Swain Community Hospital is pleased to welcome Arielle Lankford, a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, to Swain Family Care located at Swain Community Hospital, 45 Plateau St. in Bryson City, beginning September 30. Lankford will provide pediatric care and joins Benjamin Gans, DO, David Johnston, MD, Tammy Johnston, MD, and Angela Struna, PA-C. Appointments may be made by calling 828.488.4205.

Lankford received a Master of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Emory University Nell Hodgson School of Nursing after earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Lankford has practiced pediatrics and primary care in western North Carolina, specifically in Sylva, Bryson City and Franklin, since 2013.

“My whole life I have gotten so much joy from helping people. I realized I wanted to practice medicine while I was on a mission trip in the Dominican Republic. I recognized that there is so much need, not just abroad but at home, and medicine is a great way to help people and show people love. Specifically, in the pediatric world, I really am grateful for the opportunity to have a positive influence on kids- not just their physical well-being but also their emotional and spiritual well-being,” said Lankford.

“Arielle is known in the region for being an excellent and compassionate pediatric provider,” said Steve Heatherly, CEO of Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital. “We are excited to welcome her to Swain Family Care, providing outstanding care to the children of western North Carolina alongside the expert team at our practice in Bryson City.”

Swain Family Care accepts adult and pediatric walk-in patients Monday through Friday in addition to scheduled appointments.

For more information, visit MySwainCommunity.com