicine curriculum. She then moved to SUNY Upstate in Syracuse, NY, as medical director for the resident/faculty practice site for over 10 years before transitioning to hospital medicine.
Dr. Kaufmann has taught clinical internal medicine, evidence-based medicine, medical decision-making, quality improvement, population health, cross-cultural medicine, and physical diagnosis. She directed the travel health program at Upstate and developed a refugee health program. She attended the Clinical Teaching Program at Stanford University School of Medicine and taught mindfulness-based stress reduction for medical students and the public.
Dr. Kaufmann moved to Boone as a hospitalist and is now director of the adult hospital medicine group and medical director of the adult inpatient service line. Her hospitalist group is a practice site for the Wake Forest School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program. She focuses on improving transitions of care through collaboration with care management teams, social workers, and community organizations.
A. Kyle Wilson, MD, MPH Clinic Faculty
A. Kyle Wilson, MD, MPH
Clinic Faculty
Kyle Wilson, MD, MPH, is from Bakersville, NC. He attended Wake Forest University and The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, also earning a Master of Public Health degree. He completed his residency at Emory University School of Medicine and joined Emory’s faculty, serving as an attending physician and assistant director of undergraduate medical education. He developed new residency rotations and taught didactics.
Dr. Wilson’s medical interests include inpatient and outpatient medicine, women’s health, general pediatrics, and procedural medicine.
Kyle and his family are happy to be back in Western North Carolina. His wife, Anna Dean, works at the CDC and UNC Chapel Hill. They enjoy family time and sports.
Brett Magner, MD
Faculty
Dr. Magner earned his MD from Augusta University – University of Georgia Medical Partnership in 2015 and completed his residency at Oregon Health and Sciences University – Cascades East Family Medicine, focusing on rural Family Medicine.
Dr. Magner has practiced in rural/resource-limited settings internationally and in the US. His clinical focus is in emergency medicine, inpatient service, and outpatient clinic. He is passionate about teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels. As faculty at App Family Medicine/Elk River Medical Associates, he is excited to educate future rural Family Medicine doctors.
In his free time, Dr. Magner enjoys family time, biking, snowboarding, music, film, and photography.
Hudson McGinnis, DO
Faculty
Hudson McGinnis, DO, is a board-certified family physician from Mars Hill, NC. He attended Mars Hill College and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Blacksburg, and completed his family medicine residency in the US Air Force at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He served as a flight surgeon at Offutt Air Force Base, NE. In 2022, he returned to Western North Carolina to join MAHEC-Boone Family Medicine Residency. Hudson is passionate about rural medicine and training residents in broad scope family medicine, including prenatal and obstetric care, inpatient and outpatient medicine, newborn and contraceptive care, and vasectomies. His clinical interests include wilderness medicine, osteopathic manipulative treatment, outpatient procedures, vasectomies, and women’s health.
In his spare time, he enjoys family time with his three children, swimming, and running, and is eager to start mountain biking.
Beverly Womack, MD
Faculty
Beverly Womack, MD, is a board-certified OBGYN who joined MAHEC Boone as adjunct faculty in 2021 to establish low-risk prenatal care and gynecologic services within MAHEC Boone. She moved to Boone in 2009 as the founding physician of Harmony Center for Women and integrated her gynecologic practice into AppFamily Medicine upon the inauguration of the MAHEC Boone FM residency, finding shared goals with the faculty.
Beverly emphasizes collaboration between physicians and advanced practice clinicians and shared decision-making with patients. Her clinical interests include geriatric and adolescent gynecology, POCUS, contraception, full spectrum reproductive health education, and menopausal medicine. Surgically, she focuses on minimally invasive procedures. She is exploring group medical care and collaboration with regional health departments.
Beverly was raised in Georgia and earned her BS in Microbiology from the University of Georgia and her MD from the Medical College of Georgia (Augusta University). She practiced in Southwest Georgia before moving to Boone in 2009. Boone has been a wonderful home for her family, offering outdoor activities like hiking, gardening, mountain biking, and skiing.
Meet Our Residents: The Heart of the Boone Family
Our residents are a diverse and talented group, passionate about family medicine and serving the Boone community.
