Jessica Taylor, ACNP

From a young age, I have been fascinated by science and the human body. This drove me to pursue a career in surgery, where I could use my interests to enhance the well-being of others. Throughout my journey, I've found immense joy in connecting with my patients and their families, understanding their unique perspectives and supporting their health. \n My approach to healthcare is patient-centered. I believe in thorough communication, ensuring that my patients are fully informed and empowered to make decisions about their health. \n As the only surgeon in Western North Carolina with specialized training in endocrine surgery, including procedures involving the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands, I am dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care. By doing a high volume of these procedures and continuously refining my skills, I strive to minimize risks and optimize outcomes for my patients. \n Beyond the operating room, I enjoy pottery, gardening, and hiking - activities that Asheville is wonderful for. Since relocating to Asheville in 2018, I've embraced the vibrant community and its unique charm, which has helped me both personally and professionally.

I'm a board-certified, fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon with a specialty of diagnosing, treating and managing benign conditions and malignant diseases of the colon and rectum. I'm the only female colorectal surgeon in Western North Carolina. \n For some patients, colorectal issues may be personal or embarrassing. It is my goal to put patients at ease and guide them through treatment with as little discomfort as possible. \n I completed a general surgery residency along with a colon and rectal surgery fellowship at the University of South Florida. In my last year of residency, I was honored to serve as administrative chief resident. \n I stay up to date on the latest traditional and minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgical procedures. I have expertise in not just colon, rectal and anal cancers, but also in complicated diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease and anorectal pathology. \n In my free time, I enjoy being with my family, traveling and exploring Western North Carolina - my adopted home and the place I'm happy to be raising my three children. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this community by providing care in a specialty that's under-represented in our region.

I attended Duke School of Engineering on a soccer scholarship. I had the opportunity to play with some outstanding athletes. Part of my excitement about Novant Health Surgical Partners is, once again, I am blessed with an extremely talented and dedicated group of partners. \n I had no grand plan to become a doctor. I came to it by happenstance. As an undergraduate in biomedical engineering, I thought an MD/PhD would serve me best in my career. Early in my clinical years as a medical student while on a family medicine rotation in rural Virginia, I was offered the opportunity to assist the local general surgeon perform a cholecystectomy. That day I was hooked on surgery and never changed course. \n My path led me to a general surgery residency at Duke, followed by a surgical oncology fellowship at MD Anderson. I came to Asheville in 2000. Originally as chief of general surgery at the Oteen Veterans' Hospital, I later transitioned into solo private practice in Asheville. In 2004, I joined a general surgery group and eventually joined Novant Health in 2023. \n I believe that being a physician is a privilege. It is a privilege bestowed upon me by my patients. I feel this is especially true for a cancer surgeon like myself. Being entrusted with the care and well-being of my patient is a responsibility I take very seriously. Sometimes surgery is all that is needed for successful treatment. Other times surgery is part of a more comprehensive treatment plan. Occasionally surgery is not the right choice. Regardless of the treatment you receive, my goal is to provide you with the best quality of life for as long as possible. There is no one right or wrong answer to this question. It is a discussion with each patient to decide their treatment goals and decide whether surgery is the right choice for them.