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Physicians
Sam Thatcher, M.D., Ph.D.,
is the founder and director of C.A.R.S. For more detailed
information on Dr. Thatcher's background, see C.A.R.S.
history and his curriculum
vitae.
Joseph L. Kennedy,
III, M. D. received his MD
from Tufts University School of Medicine and is a third generation
physician. Dr. Kennedy was a Fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology
at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. He has focused
his research efforts on ovarian hormone regulation. For more detailed information on
Dr. Kennedy's background,
click here.
James F. Holman, M.D.
received his M.D. from the University of Arkansas. He completed
an OB-GYN residency at Emory University and a fellowship in
reproductive endocrinology/infertility at Duke University.
Following the fellowship, he joined Duke's faculty and helped
establish the IVF program, serving as its first program director.
He relocated to Roanoke Virginia in 1989 and opened the first
comprehensive infertility center in southwest Virginia. Besides
numerous publications in the medical literature, he has lectured
and written widely for general audiences and many popular
publications. A complete curriculum vitae is available upon
request.
Laboratories
William
Garside, PhD, HCLD, came to East Tennessee
from the University of Pennsylvania where he was the Associate
Director of the IVF laboratory, Director of Micromanipulation
and Senior Research Investigator in the Department of Obstetrics
and Gynecology. His major research interests have centered
around genetics, molecular biology, and early embryonic development.
He received his Ph.D. from Temple University and is one of
a select group of individuals who is a nationally certified
High Complexity Laboratory Director in Embryology and Andrology.
He is the director of the ART and andrology laboratories.
Much of Dr. Garside's work is behind the scenes, but he openly
discusses and shows each couple the results of the semen preparation
prior to IVF, the oocytes after aspiration, and the quality
of the embryos prior to transfer.
Renae
Blevins, MLT, is our endocrine laboratory
technician with over four years specializing in reproductive
endocrinology. She is often the individual who will draw your
blood sample.
Diane
Love, MLT, is one of our endocrine laboratory
technicians with many years specializing in reproductive endocrinology.
She is often the individual who will draw your blood sample.
Kae
Lewis, PhD is our Associate Embryologist.
She received her PhD from University of Waikato, New Zealand.
Her previous experience includes cell culture at the University
of Miami, Diabetes Research Institute. She works in the embryology
laboratory preparing the eggs, sperm, and embryos during in-vitro
fertilization and embryo transfer procedures.
Clinical Coordination
Kim Anders, RN, has a strong background in patient
care and education
from many years of experience in obstetrical and outpatient surgical
nursing. She works directly with the physicians assisting in procedures
and all aspects of patient care and teaching.
Rhonda
Clarke, R.N.C., is certified in maternal/child
health and prior to joining us had many years experience in
obstetric nursing. She helped pioneer the birthing suite and
prepared childbirth concept in our area. Her particular strengths
include patient education and adoption support.
Stacey
Copas, LPN is our medical assistant. Her duties
include direct patient care, as well as clerical support.
Lori Watson, RN, is a graduate of East Tennessee State University. She
has many years of experience in cardiac and intensive care nursing. She works
directly with the physicians assisting with procedures. Her special strengths
include patient education and teaching.
Administration
Vaughn
Montgomery, CPA, is our Chief Financial Officer.
He handles all internal business, physical plant operations
and the coordination of external business services.
Sheila
Hite, CPC has numerous
years experience as a medical administrator and has also been
an instructor for medical billing courses. She is responsible
for front desk operations and is the supervisor of patient
accounts, insurance and billing. Her areas of expertise include
acute knowledge of and experience with managed care. She is
an important liaison with insurance companies and is available
to assist with questions concerning insurance coverage or
any other financial concerns you may have.
Paula
Manning works in the insurance and billing
department of CARS. She has over 20 years experience in the
healthcare field. Her responsibilities are numerous and include
insurance and billing, patient accounts, and collections.
Rayetta
Bachman is our receptionist and comes to us
with many years of customer service and client relations experience.