Residents PGY3
Jason Karimy, MD
Resident
Jason Karimy, MD, is originally from Littleton, Colorado. He enjoys music, snowboarding, backpacking, reading, writing, and SCUBA diving. He loves the mountains and the community in Appalachia and is passionate about rural communities, poverty, and food insecurity. He hopes to stay in Western North Carolina as a rural family medicine physician.
Daniel “Dan” Moore, MD, MPH Resident
Daniel “Dan” Moore, MD, MPH
Resident
Daniel “Dan” Moore, MD, MPH, is from Chapel Hill, NC. He attended Duke and UNC School of Medicine, also earning a Master of Public Health degree from UNC. He enjoys rock climbing, cycling, and music. He has volunteered at free clinics and served patients in Honduras and rural NC. He is excited to be part of the Boone MAHEC family and learn to treat a wide variety of medical conditions in a beautiful setting.
Anna Sparks, DO
Resident
Anna Sparks, DO, was raised in Elkin, NC. She attended Appalachian State University and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas campus (VCOM). She is passionate about rural, full-spectrum medicine and is excited to return to the high country and serve the populations of Watauga and surrounding counties. She enjoys nature trails, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Tiffany Warren, MD Chief Resident
Tiffany Warren, MD
Chief Resident
Tiffany Warren, MD, grew up in Oak Ridge, NC, and attended Wake Forest University and UNC Chapel Hill for medical school. She is passionate about women’s health, obstetrics, and lifestyle medicine. She enjoys cooking, baking, exercising, crocheting, and outdoor activities with her husband. She is excited to be part of the MAHEC Boone family and serve the community.
Isaac Werner, MD
Resident
Isaac Werner, MD, is originally from Florida and attended University of Miami and Meharry Medical College. He is interested in public health, international studies, and fitness. He enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and treating athletes. He chose MAHEC family medicine for its rural focus, sports medicine program, and beautiful location.
Residents PGY2
Mitchell Brown, DO
Resident
Mitchell Brown, DO, was born and raised in Mount Airy, NC. He attended Campbell University and developed an interest in rural, underserved, and geriatric populations. He enjoys hiking, golfing, gardening, cooking, and watching sports. He is thankful for the opportunity to serve the Western NC area.
Evelyn Frederick, DO Chief Resident
Evelyn Frederick, DO
Chief Resident
Evelyn Frederick, DO, grew up in California, Texas, and South Carolina. She attended Clemson University and Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine. She is passionate about family medicine and serving underrepresented populations. She enjoys cooking, baking, hiking, podcasts, and her dog. She is thrilled to be a resident with MAHEC Boone.
Katherine “Katie” Justo, MD Resident
Katherine “Katie” Justo, MD
Resident
Katherine Henry Justo, MD, grew up outside New Orleans, Louisiana. She attended Louisiana State University and Tulane University, and LSU New Orleans for medical school. She is interested in primary care, women’s health, and psychiatry. She enjoys sewing, baking, hiking, and spending time with her husband and dog. She is honored to serve the Boone community.
Zachary Lindsey, MD
Resident
Zachary Lindsey, MD, grew up in Linville, NC. He attended UNC Chapel Hill and East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine, completing the Rural Primary Care Track. He is passionate about rural family medicine and enjoys hiking, fishing, and skiing in the mountains. He is excited to train in Boone, where he was born.
Denisa “Savannah” Puckett, MD Resident
Denisa “Savannah” Puckett, MD
Resident
Denisa “Savannah” Puckett, MD, is originally from Mocksville, NC. She attended UNC Chapel Hill and Florida State University for medical school. She is passionate about family medicine in rural Appalachia, substance abuse treatment, and end-of-life care. She enjoys spending time with her family, pets, playing the fiddle, quilting, hiking, and kayaking.
Rachel Reed, MD
Resident
Rachel Reed, MD, is from Midway, Tennessee. She attended Wake Forest University and Wake Forest School of Medicine. She hopes to practice full-scope Family Medicine in Appalachian rural communities. She enjoys reading, crocheting, baking, hiking, and tending to her flower garden and family’s farm.
Residents PGY1
MacKenzie Cutia, DO
Resident
MacKenzie Cutia, DO, was raised in Clarion, PA, and Florida. She attended Florida Gulf Coast University and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Inspired by her father, a rural family physician, she is passionate about family medicine, women’s health, osteopathic manipulative medicine, and pediatric medicine. She enjoys hiking, brewery hopping, rock climbing, and her dog.
