Geriatric Fellowship People

FellowsFaculty


Kimberly Baptiste, MD, Fellow Phone: 828-771-3412 Fax: MAHEC Family Health Center 118 W.T. Weaver Boulevard Asheville, NC 28804 After attending medical school at the University of Nebraska, I completed a Family Medicine Residency in Yonkers, NY, and worked in a hospital-based practice in upstate NY. I later became a civilian medical officer for the Department of Defenseb and was privileged to care for active duty soldiers, dependents and retirees at Ft. Bragg, NC, for the past 5 years. It was working at the local veterans’ nursing home that I got my first real exposure to geriatric medicine. I had no idea how much I would enjoy it! If you had told me in residency that I would become a geriatrician, I would have laughed. Sure, I liked taking care of older patients. But to focus on them exclusively? Never in a million years did it cross my mind. Now here I am, learning how to care for “the greatest generation,” from experienced faculty who love to teach. We are looking forward to exploring the western part of NC over the next year. I hear there are bears in our mountain neighborhood. The kids have been begging for a dog. Hmmm. I’ll keep you posted.
Aruna Josyula, MD, Fellow Phone: 828-771-3412 Fax: 828-257-4738 MAHEC Family Health Center 118 W.T. Weaver Boulevard Asheville, NC 28804 Everything about coming to Asheville for the geriatric fellowship has fallen into place like it was meant to be. I have known from the time I started my Family Medicine residency in Austin, Texas, that I wanted to do geriatrics. Coming to do that training here in Asheville has felt just right for my family and me. I’ve lived in many places: born in New York City, grew up in St. Louis, went to medical school in India, and finally, did residency in Austin. I found people and things that I connected with in each of those places, but it took time. After having lived in Asheville for only a few weeks, I am charmed by the city and the people I have already become close to – my neighbors and my fellowship family. As the days go by, I feel more and more strongly that this city just might be the place we put down our roots. My husband, Raj, is starting to explore his lifelong dream of farming by becoming involved in the vibrant sustainable agriculture community here. We are excited to share the natural beauty of this city with our two-year-old son, Guru Om, and hope that he will learn to love Mother Nature and develop a connection with her that lasts into adulthood. I am looking forward to developing deeper relationships with the wonderful individuals at MAHEC and, with their help, becoming a more thorough and caring doctor for my patients.

Kimberly Baptiste, MD, Fellow
Phone: 828-771-3412
Fax:
MAHEC Family Health Center
118 W.T. Weaver Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28804

After attending medical school at the University of Nebraska, I completed a Family Medicine Residency in Yonkers, NY, and worked in a hospital-based practice in upstate NY. I later became a civilian medical officer for the Department of Defenseb and was privileged to care for active duty soldiers, dependents and retirees at Ft. Bragg, NC, for the past 5 years. It was working at the local veterans’ nursing home that I got my first real exposure to geriatric medicine. I had no idea how much I would enjoy it! If you had told me in residency that I would become a geriatrician, I would have laughed. Sure, I liked taking care of older patients. But to focus on them exclusively? Never in a million years did it cross my mind. Now here I am, learning how to care for “the greatest generation,” from experienced faculty who love to teach.

We are looking forward to exploring the western part of NC over the next year. I hear there are bears in our mountain neighborhood. The kids have been begging for a dog. Hmmm. I’ll keep you posted.

Aruna Josyula, MD, Fellow
Phone: 828-771-3412
Fax: 828-257-4738
MAHEC Family Health Center
118 W.T. Weaver Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28804

Everything about coming to Asheville for the geriatric fellowship has fallen into place like it was meant to be. I have known from the time I started my Family Medicine residency in Austin, Texas, that I wanted to do geriatrics. Coming to do that training here in Asheville has felt just right for my family and me.

I’ve lived in many places: born in New York City, grew up in St. Louis, went to medical school in India, and finally, did residency in Austin. I found people and things that I connected with in each of those places, but it took time. After having lived in Asheville for only a few weeks, I am charmed by the city and the people I have already become close to – my neighbors and my fellowship family. As the days go by, I feel more and more strongly that this city just might be the place we put down our roots.

My husband, Raj, is starting to explore his lifelong dream of farming by becoming involved in the vibrant sustainable agriculture community here. We are excited to share the natural beauty of this city with our two-year-old son, Guru Om, and hope that he will learn to love Mother Nature and develop a connection with her that lasts into adulthood. I am looking forward to developing deeper relationships with the wonderful individuals at MAHEC and, with their help, becoming a more thorough and caring doctor for my patients.


Amy Cohen , MD Director, Geriatrics Fellowship Program Phone: 828-258-0670 Fax: 828-257-4738 MAHEC Family Health Center 118 W.T. Weaver Boulevard Asheville, NC 28804 I am a native Western North Carolinian having grown up in Morganton, NC. After attending UNC Chapel Hill as an undergraduate studying Biology, I then entered ECU's Brody School of Medicine graduating in 2005. I chose to pursue a residency in Internal Medicine in Greenville, SC. As a medical student and as a resident I rotated here at MAHEC and fell in love with the faculty, staff, setting, and the opportunities that MAHEC offers. After graduating from residency, it was an easy and exciting decision to move to Asheville to complete a fellowship in geriatrics with MAHEC. I am honored to join their Geriatric Fellowship Faculty. I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring WNC.
Tim Plaut , MD Family Practice Physician - Geriatrics Phone: 828-771-3460 Fax: 828-257-4739 MAHEC Family Health Center 118 W.T. Weaver Boulevard Asheville, NC 28804 I am delighted to be joining the MAHEC team! I grew up in Western North Carolina and love it here. I am joining MAHEC after a winding journey. I entered the Navy as a hospital corpsman out of high school and after spending 4 years in the service went to Mars Hill College. To help pay the bills while in school, I worked as a clinical assistant, home health aide, and Hospice Volunteer with the Hot Springs Health Program. It was during this time that I decided to go to medical school, and developed a love for family medicine, and geriatrics in particular. I attended Medical School at East Carolina University, and did my Family Practice training at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville. Subsequently I worked for two years as a clinical instructor at ECU. Prior to working at MAHEC I spent 10 years in private practice. I am married to Robyn, and we have two wonderful children, Sarah and Hannah. I enjoy cycling, hiking, nature, the Red Sox and spending time with my family.
Maggie Weshner , EdD Mental Health Professional Phone: 828-258-0670 Fax: 828-257-4738 MAHEC Family Health Center 118 W.T. Weaver Boulevard Asheville, NC 28804 Maggie Weshner, EdD, attended undergraduate and graduate school at the University of Georgia and spent 28 years in college student mental health before coming to MAHEC Division of Family Medicine in May of 2007. She is dedicated to integrated primary care, loves working with residents, and has recently become interested in studying the nature of resilience and well being. She enjoys cooking, hiking, reading and traveling, and has two beautiful daughters, Anna, 17, and Tobie, 14.
Kate Zurich , PA-C Physician Assistant Phone: 828-258-0670 Fax: 828-257-4738 MAHEC Family Health Center 118 W.T. Weaver Boulevard Asheville, NC 28804 I completed my Physician Assistant training at Emory University. I enjoy my work with older adults, as well as hiking, reading and meditation.

Geriatrics

Geriatrics Home

(828) 771-3412
118 W.T. Weaver Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28804

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“The experience I gained during my fellowship helps me on a daily basis. Having additional training in Geriatrics has opened new doors for me professionally and being a Geriatrician has been a very rewarding progression in my practice as a physician. I am grateful to the MAHEC staff for their support throughout this process.
Kimberly Morris, MD”

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