Educational & Professional Experience
Jennifer serves as the medical director, co-owner and a physician here at Coastal Direct Health & Wellness. Originally from out of state, she moved from her hometown in Pennsylvania to North Carolina in 2000 to pursue a degree in Marine Biology at UNC Wilmington. She graduated with a Bachelors in Marine Biology and a minor in Chemistry in December of 2003. A career in medicine was not her original plan but through various circumstances, she found herself on that path. She spent from 2005 to 2011 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During that time she obtained her Medical Degree and a Master’s in Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Education. She also received a Certificate in Global Health. She then moved to Ventura, California, to train in Family Medicine at Ventura County Medical Center, one of the most sought after Family Medicine residency programs in the country. There she studied broad spectrum family medicine - including training in surgical obstetrics, many bedside procedures, emergency medicine and pediatrics. She is an experienced Hospitalist and is also currently employed New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC but is looking forward to moving into primary care in the outpatient setting.
Background & Interests
Jennifer made the decision to pursue her medical degree largely due to her interest in working with under-served populations, particularly in developing countries. She and Kristin were fortunate to spend time overseas in that capacity on family service-oriented trips growing up. Jennifer has traveled all over the world and has spent a significant amount of time in Uganda and Haiti in a medical capacity. She currently serves as the medical director for a freestanding clinic in rural Haiti through a partnership with Aid International and as the medical director for Kythoni, Inc, a small nonprofit whose mission is to love through service.
Jennifer and her husband Josh have two adorable girls - Calista and Eleni, 11 years and nearly 9 months old respectively.
Jennifer is an avid reader and also loves camping, running, the sunshine and being on the beach.