Olivia Dhaliwal, MD
Resident
Olivia Mangat Dhaliwal, MD, is from Erie, PA, with ties to California and other states. She taught math, science, and yoga before medicine. She hopes to practice rural family medicine, following in her grandfather’s footsteps. She emphasizes culinary and lifestyle interventions. She enjoys CrossFit, yoga, poetry, and outdoor adventures.
Haley Dicken, MD
Resident
Haley Dicken, MD, grew up in Jamestown, Kentucky. She attended the University of Kentucky for undergraduate and medical school. She is passionate about serving rural, underserved populations in Appalachia, addiction medicine, and procedures. She enjoys pickleball, tennis, hiking, thrifting, and spending time with her fiancé and cat.
Matthew “Matt” Hodges, MD Resident
Matthew “Matt” Hodges, MD
Resident
Matthew “Matt” Hodges, MD, grew up in Indiana. He attended Wabash College and Indiana University School of Medicine. He is committed to providing care to rural communities. His interests include prenatal and mom/baby dyad care, substance use disorders, and community-based participatory research. He enjoys hiking, reading, music, and antique clocks.
Mariah Hydzik, DO
Resident
Emily Moore, DO
Resident
Emily Moore, DO, is from Knoxville, TN. She attended East Tennessee State University and Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, and earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Arizona. She is interested in rural and community health, global health, and behavioral health. She enjoys cooking, movies, kayaking, thrifting, and fishkeeping.
Training Facilities: State-of-the-Art Resources for Boone Residents
The Boone Family Medicine Residency offers access to excellent training facilities, ensuring residents have the resources they need to excel.
AppFamily Medicine: Your Primary Clinic Site
AppFamily Medicine
AppFamily Medicine in Boone, NC, is the central location for our residents to provide pediatric and adult primary care. Our family medicine practice offers a same-day walk-in clinic for acute care, telehealth services, and home and hospital visits. The clinic is equipped with a conference room, resident work room, and faculty offices, fostering easy access to preceptors and resources. AppFamily Medicine is designed to be a supportive and efficient learning environment for our residents.
Watauga Medical Center: Regional Referral and Acute Care
Watauga Medical Center
Watauga Medical Center in Boone, NC, is a 117-bed regional referral medical complex providing both primary and secondary acute and specialty care. Watauga Medical Center includes numerous outpatient clinics and a diagnostics center. It is certified as a Primary Stroke Center and has earned Gold Seal of Approval® for Chest Pain Certification. Its cancer center is recognized as an approved Community Cancer Care Center. Watauga Medical Center provides a comprehensive hospital learning environment for our residents.
Mission Children’s Hospital: Specialized Pediatric Care
Mission Children’s Hospital
Mission Children’s Hospital in Asheville, NC, is a 96-bed children’s hospital, the only full-service children’s hospital in Western North Carolina. Located on the Mission Hospital Memorial Campus, it offers comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, and outreach services for infants and children. Mission Children’s Hospital provides specialized pediatric training experiences for our residents.
Charles A. Cannon Jr. Memorial Hospital: Rural Community Hospital
Charles A. Cannon Jr. Memorial Hospital
Charles A. Cannon Jr. Memorial Hospital in Linville, NC, is a 25-bed acute care hospital with a 10-bed inpatient behavioral health unit. Cannon Memorial also has a full-service emergency department, imaging department, laboratory, outpatient behavioral health, and rehabilitation center. Renovations are underway to expand acute care and behavioral health inpatient capacity. Cannon Memorial Hospital offers a valuable rural hospital experience for our residents.
Recruitment Information: Join the Boone Family
MAHEC Boone Family Medicine Residency is offering hybrid interviews this season, with both in-person and virtual options available.
Interviews will be held from October to January. In-person interviews include a social dinner (partners and families welcome) and a full interview day with tours. One night of local hotel accommodation is provided. In-person dates are: 10/13/22, 10/21/22, 10/27/22, 10/28/22, 10/31/22, 11/9/22, 11/10/22, 11/11/22, 11/14/22, 11/30/22, and 12/15/22.
