UNC Health Pardee Expands Primary Care Network
UNC Health Pardee is expanding its primary care network by adding five new providers to Pardee BlueMD. Aaron Patzwahl, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician will join Pardee BlueMD - Pisgah Dr. Parker Leland, MD and Emily Sawyer, MD, both board-certified family medicine physicians and Wren George, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant will join Pardee BlueMD - 1027 Fleming Street.
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Dr. Patzwahl, who served as a physician in the United States Air Force for seven years, believes in treating each patient with dignity and respect while providing high-quality medical care. He shared that he enjoys family medicine because he gets to see all groups and care for entire families. Dr. Patzwahl was drawn to Pardee for its strong roots in the community sharing, “I look forward to working with an exceptional team to provide quality, individualized healthcare in the Hendersonville community.” When not seeing patients, he enjoys exploring the outdoors. Dr. Patzwahl is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment call (828) 694-8427.
Dr. Leland most recently worked as a hospitalist at Pardee and said he is looking forward to transitioning into a role in the primary care setting and developing long-lasting relationships with his patients while helping them meet their healthcare goals. “I love being able to care for my patients from birth through the rest of their life, and to see the whole patient and all the determinants of their health,” he shared. Dr. Leland views medicine as a partnership between clinician and patient, where his role is to educate patients about their health and empower them to make the right choices for themselves. When not seeing patients, Dr. Leland enjoys cooking, reading, Clemson sports, and spending time outdoors with his wife and two sons.
Dr. Sawyer believes in focusing on the patient, finding out what is important to them and their priorities for their health. “I understand well that navigating life’s challenges can be overwhelming, particularly when it comes to our health and well-being,” Dr. Sawyer shared. “I strive to be a trusted guide and a source of hope for my patients and their caregivers.” She added that she hopes to understand each patient’s unique story, integrating their values and goals into prevention and treatment plans that improve the quality of their lives. When she is not treating patients, Dr. Sawyer enjoys spending time outside gardening, tending to her chickens, and being a mom to two great kids.
Wren George enjoys caring for the whole person, sharing that, “primary care provides the opportunity to be the touchstone, the welcoming face and listening ear when someone is concerned about their health or wanting support making choices for their body.” George chose Pardee because of the community feel and to provide quality care for people in western NC regardless of their ability to pay. George is trained in trauma-informed care and offers substance use disorder treatment options in the primary care setting. When not seeing patients, George enjoys spending time with their animals, hiking, and exploring the small towns and obscure museums of WNC.
Drs. Leland, Sawyer and Wren George are accepting new patients at Pardee BlueMD - 1027 Fleming St. To schedule an appointment call (828) 435-8140.
Each Pardee BlueMD practice is a Federally Qualified Health Center, in partnership with Blue Ridge Health, and a subrecipient of their FQHC status. This status allows both UNC Health Pardee and Blue Ridge Health the ability to more ardently pursue innovation in reducing gaps in care, creating a more seamless delivery model, and improving patient outcomes. Each practice provides comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary healthcare services to all patients, regardless of ability to pay, particularly in the most vulnerable and underserved populations. Pardee BlueMD serves patients throughout Buncombe, Henderson, and Transylvania counties.
For more information, visit PardeeBlueMD.com.
