Staff Writer

When Dr. Alisahah Cole was 4 years old, she told her mother she wanted to be a doctor.

“And I remember that I had a Fisher Price doctor kit that I carried everywhere with me,” she said with a smile.

She reached her dream in a successful way, including being named “Intern of the Year” at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte and serving as chief resident of family medicine at that hospital.

Now, she has brought her services to Union County because she and her husband, Auvis, wanted to raise their children in a smaller town.

Dr. Cole has joined the staff at Carolinas Health Associates Center for Family Healthcare. Her partners are Dr. John Flood, Dr. Tonya Washington and Dominique Pierre, who is a nurse practitioner.

She said she has enjoyed getting to meet new patients and getting acquainted with the community.

“Everyone has been really welcoming,” she said. “Everyone has been wonderful and nice and if we needed anything it has been a phone call away.”

A Dayton, Ohio, native, Dr. Cole graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where she double majored in biology and music - she loves the piano.

She earned her medical degree from Wright State University Medical School in Dayton.

“I chose family medicine because I like the variety of people,” she said. “I love seeing both children and adults.”

Dr. Cole said she chose Charlotte to begin her medical practice because she and her husband wanted to move to a warmer climate. They have two children, Destiny, 6, and Auvin, 2. With the children growing older, the Coles decided they wanted to relocate.

Auvis Cole is the new tourism director for Union County. The family has gotten involved in Corinth Baptist Church, where the Coles are working with the youth. Auvin is playing soccer at the Union County YMCA.

“I came from a small town myself, so I'm very connected to small town issues,” Dr. Cole said. “We have made a commitment to Union and are enjoying it so far.”

Dr. Cole is accepting new patients.

“If you don't have a doctor or haven't seen a doctor in a while, please call and make an appointment,” she said.

Bill Leonard, Union Hospital District CEO, said Dr. Cole is valuable asset to the medical community.

“We are very excited to have Dr. Cole join the staff of the hospital and Carolinas Health Associates Center for Family Healthcare,” he said, citing Dr. Cole's accomplishments, including that she received board certification on her first attempt.

“She and her family are a great addition to Union,” Leonard said. “We are very excited she chose to practice here.”