Certified Physician Assistant Jennifer Pelletier Joining FirstHealth Functional Medicine

WHISPERING PINES, N.C. - FirstHealth of the Carolinas is pleased to welcome Jennifer Pelletier, PA-C, R.D., to its Functional Medicine care team.

Pelletier, who has served patients at FirstHealth Convenient Care since 2024, is joining Scott Jamison, M.D. Pelletier said she works to build partnerships with patients to understand the full picture of their health.

"I see health as a spectrum - from serious illness to peak vitality - and most people are somewhere in the middle, looking for their own version of an optimal life. I approach care with curiosity and compassion, looking at how nutrition, sleep, stress, movement and environment affect well-being," she said.

"I am passionate about uncovering the root causes of their concerns. Using a functional medicine approach, I help patients move beyond simply feeling better toward sustainably improving their health and energy. My goal is to empower patients with the knowledge and tools they need to take an active role in achieving long-term wellness."

Education and Training

Pelletier earned a Master of Health Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2020. She earned a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Saint Louis University in 2014.

"Functional medicine is truly what drew me to become a physician assistant. After 13 years as a performance-focused dietitian, I saw firsthand how powerful nutrition, lifestyle changes and addressing root causes can be in improving both health and performance," she said. "Even while practicing in internal medicine and acute care, I have consistently gravitated toward prevention, metabolic health, hormone balance and lifestyle-driven outcomes. Functional medicine brings all those elements together."

Pelletier said her decision to pursue medicine was a calling that developed throughout her life.

"Even as a child, I remember playing with dolls and pretending to diagnose and care for them. Growing up playing soccer also shaped my perspective, as I saw firsthand how nutrition, training, recovery and lifestyle choices could dramatically impact both health and performance," she said.

"Later, while working alongside physician assistants and physicians who were willing to think creatively and look beyond standard approaches to help soldiers improve their health, I felt deeply inspired by the kind of impact medicine could have. I also had personal experiences as a patient where compassionate providers truly listened, valued my perspective and empowered me to feel more in control of my own health."

Life Outside of Work

Outside of work, Pelletier said she enjoys connecting with family, friends and her community. She spends quality time with her husband and two young children.

"You can often find us hiking, biking, running or exploring. I also enjoy cooking and trying new recipes," she said. "As a family, we love traveling and experiencing new places, foods and traditions. I enjoy staying active and often compete in trail races, which is both a fun challenge and a great way to recharge. In quieter moments, I enjoy reading and working on puzzles."

Functional Medicine at FirstHealth

Functional Medicine is a holistic approach for diagnosing the root cause of chronic illness by addressing the whole person, not a set of isolated symptoms.

Ready to learn more about joining FirstHealth Functional Medicine? Call (910) 684-5499 today.