"Vanessa Salyer, FNP-BC, a southwest Virginia native, is deeply committed to providing high-quality care to the community she has always called home. ""I grew up in southwest Virginia and understand the importance of having specialty care in our hometown,"" she says. ""My goal has always been to provide quality healthcare to our community."" Vanessa was inspired to become a nurse practitioner by family members in healthcare and a desire to make a lasting difference in patients' lives. ""I enjoy building personal relationships with each of my patients,"" she says. ""I get the privilege of having a front row seat to the positive impact I strive to achieve.""". Ms. Salyer is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Lung Nodules, Emphysema, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT), and Atrial Tachycardia.

. Her top areas of expertise are ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer.

. His top areas of expertise are Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection, Boils, Folliculitis, and Carbuncle.

. Her top area of expertise is Periodic Limb Movement Disorder.

. Her top area of expertise is Periodic Limb Movement Disorder.

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"Melanie Wade, FNP-C, believes in providing compassionate, patient-centered care guided by her philosophy: ""I want patients to feel comfortable, cared for and treated as family."" Originally from Jonesville, Viriginia, she was inspired by her mother to pursue nursing and has long maintained a strong interest in hematology/oncology caring for patients with related diagnoses throughout her career. Melanie values truly listening to her patients because ""patients know themselves the best"" which allows her to build thoughtful and effective treatment plans. Outside of work, she enjoys participating in community walkathons supporting the elderly and cancer patients and spending time with her two long-haired Chihuahuas Lulu and Pixie.".

Virginia native Mackenzie Rasnake, DNP, FNP-BC, was inspired to pursue medicine by her father, who served in healthcare and worked tirelessly to help patients and their families during difficult times. Now, as a family nurse practitioner, Mackenzie strives to help those who need her the most. Her personal philosophy when treating patients is to follow the Golden Rule and listen to them intently. “It’s important to listen to your patients,” she says. “They will give you all the information you need to know to better serve them.” When she is not working, she loves spending time outdoors exploring the Appalachian Highlands.

"Kristin Johnson, NP, is a lifelong Southwest Virginia native. She credits her aunt's role as a nurse practitioner for inspiring her to pursue a career in medicine and follow in her footsteps. Kristin says, ""I love to take care of patients and be able to show my compassion. I feel like this was the perfect specialty to be able to do just that."" What Kristin loves most about the Appalachian Highlands is, ""the mountains and how close the residents of the towns are. Everyone knows each other or a family member."" Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and being at the beach or the lake. Specialty".

"Coty Brummette, FNP-C, approaches patient care with a simple philosophy: ""I provide every patient the same level of care I would want for my own family."" Born and raised in Norton, Coty began his medical career as a respiratory therapist before transitioning to nursing. He enjoys building relationships with patients in both health and illness and values listening to their concerns to improve outcomes. Drawn to pulmonology early in his career, he credits his family's medical background for inspiring his path. Outside of work, Coty enjoys spending time with family and friends and exploring the outdoors in the Appalachian Highlands.".

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"Natasha Domby, FNP-C, specializes in cardiovascular care in Norton, Virginia. A native of southwest Virginia, Natasha is passionate about serving the community she calls home. ""Prevention and management of cardiovascular disease is crucial to an individual's quality of life,"" she says. ""Within our region, it is imperative for our patients to have access to cardiovascular services, and I am honored to be able to serve our community."" Natasha's calling to healthcare began in childhood, inspired by a deep desire to help and serve others. ""I believe all patients should be treated as if it was myself or my family,"" she says.".

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Kristina Gardner, FNP, realized she enjoyed taking care of others after helping with her grandfather, who was battling cancer. He influenced her to pursue a career in medicine and after working as an obstetric nurse, she decided to become a family nurse practitioner. Gardner says she enjoys listening to her patients to get the full picture of their situation. She strongly believes all patients deserve to be treated with respect, and it is important for them to be involved in their own care plan.

"For Stephanie Williams, FNP-BC, patient care is personal. ""I treat every patient as if they were my own family,"" she says. ""I love making a difference in people's lives, especially supporting pregnant women and seeing their children grow."" She adds, ""Women's health is a passion of mine, and I find great fulfillment in making a positive impact on the lives of other women."" A native of Wise, Virginia, Stephanie loves her home region for its beautiful mountains, abundant outdoor activities and close-knit community. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son and dogs. She also has a passion got reading and recently discovered a new hobby - saltwater aquariums.".

. Her top areas of expertise are Vitamin D Deficiency, Emphysema, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Lung Nodules.

Melinda Wright, NP-C, started her medical journey volunteering for the local emergency medical services at the age of 18. She continued her career into medicine by becoming a nurse working in the emergency department at Norton Community Hospital, which opened her eyes to see a need for primary care services in the area. Now as a family medicine clinician, Wright wants to give back to the Appalachian Highlands community where she was born and raised. “I love being surrounded by and helping my friends and family,” Wright says. “I treat every patient as if they were my family. Being able to help the people and community that means so much to me is incredibly rewarding.”. Her top areas of expertise are Emphysema and Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RMS).

. Her top areas of expertise are Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer and Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP).

While growing up in Northeast Tennessee, Serena Blevins spent time in Jonesborough with a nurse – her grandmother, who influenced her own career as a nurse and nurse practitioner. As her medical education, training and career evolved, she saw a need for more specialists in pain management and rehabilitation and that became her professional focus. Serena believes that listening to patients is part of the healing process. “It plays an important role in identifying the cause of pain and certainly in evaluating the effectiveness of treatments,” she explains. “Everyone is different. I try to keep their unique perspectives in mind when determining treatments and setting up exercise regimens.” Serena works with patients to help them regain mobility, ease pain and improve their overall quality of life. Conditions treated include:. Her top area of expertise is Muscle Spasms.

. Her top area of expertise is Emphysema.

. Her top area of expertise is Emphysema.

. Her top area of expertise is Vitamin D Deficiency.

As a teenager, Jane Kestner, CPNP-PC, fell in love with medicine while volunteering for the Norton, Virginia, Rescue Squad. She became a pediatric nurse practitioner because she is passionate about helping her patients grow healthy and happy. “I treat my patients the way I want my own children to be treated,” she says. “I believe that every individual is special and deserving of the best medical care possible.” Originally from Wise, Virginia, Kestner moved away for work and is thrilled to be back home with Ballad Health Medical Associates.

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A native of Big Stone Gap, Allison Rogers, FNP-C, considers it a privilege to serve the people of her home region. “The friendly, down-to-earth people and the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere make this community special to me,” she says. With a passion for sleep medicine, Rogers is dedicated to improving patients’ overall health and well-being. “Being a provider allows me to make a real difference in people’s lives, and that’s a privilege I don’t take lightly,” she says. Her top areas of expertise are Insomnia and Narcolepsy.