Meet Our Medical Staff
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John C. Pittman, M.D., Medical Director
Dr. Pittman is a graduate of Mercer University School of Medicine, studying pediatrics in his Residency at Wake Forest University then worked as an Emergency Physician in eastern North Carolina.
Since founding the Carolina Center in 1994, Dr. Pittman has been a tireless student of Integrative and Functional Medicine, undergoing extensive training in nutritional medicine, environmental toxicity, immune deficiency and evaluation and treatment of tick-borne illness.
Dr. Pittman was the co-founder of the North Carolina Integrative Medical Society, is an active participant and committee member of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, and for the last 20 years has been the pre-eminent specialist treatment tick borne infection in North Carolina. From the beginning, Dr. Pittman’s vision for the Center was to bring together multiple healing modalities in order to help patients overcome chronic degenerative illnesses and bolster their health and wellness.
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Amanda Roper, PA-C., Physician Assistant
Amanda Roper is a native of North Carolina. She has always been interested in health care and knew from an early age that Physician Assistant was the career path for her. She received her BS in Biology with minor in chemistry from Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC in 2011 and continued at Methodist University PA Program, receiving her Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies in December 2013. Amanda has held various positions before finding her way to Carolina Center. She has experience in family medicine, pediatrics, and women’s health.
Amanda has a passion for Integrative Medicine, seeing firsthand the issues with traditional medical practices and understanding the need for a holistic approach to healthcare and health concerns. Amanda and her husband Powell enjoy outdoor activities at their coastal river home, relaxing, spending time with friends and family, crocheting, and cuddles with her Border Collie, Jackson.
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Lindsey Adams, FNP-BC., Nurse Practitioner
Lindsey Adams (Neely) is a New Jersey native that has lived in Raleigh since 2020. She received her Bachelor's Degree with a minor in Gerontology from James Madison University in Virginia. Lindsey was an ICU and charge nurse in Washington D.C. for 8 years before receiving her Master's Degree at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
Lindsey has always had an interest in preventive medicine and has seen firsthand the shortcomings of the sick care healthcare model. Lindsey worked as a Nurse Practitioner in primary care, obesity medicine, and integrative medicine prior to finding her way to Carolina Center. She is currently finishing up her Functional Medicine Certification. Lindsey enjoys spending time with her son, husband, therapy dog/Golden Retriever Charlie, friends, and extended family. She loves to travel, cook, read, garden, and bake sourdough
Meet Our Clinical Staff
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Nyree Charles, RN, BSN
Nyree began her healthcare journey in 1990 as a Medical Assistant, where she developed a deep appreciation for patient care and the vital role healthcare professionals play in people’s lives. She soon realized her calling was to become a nurse earning her Associate Degree in Nursing in 2017 then a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Throughout her studies, she has been driven by a passion for holistic care and wellness, believing that true healing encompasses the mind, body, and spirit. Her experiences as a mother of three has further enforced her understanding of the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care. Nyree brings both her personal and professional experiences into her practice as she strives to empower her patients to achieve not only physical well-being but also a sense of balance and fulfillment in their lives.
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Karla Melcher, RN, BSN
Karla received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with High Distinction from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1996 and was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Early In the nursing career, she was intrigued by the aging & disease process and began to study about wellness & disease prevention. Through her own health challenges she learned about holistic health care and discovered that food allergies and toxins were the root causes of her condition. With the help of an integrative clinical nutritionist, she was able to restore her health.
As an Integrative and Functional Medicine Nurse, she helped patient learn that what we put into our body’ matters and that with the right resources, we can move toward healing. Karla is certified in heavy metal toxicology and chelation therapy from the International IV Nutritional Therapy Global Physician Education and performs IV infusion therapy for the Carolina Center as well as our affiliated practice, Restore Health & Wellness.
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McKinley Mather-Pike, RN
McKinley graduated with her Associate’s Degree in Nursing in 2016. She then spent a year in South Africa doing community health education in a rural township with a small non-profit run by her now-husband’s family. Upon returning to the States, she worked as a hospital nurse while pursuing her bachelor’s at UNC Wilmington, completing her BSN in 2019. She has always had an interest in integrative medicine, having a passion for a holistic approach that seeks to find root causes. She entered the field of nursing to partner with people in their health journeys with a whole-person perspective.