Virtual interviews via Zoom are half-day and include social time with residents and interviews with faculty and residents. Virtual dates are: 10/18/22, 12/7/22, 12/9/22, 12/12/22, 1/09/23, 1/13/23.
Optional in-person second looks are offered on 2/4/23-2/5/23 and 2/25/23-2/26/23 for a deeper dive into our program and community.
Application Requirements: Your Path to Boone Residency
We invite applications via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). We will review your application and contact you for interviews. Our interview season runs from mid-October to mid-December.
A complete ERAS application includes:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation (at least one from a family physician)
- Medical school transcript(s)
- Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
- USMLE, COMLEX, or Canadian licensing exam scores (Step 1 required, Step 2 CK required before ranking, Step 2 CS preferred)
Application questions can be directed to the Residency Program Coordinator at [email protected].
Eligibility and Selection Criteria: Joining the MAHEC Family
The Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs select eligible applicants based on program-related criteria, including preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications:
- Graduate of LCME-accredited medical school in US or Canada, or
- Graduate of AOA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine in US, or
- Graduate of non-LCME/AOA-approved medical school with:
- ECFMG certificate, or
- Full US medical license in current ACGME specialty, or
- Completion of Fifth Pathway program at LCME-accredited medical school.
- Passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2 or COMLEX 1 and 2 within three attempts.
- Eligible for NC resident training license.
- Eligible to work in the U.S. (citizen, permanent resident, eligible J1 visa). MAHEC does not sponsor H1B or other visas.
VISA Sponsorship
MAHEC does not directly sponsor J-1 Sponsorship VISAs. Non-U.S. citizens needing visa sponsorship must secure sponsorship from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Contact the GME office at 828-232-2946 or [email protected] for VISA questions.
Resident Physician Contract/Letter of Agreement
Boone: Accessible Wilderness and Four Distinct Seasons
Boone’s stunning landscape is a major draw. Easy access to trails, mountains, and rivers provides an escape into nature minutes from town. The Blue Ridge Parkway offers scenic commutes and access to hiking, climbing, and water activities.
Boone Landscape
Boone experiences four distinct seasons:
- Summer: Warm, with temperatures from 60-75F. Ideal for tubing, camping, and kayaking.
- Fall: Vibrant foliage, temperatures from 50-65F. Perfect for hiking and App State football games.
- Winter: Snowy, averaging 33 inches of snow, temperatures from 25-45F. Offers sledding and skiing.
- Spring: Gentle, with temperatures from 40-70F. Great for long hikes and enjoying wildlife.
Patient Populations and Local Culture: A Diverse Community
Boone’s dynamic population, boosted by Appalachian State University, ensures residents see a wide range of patients.
Appalachian State University more than doubles Boone’s population during the school year, bringing students, faculty, and cultural events. Retirees also frequent Boone, contributing to a diverse patient panel with varied healthcare needs.
Boone and surrounding areas are home to generations of families, many of whom are farmers. Watauga County has a strong farming tradition, with 99% of farms being family-owned. These local farmers often face healthcare access challenges, and our residency is proud to provide care to this vital community. The Boone Family Medicine Residency serves a diverse patient population and is deeply integrated into the local culture.
Hospital Administration and Local Physician Support: A Connected Healthcare Community
Boone’s community hospital environment fosters strong connections and support for our residents. Hospital administration actively supports the residency program, with faculty members serving on the hospital board. Residents are integrated into the healthcare community from day one, with regular interaction with hospital leadership. The non-profit ARHS leadership prioritizes community benefit over profit.
Strong relationships with local providers ensure residents quickly integrate into the healthcare system. Specialists collaborate directly with residents and provide lectures, fostering a friendly environment for consultations and referrals. Residents have opportunities to develop electives and contribute to system improvements, with consistent support from hospital administration and local physicians. The Boone Family Medicine Residency benefits from strong hospital and community support.
Community Events and Engagement: Experience the Boone Area
Boone Community Scene
Boone and surrounding communities host numerous local events and cultural traditions throughout the year. Residents are encouraged to participate in these events and explore the region. Towns within an hour’s drive of Boone offer diverse festivals and gatherings, providing rich cultural experiences in the beautiful Appalachian setting. The Boone Family Medicine Residency values resident engagement in the local community and encourages a strong sense of place.
Scenic photos used with permission from Meta Gatschenberger.
