Osteoarthritis of Foot near Bolivia, NC

Biography: Dr. Richard Leighton, DO is an Orthopedic Surgery Specialist who practices in Supply, NC. He is 62 years old and has been practicing for 34 years. Dr. Richard Leighton, DO is affiliated with Novant Wilmington NC.

Biography: Dr. David Schmitz, DO is a Family Practitioner who practices in Bolivia, NC. He is 48 years old. Dr. David Schmitz, DO is affiliated with Novant Wilmington NC.

Biography: Dr. Domenic Palagruto II, DO is a Family Practitioner who practices in Southport, NC. He is 59 years old. Dr. Domenic Palagruto II, DO is affiliated with Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center.

Biography: I always enjoyed science class in middle and high school and was fascinated by the multitudes of complex processes that allow the human body to function. I also enjoy being of service to others - something that led me to help plan and lead a medical service trip to Ensenada, Mexico, when I was in college. That trip cemented my desire to become a physician. \n I think the importance of spending time talking with my patients and educating them on everything from their condition to my rationale for ordering certain tests or treatments cannot be overstated. \n Knowledge is power, and I want to empower my patients. Understanding the "why" is an important part of taking ownership of your own healthcare and creates trust between the patient and provider. \n I was born and raised in Southern California, which is where I met my wife, Sara, who is a North Carolina native. I have steadily made my way eastward and love calling Wilmington home. I enjoy listening to and playing music, taking my dog to the beach and spending time with my family and friends.

Biography: Dr. Joshua Sawyer, MD is an Internist who practices in Bolivia, NC. He is 49 years old and has been practicing for 17 years. Dr. Joshua Sawyer, MD is affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Biography: I've been enamored with medicine for as long as I can remember. My grandfather, for whom I was named, was a general practitioner in my hometown of Reidsville, North Carolina and took care of nearly the entire town. \n Within a few hours of my premature birth, my grandfather suspected I had pneumonia. He had me transferred to Moses Cone Hospital, where I spent three weeks in the ICU. A few weeks after I was discharged, I went into septic shock. Again, my grandfather recognized the signs. He coded me during the ambulance ride, which saved my life. \n I was always driven to succeed academically and wanted to attend a top college to improve my chances of following in my grandfather's footsteps. At Wake Forest University, I majored in chemistry and volunteered at healthcare clinics in Winston-Salem. I was thrilled to attend Wake Forest for medical school, which is where my passion for cardiology began to blossom. \n I did my internal medicine residency at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas because the program director's pitch included that the school is known for training cardiologists and sending them all over the world. I knew I wanted to live in North Carolina, so the "all over the world" part didn't attract me. The cardiology training program did. \n During my cardiology fellowship at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, I fell in love with the city and with a New Orleans girl named Alex. \n During my second year in fellowship, I interviewed for a job with a Wilmington practice with incredible doctors, advanced practitioners and administrators. Accepting the job was one of the easiest decisions of my life. (Marrying Alex was the easiest.) \n My specialties include general cardiology; advanced imaging, including transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography; stress testing and coronary CTA. I also perform cardioversions and implant loop recorders. I love my job, my patients, this community and the people with whom I have the pleasure of working. \n In my free time, I love running and spending time with Alex and our young son. A wonderful golden retriever and calico cat complete our family. We are in love with the city and enjoy days on the beach, diving into new restaurants and bars, walking the loop and exploring all the water sports the area makes possible.

Care Philosophy: MDVIP empowers physicians with advanced diagnostic tools and support that help them deliver a better healthcare experience for more than 350,000 patients nationwide. MDVIP-affiliated primary care doctors are able to practice personalized, preventive ca

Biography: Dr. Benjamin Browning, MD is a Sports Medicine Specialist who practices in Supply, NC. He is 41 years old. Dr. Benjamin Browning, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center.