Jesse Pace, D.O.
Dr. Pace is currently seeing patients of all ages!
Kerry Dalton, PA-C
Darus Henson, FNP-C
A native of WNC, Darus grew up in the Morganton area. He obtained a BS in nursing from Eastern Carolina University in 2008 and spent the next 10 years working as an RN in the Emergency Department. In 2017 Darus completed his training to become a nurse practitioner from East Tennessee State University. His experience as a practitioner is broad, spending time in surgical, wound care, and urgent care services before making the transition into primary care full time.
Darus chose primary care because it allows him to slow down and build relationships with patients. Family medicine has provided him new joy in healthcare, while allowing him to utilize all of his previous skills learned in other specialties. Darus has proven to be a compassionate member of the Old Fort Family Medicine team. He demonstrates this daily in his commitment to his patients.
Outside of work Darus enjoys spending time with family and friends. He is usually trying to find time for the outdoors where he enjoys shooting, hunting, or floating on a lake. Darus considers himself blessed with a wife and 2 children who are the light of his life.
Darus is currently accepting new patients ages 6 months and up!
Anya Shtymak, PA-C
Anya received her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC in 2004. From there she worked as a registered nurse until pursuing her passion to become a Physician Assistant (PA). Anya graduated from the Physician Assistant program at Duke University in 2010 with a Master’s degree in health science. She discovered her love for primary care very early in her time at Duke.
After graduating Anya moved back to Asheville and has been serving the McDowell County community since 2011. She places a strong emphasis on preventative medicine and strives to provide a holistic approach to her care. Anya has consistently been a strong advocate for her patients, proving to be an invaluable part of the Old Fort Family Medicine team.
Outside of work Anya enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. They enjoy hiking, nature, and making s’mores in the backyard fire pit. Most of all Anya enjoys snuggling with her kids before bedtime.
Anya is currently accepting new patients ages 2 years and up!
Brian Ware, D.O.
Dr. Ware was raised in Florida and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Central Florida in Orlando in 2008. After college he received his doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, FL in 2013. From there he completed his Family Medicine residency at Florida Hospital in Orlando in 2016. He is board-certified in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment.
After residency Dr. Ware moved to western North Carolina to take advantage of the outdoor lifestyle and moderate climate. In his spare time he enjoys backpacking, fishing, hiking, and camping with friends and family. His greatest joy outside of medicine is spending quality time with his wife and kids. He has been practicing medicine in WNC since 2016. Dr. Ware chose the family medicine specialty because it provides the greatest ability to create personal relationships with patients and allows for the broadest diversity of medical knowledge and skills.
Dr. Ware believes strongly in empowering patients to choose their own unique path toward a healthy life and looks forward to deeper discussions that unravel even the most complicated problems. He is the founder of Old Fort Family Medicine and is focused on bringing a holistic approach to patient care involving a broad range of evidence-based treatments including traditional therapies blended with homeopathic, natural, osteopathic and alternative approaches. Dr. Ware has a strong background in pediatrics and is passionate about providing comprehensive primary care starting at birth.
Dr. Ware is currently the administrative and clinical director, overseeing the daily operations of the practice. Due to these responsibilities he has a limited patient schedule but remains available.