Our Personnel
Clinical Team
Medical Director
Dr. Pittman is dedicated to the research-based integration of alternative, complementary and conventional treatments for achieving optimal health and maximizing the natural healing capabilities of the body. He received his B.S. in biology in 1980 and completed studies for an M.S. in biochemistry and microbiology at the University of Georgia in 1982. He received his M.D. degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia in 1986 and attended the Pediatric Residency Program at NC Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with an emphasis in Preventive Medicine. Later, while serving as Emergency Department Director at hospitals in Rocky Mount and Southport, NC, he began exploring ways to combine conventional medicine with nutrition, botanicals, and other natural therapies as an integral part of clinical medical practice.
Since founding the Carolina Center in 1994, Dr. Pittman has further enhanced his understanding of integrative medicine through clinical training at the Autism Research Institute and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society’s Physician Training Program. A long-time student of biological detoxification strategies, he is certified by the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology. He has lectured frequently at the UNC School of Medicine’s Program on Integrative Medicine and presently serves as a member of the state's Vector Disease Task Force and as President of the North Carolina Integrative Medicine Society. www.ncims.com
Nutrition Educator & Health Coach
Over the past two decades, Mark has served as a nutrition educator and health coach for four integrative medicine clinics. Mark received his master’s degree in nutrition at the UNC School of Public Health, as well as biology and science education degrees from Reed College and East Carolina University, respectively. Mark currently serves as an associate editor for a peer-reviewed cancer journal and as a consultant to the Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Education. Under his pen name Nathaniel Mead, he has written numerous articles for national and international magazines and coauthored several health books. He has lectured at the National College of Natural Medicine, Duke University, Elon University, and UNC School of Medicine.
Among Mark’s primary functions at the Carolina Center is to teach people nutritional and lifestyle strategies for health promotion and disease prevention, drawing from his extensive experience with different diets, supplement regimens, exercise systems (including 15 years of experience as a Tai Chi instructor), meditation and stress management programs. He also works closely with Dr. Pittman in the design of research-based integrative medicine protocols to help people recover from cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic degenerative diseases.
Venica Harris, CMA
Clinical Care Coordinator
Venica joined the U.S. Armed Forces in 2003 after graduating from San Bernardino High School in Los Angeles. While serving in the military, she maintained medical supplies initially in Germany and later in Iraq. In 2005, she left the army and went on to complete her Associates Degree as a Medical Assistant at Miller-Motte College. She is currently working towards completing her education at North Carolina Central University to become a nurse practitioner. Since joining the Carolina Center in 2010, Venica has worked as the Clinical Care Coordinator and is committed to providing excellent customer service. She also assists Dr. Pittman in the initial information intake for office visits.
Shari Mewborn, RN, BSN
Colon Hydrotherapy Nurse
Shari Mewborn, RN, currently oversees the Colon Hydrotherapy Program and is the only registered nurse in the state who is also an I-ACT Board-Certified Colon Hydrotherapist. She joined our staff in 2004 with specific interest in detoxification and colon health as they relate to whole-body health and wellness. Under Shari’s supervision, the Center’s Colon Hydrotherapy Program has evolved to include nurse evaluations, on-going counseling and teaching, oral cleanses and other detoxification strategies, and guidance with digestive system care upon request and based on individual needs. Shari received her Colon Hydrotherapy training through Specialty Health in Phoenix, AZ, and The Center of Classical Teachings in Atlanta, GA. In addition to delivering high-quality Colon Hydrotherapy, she takes special care to ensure that new patients understand the key elements of their treatment program. Shari works closely with Dr. Pittman to provide high-quality colon hydrotherapy.
Barbara Browning
Colon Hydrotherapy Technician
Barbara has been interested in integrative medicine for decades. She received practical nurse training at Broward Community College. She became actively interested in colon hydrotherapy (CHT) in 2006. In 2009, she joined the Carolina Center and began training with Shari Mewborn, RN, as a CHT technician. Barbara’s current activities at the Center are divided between assisting with colon hydrotherapy and scheduling of patients for office visits and CHT sessions.
