News

Welcome Jennifer Hall, MD to the practice

The Family Health Centers is pleased to welcome Dr. Jennifer Hall to our practice beginning October 2020. Dr. Hall will serve patients at our Hominy Valley location, at 1219 Smokey Park Highway, in Candler. She has been practicing in the area since 2008, and is a Board-Certified Family Physician. Dr. Hall welcomes appointments with our […]

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Remembering Our Founder Dr. Bruce Elliston

It is with great sadness that we share the loss of our founding Medical Doctor, Bruce Elliston, MD. (Pictured – Dr. Elliston at The Family Health Centers’ 40th Anniversary Celebration in 2018.) He was an innovator and visionary who was among the first attending physicians in the new specialty of Family Practice at the MAHEC […]

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Alcohol Awareness Month in Beer City – how much is too much

By Jason T. Cook, MD
Living in the vacation hotspot we lovingly know as Asheville, we often find ourselves surrounded by various forms of alcohol. Whether it’s a new brewery, a hot new restaurant serving craft cocktails, or the Thirsty Thursday dollar beer night at the Asheville Tourists baseball club, sometimes it seems like all Asheville does is drink. So, is alcohol good or bad?

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March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

By Alan Baumgarten, MD, MPH

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Colorectal Cancer affects people in all racial and ethnic groups and the risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. More than 90 percent of cases are in people aged 50 and older. So here is the good news, if everyone age 50 and older were screened regularly, 6 out of 10 deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented. More…

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Why January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

By Laurie Panzer, PA-C
The Family Health Centers
The medical community has improved the way we screen for cervical cancer. We now screen for the Human Papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer. Today Cervical Cancer is one of the most preventable cancers because of a simple screening test called the PAP smear, and the availability of the HPV (Human Papillomavirus Virus) vaccine…

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Nov. 16 is The Great American Smokeout

By Natalie Dorsey, PA-C
Thinking of quitting smoking and don’t know how? Have you tried to quit smoking, but started back? You are not alone. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of mortality. On the third Thursday of November of each year since 1977, the American Cancer Society has sponsored the “The Great American Smokeout” to help encourage people put down their cigarettes. Here are some tried and true methods for kicking the habit:

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September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

By Megan Loomis, MD

September is here!  Kids are back in school, days are getting shorter and (thankfully) the air is getting a little cooler! September is also National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. One in three children in the US are overweight or obese, a number that has tripled in recent decades. A few practical ideas to help your children develop healthy bodies and minds…

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June is men’s health awareness month

By Dr. Jason Goldie

Although men visit the doctor less often than women, it’s just as important for men to routinely screen for certain diseases and conditions and to stay on-track with preventative care. Guys, whether you call it a checkup, a physical or a wellness exam, be sure to visit your family doctor at least every three years. Here’s what to expect at the appointment:

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Don’t Fry – Sun Safety Facts

By Dr. Laura Dressel, Medical Director, The Family Health Centers

May 24 – 2017 – Memorial Day weekend is almost here! Friday May 26, 2017 is “Don’t Fry Day.” It’s the National Council on Skin Cancer’s annual reminder to practice sun safety. Why it’s so important to avoid UV exposure, and tips on how to stay safe in the sun this weekend and all summer long…

At left – Look at these girls keeping cool and sun safe in their hats and shades!

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Introducing our Patient Care Team

You don’t need to speak to a nurse to schedule an appointment. But when you need help with your care over the telephone, our Patient Care Team is here. This team represents all of our doctors. They have access to the information that will address your questions. To speak with a member of the Patient […]

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Introducing the Heart Health NOW! Program

The Family Health Centers of Asheville, Arden & Hominy Valley is proud to be one of the North Carolina Primary Care practices selected to implement the Hearth Health NOW! Program. The evidence-based program will help us help our patients prevent heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events.

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Celebrating our new identity as The Family Health Centers of Asheville, Arden & Hominy Valley

In December 2014 Asheville Family Health Center, PA officially changed its name to The Family Health Centers, PA. “Our new identity reflects our continued focus on providing easy access to quality family medical care.” said Dr. Wendy Coin, Medical Director. “We appreciate the opportunity to support the life-long health and wellbeing of Western North Carolina families.”

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The Family Health Centers Salutes Ken Minnich, MD

The Family Health Centers, with much gratitude and admiration, congratulates Dr. Ken Minnich on his retirement from the practice on February 1, 2015. We thank Dr. Minnich for eighteen years of service and for his kindness to patients, colleagues and staff.

“My time at the Hominy Valley office was all I had hoped it would be,” says Dr. Minnich. I greatly enjoyed getting to know and trying to help the people I saw there. The staff was exceptional, working together really well, so it was fun to work there.”

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Have a chronic condition? Our workshop can help improve your quality of life.

Living Healthy is an evidenced-based health promotion program developed by Stanford University (also known as Chronic Disease Self Management Program). This six-week workshop offers education, experience and support in the practice of self-management. The Family Health Centers’ Hominy Valley location will be offering this workshop in collaboration with Land of Sky Regional Council, Area Agency on Aging on Tuesdays, February 24th – March 30th, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm.

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Dr. Alan S. Baumgarten Recognized for Service, Patient Care

CARY, NC – Alan S. Baumgarten, MPH, MD, a family physician with The Family Health Centers of Asheville, Arden and Hominy Valley, received the distinguished T. Reginald Harris Memorial Award October 24 during the North Carolina Medical Society’s fall meeting in Greensboro. The award is given annually by The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence to honor the life and memory of T. Reginald Harris, MD, one of its founding members.

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Caring for our Communties

In 2015 The Family Health Centers expanded our goals for giving back to our beloved Western North Carolina communities. As the largest independent family practice in the region, we have the flexibility to work closely with many amazing organizations. In 2015, we continued our service to: ABCCM WCMS Project Access North Carolina JDRF In 2016, […]

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September is here! Kids are back to school, days are getting shorter and (thankfully) the air is getting a little cooler! September is also National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. One in 3 children in the US are overweight or obese, a number that has tripled in recent decades. Overweight and obese children have much higher […]

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