Ryan Pettit, DNP, RN joins Harris Medical Associates after decade of nursing at Harris Regional

Harris Regional Hospital is pleased to welcome Ryan Pettit, DNP, RN to its medical staff and the team at Harris Medical Associates. Pettit is now seeing patients at the practice, located at 98 Doctors Drive, Suite 200 in Sylva.

Pettit brings more than a decade of nursing experience at Harris Regional Hospital to his new role in primary care. He began working at Harris Regional in 2015 in telemetry and medical-surgical nursing before transitioning to intensive care, where he has cared for patients with a broad range of acute and complex medical needs. His experience also includes serving as a charge nurse in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Pettit’s interest in health care began early, influenced in part by his mother’s career as a nurse. He began his own career in nursing and said his years caring for patients in the community ultimately reinforced his interest in primary care and the opportunity to support patients across different stages of life.

“Primary care has an important role to play throughout everyone’s lifespan,” Pettit said. “It provides the opportunity to build relationships over time and support patient well-being.”

Pettit earned his Bachelor of Science in biology from Western Carolina University, an associate degree in nursing from Southwestern Community College and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He returned to Western Carolina University for his Doctor of Nursing Practice education in the family nurse practitioner program. His clinical training included family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, geriatrics, and surgical care.

“Ryan has already spent many years caring for patients and families at Harris Regional and we are excited to see him continue that commitment in a new capacity,” said Ashley Hindman, CEO of Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital. “His clinical experience, knowledge of our community, and dedication to building meaningful relationships with patients will be valuable additions to our primary care team.”

Originally from Statesville, Pettit first came to western North Carolina as an undergraduate student at Western Carolina University. He returned to the area in 2012 and has called Sylva home ever since.

Pettit and his wife have built their lives in the community and value raising their children in WNC, where they enjoy the mountains and opportunities to spend time outdoors.

Outside of work, Pettit enjoys spending time with his family, running, hiking, working on watches, and restoring vintage cars.

Pettit is currently seeing patients at Harris Medical Associates, located at 98 Doctors Drive, Suite 200 in Sylva.