About Me

As a child, my pediatrician always made me feel as if I were his most important patient. I decided at a young age that I wanted to be a doctor so that I could help my patients feel the same way.

In medical school, I was inspired by the mission of Family Medicine to care for the needs of the whole patient, both physical and emotional. After practicing traditional Family Medicine at Duke Primary Care, I then transitioned to College Health at the University of North Carolina. I was especially drawn to the care of teens and young adults and their unique medical and emotional needs.

Through my experience, I observed that many patients sought care for physical symptoms that were related to their mental health struggles. When I determined that their physical symptoms could be improved by managing their mental health, patients were hopeful that they could feel better. By comprehensively managing their mental health, they could improve their overall physical health and well-being. This mind-body approach inspired the guiding principles of this practice.

Throughout my 20 years as a Family Physician, I have seen how our current medical system limits the time that patients and their doctors have together. I started this practice because you deserve the time and attention needed to fully treat both your mind and body.

Whether caring for teenagers, college students, or adults, my mission is to provide you with welcoming, personalized care. Together, we will determine how to best manage your unique health issues and improve your overall well-being.

Navigating the best path to better health can be difficult. The good news is that there are many paths to feeling better and I am here to guide you along the way.

Sincerely,

Denise Dechow, MD

Education and Training

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, St. Margaret
Residency in Family Medicine 1996-1999

Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia
Doctor of Medicine 1992-1996

University of Virginia
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology 1988-1992

American Board of Family Medicine
Board Certification 1999-current

Yoga and Mindfulness Training
CYT-200 Certified Yoga Teacher
Training provided by Balance Through Movement (Now Lead With Compassion Yoga Teacher Training, hosted by The UNC Program on Integrative Medicine) Chapel Hill, NC
Certification April 2020