About Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville

We believe that healthcare can be done differently. The majority of illnesses in the United States are either preventable or treatable through more natural means. We know this approach is both empowering and affordable for patients. It is also more sustainable for our economy and environment.

We address the whole person, family, and community by teaching our patients the skills they need to take better care of themselves. By focusing on nutrition, fitness, healthy relationships, and personal growth, we guide our patients in making healthy lifestyle choices that encourage optimal health and wellbeing.

Our Integrative Life Membership combines the principles of simplicity, sustainability, quality, and collaboration, in offering comprehensive primary-care services with an integrative approach for less than what most people are paying for their phone or cable bills.

MEET YOUR PROVIDERS

We are a team of Holistic, Integrative Practitioners who are dedicated to helping you lead a healthy, happy, integrated life.

Elizabeth Frost

PA-C

Liz grew up in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado and graduated with honors from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. She found her way to North Carolina in 2007 landing first at Lake James and eventually moving to Asheville…Read More

Melissa King

PA-C

Melissa was born in Michigan, raised in Arkansas, and considers herself a down-to-earth southern girl with a mid-western twist.

She went to University of Central Arkansas where she earned a bachelors of science degree in Exercise Science and minor in Nutrition. After graduating, ….Read More

Chad Krisel

Chad grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, earning an undergraduate degree in environmental science with minors in religious studies and natural resource ethics from the University of Florida. Seeking to combine this education with his passion for serving others, Read More

Brian Lewis

MD MPH

Brian was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and pursued his undergraduate, medical and public health studies at UNC-Chapel Hill. He has over 25 years of experience in Holistic & Integrative Medicine. He is passionate about personalized lifestyle medicine as the foundation of sustainable health care…Read More

Heidi Schulz

PA-C

Heidi grew up in the natural beauty of the Connecticut countryside. She attended Drew University and Rutgers/University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She uses her extensive training in nutrition and natural healing to partner with patients in achieving their health goals…Read More

Katherine Wilson

MSHN

Katherine Wilson, MSHN and Nutrition Consultant, partners with people in making nutrition and lifestyle changes to achieve optimal wellness. Her focus is transitioning people to a whole food diet and… Read More

Ariana Figuerora

Health Coach

Ariana Figueroa is an Integrative Health Coach trained by Duke Integrative Medicine. She works to help patients bridge the gap between personal goals, expert medical recommendations, and the ability to incorporate both into their daily lives. She is passionate about the Health Coaching process and the power of its platform to empower people to reach their goals...Read More

MEET OUR STAFF

Ela Twigg

Practice Administrator

Raised in West Virginia near the Maryland border, Ela attended the University of Maine where she earned a BA in cultural anthropology. With a professional background in the healing arts, social services, customer service, sales, and office management, Ela brings to IFMA her expertise in and combined passions for promoting individual, community, and environmental healing…Read More

Brandi Oltmann

Front Office Supervisor

Brandi was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Chapel Hill, NC, where she attended UNC-G with studies in Biology and English. In 1998 she moved from Chapel Hill to Western North Carolina and finally put down roots in Asheville in 2001. Brandi’s love of biology led her to the medical field, and she has been an integral part of several medical offices in WNC...Read More

Caitlyn Caskey

Certified Medical Assistant

Caitlyn was raised in Asheville, NC, before moving to Pittsburgh, PA in her late teens. While in Pittsburgh, Caitlyn began CNA classes at St. John’s Specialty Care Center and very quickly became passionate about working in healthcare...Read More

Hannah Ritter Paulin

Front Office Associate

Hannah was born in New Hampshire but grew up throughout South and North Carolina. The love of the mountains but lack of any real experience living in a winter climate led her to Asheville. She moved to the area in 2008 to pursue a degree in history at UNC Asheville and has remained here since...Read More

Savannah Petty

Front Office Associate

Savannah is an Asheville native who recently spent two years living in Knoxville, TN, working as a loan clerk with a local credit union. Friends and family ultimately brought Savannah back to the Blue Ridge Mountains and in turn, to IFMA...Read More

MEET THE FOUNDERS

Two traditionally trained MDs who left their practice to create a new, holistic vision of healthcare.

Chad Krisel, MD & Brian Lewis, MD MPH

Integrative Family Physicians

Drs. Krisel and Lewis both share the ideals of sustainability, holism, service, and personal cultivation. They met through advocacy work in medical school, and later became close friends while completing the Family Medicine residency program in Asheville, NC.

During residency they faced the big question that frustrates primary care doctors: How do we address the needs of the people we serve when conventional medical practice does not provide the time or resources to address the full scope of people’s health concerns? In asking themselves how they could practice medicine differently they wanted to create a model clinic that would demonstrate a simple, transparent, and integrative approach to health care. They selected the best, evidence-based elements from conventional Western medicine and combined them with complimentary / traditional healing arts.