Stephanie Cox, CNA
Medical Lab Technician
Stephanie Cox received a large part of her training in the U.S. Air Force and became certified as a Nursing Assistant in 2006. She is currently pursuing a degree in biology at NC State University and taking a paramedic class locally. Stephanie came to the Carolina Center in August 2008, performing collection of blood and preparing blood for transportation and lab testing. She also assists with IV therapies, venipuncture, recording of vital signs, and performing EKGs. Stephanie is also a big fan of vegetarian nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
Elena Schertz, RN
IV Nurse
Elena Schertz graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing from Michigan State University in 1987. She moved to NC in 1988 and worked in an adult cardiac unit for a year before beginning work in pediatric oncology. She has served as a pediatric oncology nurse at UNC Hospitals for the past 22 years. She became interested in holistic, integrative health in the late 1990s and is passionate about healing the body physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. In 2003, Elena completed a four-year training in the use of bio-energetic healing approaches at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing.
Administrative/Front Office Team
Christopher Getz, MSW, PhD
Practice Administrator
A member of our team since December 2009, Chris manages and oversees all operations in the administrative and clinical domains of the Carolina Center, along with numerous other duties that help make our facility run smoothly and efficiently. His primary goal is to ensure that each and every patient at the Carolina Center is given the care they deserve. He comes to us with an extensive working and teaching background, having worked as a Paramedic, Physician’s Assistant, Professor, a Forensic Science consultant, and a Social Worker specializing in Disease Management. He received his master’s degree in Social Work in 2001, and his doctorate in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Forensic Science.
Chris is both an integrative and forward thinker, which makes him ideal for our practice. He has had articles published on research and development in disease management, Martial Arts theories, quantum physics, and various genetics and behavioral topics. In 1969, he was part of a youth research group at Union College in Schenectady, New York, which was involved in understanding the character development of humans at the cellular level. He currently sits on advisory boards with the Science Association, the Society of Police and Criminal Psychology, and the National Post Doctoral Association, and belongs to numerous professional organizations in the medical, mental health and criminal justice fields.
Younger Mattox
New Patient Coordinator
Younger serves as our New Patient Coordinator. His primary duties include scheduling of new patient appointments and processing of new patient information. A native of North Carolina with a degree in Business Administration, it seems that Younger has always been in the medical field. Along with owning a pediatric coloring book company for 14 years, he has been cultivating a personal passion for educating people about effective health care since 1984.
Sharon J. Reynolds
Billing & Insurance Coordinator
Sharon joined the staff of the Carolina Center in May 2008. As a staff member, she performs the tasks of Accounts Receivables Clerk, Medical Biller, and Thermography Technician. She has over 20 years of experience in Accounts Receivables and is a certified Medical Biller. She also has two years experience as a thermography technician. Sharon received a Bachelors degree in Psychology from East Carolina University, Greenville, NC (minoring in Composite Science). In addition, she completed Harvard University’s Health Careers Program and the Medical Billers Program at Allied Schools, Laguna Hills, CA.
Marketta Johnson, MA
Medical Adminstrative Assistant
Marketta Johnson is a native of Detroit, MI. After graduating from River Rouge High School, she went to pursue her college degree at Alabama A&M Univeristy where she studied Marketing. Realizing that helping people with medical conditions was her true passion, she went on to receive her Medical Assisting and Medical Billing Degree at Dorsey Schools in MI. She volunteered at People’s Community Health Center in Michigan, where she assisted doctors and helped with billing. In 2007, she moved to North Carolina in search of employment opportunities before joining the Carolina Center in 2010.
Rita Stell
Bookkeeper
Rita has worked in the accounting/bookkeeping field for over twenty years in a number of different industries. She joined the staff in February 2010, performing the bookkeeping functions for the Carolina Center and Total Health Nutrition/Carolina Thermascan. She has a B.S. in Psychology from Appalachian State University and a B.S. in Accounting from North Carolina Wesleyan College.
