At UNC Health Pardee, we believe strong healthcare systems are built on strong community relationships. When providers live and engage in the communities they serve, it fosters trust, understanding, and a deeper commitment to improving the health of the region. Many of our providers serve in ways that extend far beyond their medical practice, reflecting the same compassion and purpose that led them to medicine.

Doctors’ Day is on March 30 and provides an opportunity to recognize those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. At UNC Health Pardee, we celebrate doctors not only for the expert care they deliver, but also for the many ways they show up beyond the clinic walls.

Providers who give back

Across western North Carolina, many of the physicians and providers at UNC Health Pardee are deeply involved in the life of our community. You might see them volunteering with a local nonprofit, supporting their church, or lending their time and talents to neighbors in need.

 Dr. Sophie Austin.

In her free time, Pardee BlueMD physician Dr. Sophie Austin volunteers with the local 4H program, where she works with children and horses. “Working with 4H has allowed me to connect with parts of the community I don’t typically see in the clinic—local farms, extension agents, and families,” she said. “It’s a way for me to enjoy being around horses while also giving back.” Dr. Austin adds that the experience enriches her life outside of work and that a deeper understanding of the community ultimately helps her be a better physician for her patients.

Dr. Coen Klos. 

Colorectal surgeon Dr. Coen Klos finds a different kind of connection on the water as a member of the Asheville Rowing Club. His interest in rowing began during medical school in Amsterdam, and after relocating to western North Carolina, he sought out a similar outlet to stay active and meet people.

“Being the ultimate team sport, it is refreshing to connect with people outside of the ‘doctor-patient’ relationship, while still working together toward a common goal,” Dr. Klos said. Through the club, he trains and competes alongside people from a wide range of backgrounds and age groups, building connections that extend beyond his professional life.

 Dr. Daniel Drechsler

For Dr. Daniel Drechsler, a sports medicine physician with Pardee Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, community involvement takes the form of service through his church. As an elder and co-leader of a small group alongside his wife, he invests time in mentoring and building relationships with his congregation. “I've always had a strong desire to not simply go to church but to be involved in some way,” he said. “When my family and I moved to Hendersonville, we joined a local church and have enjoyed leading a small group for the past few years.” He sees medicine as a calling to serve others, taking pride in showing patients and colleagues kindness, compassion, and respect.

 PA Steven Saldutti.

Service can also take quieter, but equally meaningful forms. Steven Saldutti, a certified physician assistant with Pardee BlueMD, supports elderly neighbors by providing handyman services at no cost. What began as a simple act of kindness—helping a neighbor who had been taken advantage of by unreliable contractors—has grown into a word-of-mouth effort to assist seniors in his community. Saldutti completes essential home repairs that improve safety and independence, from installing handrails and modifying steps to fixing electrical issues and making kitchens more accessible. He often supplies materials himself and, in some cases, goes beyond repairs—spending hours helping a patient learn to use a home dialysis unit or assisting neighbors with debris removal in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

These stories reflect a broader truth: our providers are more than healthcare professionals. They are neighbors, mentors, volunteers, and community members who care deeply about the place we all call home.

A shared commitment to community

The connections providers build outside of clinical settings often strengthen the care they provide within them. Understanding the day-to-day lives of the people they serve — their challenges, passions, and communities — brings added empathy and perspective to patient care.

At UNC Health Pardee, we are proud to be part of a community where providers don’t just work here — they live here, serve here, and build lasting relationships here.

Source: UNC Health Pardee.