She will be the first person you meet when you arrive at the
Center.
Kim
Browder, BBA, has a degree in accounting/finance
and manages the front desk operations. She is available to
answer questions regarding your insurance coverage, referrals,
and financial policy questions. Kim is also our cashier and
may be the last person you see after each office visit.
Julie Pierce
is the newest member of our insurance and billing staff. She
has many years of experience in the field and is primarily
responsible for the accounts after 30 days and insurance company
reimbursements.
Nutrition
Shannon
Wiederholt, RD, LDN graduated
from the University of Georgia with a degree in Family and
Consumer Sciences and a mojor in Dietetics in 1996. Since
then a major part of her professional effort has been in designing
and implementing wellness programs for corporations and hospitol
systems, including a program for obesity prevention in children.
She joined C.A.R.S. in February 2004 to continue the lifestyles
supprt program for our PCOS patients. She is available to
all patients for nutritional counseling.
Patient Advocate
Luann
Johnson, B.S. has many years of experience
as a community volunteer infertility support group leader
and now serves as our professional patient advocate. Her responsibility
is to identify ways to maximize our responsiveness to individual
patient needs. She often smoothes out any rough spots patients
may experience while undergoing fertility treatment. She assists
new patients coming into the practice and provides patient
education and emotional support. She is also the liaison with
national infertility related organizations.
Physicians
Sam Thatcher, M.D., Ph.D., is the founder
and director of C.A.R.S. For more detailed information on
Dr. Thatcher's background, see C.A.R.S.
history and his curriculum
vitae.
James F.
Holman, M.D. received his
M.D. from the University of Arkansas. He completed an OB-GYN
residency at Emory University and a fellowship in reproductive
endocrinology/infertility at Duke University. Following the
fellowship, he joined Duke’s faculty and helped establish
the IVF program, serving as its first program director. He
relocated to Roanoke Virginia in 1989 and opened the first
comprehensive infertility center in southwest Virginia. Besides
numerous publications in the medical literature, he has lectured
and written widely for general audiences and many popular
publications. A complete curriculum vitae is available upon
request.
Counseling
Melissa Himelein, Ph.D.,
is a clinical psychologist with a professional background
in counseling. Dr. Himelein received her Ph.D. in clinical
psychology at the University of Kentucky. She is currently
an Assistant Professor in Psychology at UNC Asheville. In
the provision of comprehensive infertility care, C.A.R.S.
realizes the importance of a trained counselor as part of
the health delivery team to deal with the stresses and emotions
related to infertility.
Clinical
Staff
Lisa Hall, R.N., is the
nurse coordinator. She has 20 years experience in women's
health. She will play a vital role in your day-to-day monitoring,
treatment and care you receive at CARS.
Debra Harrison is a CNA with over 15 years experience. She suffered from
infertility for 10 years but was successful after IVF. You will meet Debra during
your office visits in Asheville. She is a great addition to the CARS Asheville staff.
Barbara
Harwig, M.S., WHNP, is the nurse practitioner at CARS
Asheville. Barb has over 25 years experience in women's Health.
She works closely with the physicians and is available for
exams and ultrasounds. She is an asset to CARS as a physician
extender.
Kellie
Pressley, RN, assists the nurse coordinator with all
aspects of patient care, teaching, and education. She also
works in the procedure room and laboratory.
Administration
Kim Palmer,
MHS, is the office manager. She earned her masters
degree in Healthcare Administration from Western Carolina
University.
Stacy Watts,
B.S., received her Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare
Administration from Appalachian State University. She manages
accounts receivable and can answer questions you have about
your insurance and account.
Madeline
Kushner is the retired office
administrator for C.A.R.S. in Asheville. She has over twenty-five
years experience in medical office management. Prior to joining
C.A.R.S./Asheville, Madeline was the office manager of a pediatric
practice in Asheville for nineteen years. She is now employed
part-time at C.A.R.S.
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