Family practice clinic offers non-emergency urgent care and walk-in services
Dr. Benjamin Gans fell in love with Bryson City, electing to devote his life to its many residents and visitors when he opened Merritt MedCare with Danielle Smiley on Oct. 21, 2024.
Merritt MedCare is a family medical care practice offering non-emergency urgent care and walk-in services, including Medicare annual wellness exams, sports physicals and employment physicals.
Merritt MedCare provides healthcare regardless of insurance or financial means. The clinic is in network with most major insurance policies, including Medicare and North Carolina Medicaid plans, as well as most commercial carriers like United Health Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna. Other payment options are available.
“It was very warm and welcoming when I would come down here on vacation,” said Gans. “When I told people that I was going to be a doctor, it was, ‘Are you going to stay? Can we get to know you? We want to make sure you’re a good fit.’ I have been in this environment long enough where people trust me to stick around.”
Gans sees anywhere from 100-120 patience per week at his clinic. A physician assistant also sees patients. They are assisted by one registered nurse and multiple medical assistants.
“Healthcare in WNC is severely lacking,” Gans said. “It takes someone who lives in the community to be able to know the community; it takes someone they trust. People who come in from other communities don’t necessarily have the personnel on staff to fill slots, which becomes a revolving door for practitioners and staff. It makes for a lack of continuity for patients.”
Gans sought out to bring locally owned and operated healthcare to Western North Carolina. In fact, a second Merritt MedCare just opened in Franklin May 27. Dr. Jason Creel oversees that clinic.
“He has been there for a longtime with a great patient base,” Gans said. “They know they can trust him. We are currently accepting new patience in both locations. It is a good idea for everyone to get a once-a-year health screen for baseline bloodwork. Some of these things don’t have symptoms you would necessarily recognize. Females need to get a pap smear starting at 21 and every five years after that. In their 40s they mammograms twice a year, every two years. Coloscopies should start at age 45. Starting at 65, people can get pneumonia and shingles vaccines. A yearly physical is great. Hypertension and high cholesterol are things we can find early and start medications and diet modification.”
Gans moved to the area eight years ago. He received his medical degree from Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University in 2014. Gans was a resident at Community South Osteopathic Family Medicine Residency Program in Indianapolis from 2014-2017. He became chief resident that same year.
“My first real job was here with Swain Family Care,” said Gans. “I worked there for four years and then I worked for Smoky Mountain Urgent Care before we started our own practice, here.”
Gans pointed to a lack of healthcare providers as motivation behind opening family practices.
“We live in a lower socioeconomic area without a lot of healthcare facilities,” Gans said. “There are not many ways to educate the population unless they go to a doctor. There is opioid abuse and methamphetamine abuse. There is a whole slew. There is not a lot of mental health help around here. Things go undiagnosed, unknown and perpetuate.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, the age-adjusted death rate per 100,000 people in Swain County from 2019-2023 was 1,338.0, falling just under Robeson County at 1,366.8. Recent trends show Swain County’s death rate rising as Robeson’s numbers stabilize.
“The best thing we can do, rather than attacking the problem when it starts, is to take preventative measures,” Gans said. “Again, see a doctor on a yearly basis to track your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. I think the answer is seeing 120 patients a week and trying to get people in here.”
Merritt MedCare is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., closed Sunday.
Merritt MedCare is located on 200 Slope Street, Bryson City. Its phone number is 828-488-0879.