Chad Krisel, MD
Chad’s Personal Philosophy
My goal is to foster authentic connection with my patients, allowing us to work together to develop the most effective path forward for achieving optimal health. My aim is to listen deeply and cultivate an environment that facilitates an honest conversation.
About Chad’s Approach
My approach is built around integrative primary care. My first goal is to educate and support patients in adopting a lifestyle that fosters prevention of illness. I strive to nip things in the bud early, to prevent smaller things from becoming bigger things. I will be there for my patients during the major medical events that inevitably will come up in a person's life.
Chad Krisel, MD Bio:
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, he then pursued a medical education at Florida State University. Quickly realizing a strong connection with holistic/integrative medicine, he became a national leader in advocating for holism in medical education. While a medical student, Chad was privileged to be asked to sit on the board of the American Holistic Medical Association where he assisted in the development of national programming. Chad graduated from Florida State as an “outstanding graduate in family medicine,” and soon after came to Asheville to attend the MAHEC family medicine residency program.
Chad is passionate about bringing medical care to the underserved. He has participated in multiple international medical trips, providing needed care to the people of Panama, Guatemala, and Haiti. In addition to Integrative Medicine, he has practiced urgent care at Asheville’s Sisters of Mercy. He was previously the medical director of Three Streams Family Health Center, which is a clinic whose main focus is providing medical care to the underserved population of Asheville. Chad is board certified in Family Medicine and Holistic/Integrative Medicine. He has completed postgraduate studies in medical acupuncture through the UCLA School of Medicine. He has also completed the Roots of Herbalism course through the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine.
In alignment with the fundamental mission of Integrative Family Medicine, Chad is passionate about bringing the best of modern integrative primary care to his local Asheville community in a way that is accessible to all. He is eager to partner with his patients in order to design the best treatment options for their lives.
Chad’s medical interests include nutrition, medical acupuncture, botanical medicine, healthy lifestyle, meditation, and yoga. In his spare time, you might find Chad hiking the trails of the surrounding mountains or enjoying the local music scene.
Q & A with Chad:
Why did you choose Integrative Family Medicine as your medical practice home?
I co-founded Integrative Family Medicine because I knew that we could create something far better than what the traditional fee-for-service primary care system was offering. In 2011, we set out to create a system that provides integrative primary care rooted in authentic human connection, offered in a way that can actually save patients money. Now, many years later, I continue to be honored and privileged to practice at IFM, allowing me to have the time and space to provide unhurried visits where I can walk hand-in-hand with my patients to help them feel their very best.
What should new patients know about your approach to medical care?
My approach is non-pushy while simultaneously being honest. I lead with open-mindedness and an intent on forming a trusted relationship with my patients. My goal is to meet my patients where they are and help develop the best treatment plan that is congruent with their perspectives. I seek to educate about the benefits of optimizing exercise capacity, nutrition, sleep, and stress reduction.
What do you feel is the most important component of the patient/provider relationship?
Ultimately, I feel the most important component of the patient/provider relationship is developing trust. Without trust, it is not possible to have the hard conversations, which inevitably come up over the years in the patient/provider relationship.
What do you love most about practicing medicine?
I love connection with my patients. I love learning from my patients. I love sharing laughter and tears with my patients. Sometimes I feel I learn more from my patients than any textbook was ever able to show me. I also, in general, love learning and growing. The understanding of the amazingly complex human body is constantly evolving. I enjoy being a lifelong learner and sharing what I learn with my patients.
Who, specifically, is going to love having you as their medical provider?
Patients who are open-minded and interested in an authentic relationship with their medical provider. Patients who have an interest in improving their lifestyle habits. I place a heavy emphasis on encouraging folks to improve their daily routines, since this has been shown to have the most profound effect on decreasing the chance for disability as we age and helping to improve our lifespan.