Seeking mental health support can be stigmatized in the culture at large. But for health care providers, the stigma associated with experiencing a mood disorder or feeling overwhelmed can be even more pronounced.

Seeking mental health support can be stigmatized in the culture at large. But for health care providers, the stigma associated with experiencing a mood disorder or feeling overwhelmed can be even more pronounced.
“We are particularly grateful for physician support of Project Access. More than 700 area physicians donate their time and talent to care for low-income, uninsured patients, working to address inequities in health care.”
“I’m inspired to do this work by my own experience. I do what I do to help people get the access to services that I didn’t have as an immigrant child with an undocumented family.”
Medical caregiving brings with it a high risk of burnout. More than half of U.S. physicians experience substantial symptoms of burnout, according to a 2017 paper. The Western Carolina Medical Society has made physician burnout a priority in its strategic plan and is taking steps to prevent and treat it.
Nine local panelists recently debated a fundamental question about health care: Is it a right or a commodity?
Though more Buncombe County residents now have health insurance than ever before, many of the poorest are still falling through the cracks.
Workplace health initiatives are cropping up in Western North Carolina. Large hospital systems such as Mission Health and Park Ridge, as well as business owners and organizations like the Western North Carolina Medical Society, are starting to think “inside” the box: They’re creating in-house wellness programs that help employees lose weight, lower stress, get more exercise […]
Mountain Xpress is thrilled to announce the inaugural recipient of the Julian Award (sponsored by Harmony Motors). Shaneka Simmons will be presented with the $1000 prize on Nov.1 at the Give!Local kickoff party at the Orange Peel.
In this article, Dr. Janet Bull, medical director at Four Seasons Compassion for Life in Henderson County, explains the difference between palliative care and hospice as part of a series presented by the Western Carolina Medical Society. This is a frequent question that people often ask us at Four Seasons Compassion for Life. First of all, […]
Whether you run or whether you walk, Dr. Michael Shea, who works as a primary care sports medicine physician at Blue Ridge Bone and Joint, shares some tips on how to keep your Achilles tendon strong and injury-free. (Photo courtesy of the Western Carolina Medical Society)
Local dermatologist Dr. Currie Custer explains how to stay safe from sun damage this summer and why it’s so important to slap on the sunscreen. (Photo courtesy of WCMS)
In recognition of American Stroke Month, Dr. Alex Schneider and Dr. Jennifer Jones write about the different types of stroke, the signs and how you can prevent one. Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability the United States and the fourth leading cause of death. (Image courtesy of the American Heart Association)
In honor of March being national nutrition month, Vice President for Women’s and Children’s Health at Mission Hospital and Medical Director for Mission Children’s Hospital, Dr. Susan Mims, writes a post about pediatric nutrition. (Photo courtesy of the Western Carolina Medical Society)
In this feature from the Western Carolina Medical Society, general cardiologist with Asheville Cardiology Associates, Dr. Rhoda B. Brosnan, dispels some of the myths surrounding heart disease and women.
January is national cervical cancer awareness month. Here, Dr. Robin Matthews writes about the importance of the HPV vaccination and gives us some facts about cervical cancer. (Photo courtesy of the Western Carolina Medical Society)
When patients in Henderson and Transylvania Counties tell doctors where it hurts next year, their spoken language won't cause additional harm or discomfort. For patients who are already suffering, “Having a language barrier and being forced to get a community member or family member to talk for you puts your health information out there for […]
In a contributed article from the Western Carolina Medical Society, Dr. John Morris, palliative care director at Four Seasons, writes about palliative care: what it means, what it does and why it can make a difference. November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. (photo of John Morris provided by WCMS)
Local physician Sesalie Smathers writes about what it means to treat breast cancer on a day-to-day basis, and gives the community facts about this disease during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Western Carolina Medical Society shares information about its Living Healthy program. The program was designed specifically for people with one or more chronic health conditions. For the first time, the class is now being offered in Spanish.