McKinley is passionate about wellness, outdoor recreation and adventure, and gardening-especially when her husband and little boy are beside her. She is strongly connected to her patients and their stories and enjoys incorporating that relational context to create stronger nursing care. McKinley joined Carolina Center Wilmington location in 2023 where she provided colon hydrotherapy and IV infusion therapies.
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Tachelle Griffis, CMA, NBCHT
Tachelle was born and raised in Raleigh, NC where she currently resides with her son Xavier. She graduated from Miller-Motte College in 2019 with her Associate’s Degree in Applied Science as a Certified Medical Assistant and starting work at the Carolina Center shortly afterward. She worked in our office for two years, gaining valuable experience in Colon Hydrotherapy, then underwent a one year training course through the International Association of Colon Therapists, gaining her National Board Certification in Colon Hydrotherapy in 2024. In her free time, she enjoys the beach, the pool, anything aquatic, and a good laugh! Her Motto is “Don’t worry, be happy!”
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Kelly Dansby, LMBT
Kelly is a Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage Therapist offering Vodder Method Full body and Multi-day Manual Lymphatic Massage. Kelly graduated from the Healing Arts and Massage School in Raleigh, NC in 2019 and was licensed with MLD International in 2020. Kelly bring 10+ years of social work and education experience working with populations with special needs, chronic disability, and rehabilitation service coordination. Her personal experience with a connective tissue disorder, co-infections of Lyme Disease and lymphedema have led to a natural holistic mindset to health and wellness, with a passion for educating others about the benefits of lymphatic awareness and massage. Kelly joined the Carolina Center in Raleigh in 2021 where she has provided Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage as well as earned certification as a Thermographic Technician, performing infrared thermal imaging for our affiliate company, Carolina Thermascan.
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Denise Kohler, MSA Technician
Denise was born in Canada and spent most of her childhood in Detroit. In 1992, she moved to the Triangle where she was a patient at the Carolina Center in the late 90’s. As an excellent cook, she has always been interested in health and healthy eating. A True Mermaid, she moved to the NC Coast in 2006. The Carolina Center Wilmington location provided her with the opportunity to join the Total Health and Carolina Center as their Wilmington MSA Technician. As a Certified Technician, she works with outside clients, as well as Carolina Center Patients. Since starting her role with MSA, she continued her studies and is Certified as a Health and Detox Coach as well as a Certified Functional Nutritionist. Denise continues to study health and nutrition and is available to assist you in your Path to Health.
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Andrea Williams, RMA, Patient Coordinator
Andrea was born and raised in Ocala, Florida. She moved to Raleigh, NC in 2012 with her beautiful daughter. She graduated from Miller-Motte College in Sept. 2016 with an Associates Degree In Applied Science, joining the Carolina Center staff shortly after graduating. She has been in the healthcare industry for over 20 yrs. and enjoys getting to know our patients, working as their health care advocate. With her caring demeanor she strives to make The Carolina Center a welcoming environment. In her free time, she enjoys mediation, relaxation, taking care of the elderly and spending time with family.
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Erica Jones, MPH, Practice Manager
Erica is a native of Orangeburg, SC and received a BA in Sociology and BFA in Graphic Design from Claflin University in 1998. She received a Master’s Degree in Public Health and Leadership with a concentration in Epidemiology in 2015 and also holds a graduate certificate in Healthcare Informatics. After years working in conventional healthcare settings, Erica became interested in holistic and natural medicine and since 2017 has studied a wide range of natural health modalities culminating in becoming a Board-Certified Holistic Health Practitioner. She enjoys sharing her knowledge through women’s health panels and group discussion sessions, also hosting her podcast called, “Brown Girl Table Talk”. Erica takes a therapeutic intuitive approach to healthy healing and provides a woman centered approach to all female clients to create life changing experiences. Erica has the key components to aspire women into mindset shifts that will unlock deeper space for growth. Erica takes a 7 step Mindset Growth Strategy to support her clients. cription goes here