Management Team

• Douglas I. Hammer, MD will be the principal investigator and director of the clinical research program.  Dr. Hammer's education includes an M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine, a Master of Public Health Degree with an emphasis on Epidemiology as well as a Doctorate Degree in Epidemiology, both from Harvard University.  He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, General Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Emergency Medicine.  Dr. Hammer is a published author with a credit of approximately 50 articles across his extensive career.  His career in medicine includes the United States Public Health Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, Director of Rex Hospital Emergency Room and Employee Health Departments, and physician owner of a Family Practice.

• Pamela L. Mathis is a Registered Nurse and the Clinical Manager of Blue Ridge Family Physicians.  Her 20 year nursing career includes positions with the Spinal Cord Injury Intensive Care at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Leigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  She is currently taking classes at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill for Clinical Research Associate and Clinical Research Coordinator Training.  Her clinical research knowledge will be used to implement a program at Blue Ridge Family Physicians.

  Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

The physician owners of Blue Ridge Family Physicians made the conscious decision to maximize it use of information technology in the daily operations of the practice. The practice is actively converting its medical data from paper to an Electronic Medical Records System. The system is not only comprehensive in its effort to document encounters. It has the ability to track patient disease states and the care that corresponds with the conditions, for example, diabetics needing follow-up blood work every six months. The physician can track a patient's compliance with his/her orders on a real time basis. Quality of Care will continue to improve with the assistance of this tool because the provider is more proactive in managing patient conditions. This EMR system can also produce reports on health statistics, which will aide the practice in utilization review efforts and overall community health management. Clinical data can be compiled easily and interpreted expeditiously.

  Laboratory Services

Lab Corp. is providing an exclusive draw station for Blue Ridge Family Physicians. The practice is CLIA certified to perform waived tests. The goal is to reach Moderate Complexity certification. Given the test volume of Blue Ridge, and the convenience of the location for patients, the physician-owners are assessing the feasibility of establishing and owning a lab.

Mission and Vision

Blue Ridge Family Physicians provides advanced, comprehensive, and innovative medical services in a caring environment. The practice believes in providing positive, effective, and efficient health care. By expanding its mission to include clinical research, Blue Ridge Family Physicians will continue to uphold its commitment to its patients and contribute to medical and education advancements.

       For example, IV therapy, laceration repairs,
       biopsies.