MEET OUR PHYSICIANS
Our offices consistently rank among the top orthopedic programs in the nation. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to provide lower-risk surgeries and faster recovery times. We also provide comprehensive pre-habilitation and rehabilitation programs.
Keith Maxwell, M.D.
Spine
Keith Maxwell, M.D.
Dr. Maxwell is a practicing physician at Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Asheville, N.C. He specializes in Orthopedic Spine Disorders, Spine Surgery, General Orthopedics, General Orthopedic Surgery, and Sports Medicine, and his practice provides comprehensive sports medicine and orthopedic care for local athletes. Dr. Maxwell is board certified in Orthopedic Surgery and Spine Surgery, and received his undergraduate degree from University of North Carolina in Asheville, NC. and his Medical Degree from Oral Roberts School of Medicine in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He completed his orthopedic residency at Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and his Spine Fellowship was performed at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Dr. Maxwell is the first surgeon in North Carolina to be certified by the American Board of Spine Surgery.
Richard B. Jones, M.D.
Orthopedics, Sports Medicine
Richard B. Jones, M.D.
Dr. Jones has an undergraduate degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College, where he was a four-year letterman in football. Dr. Jones received his medical degree from East Carolina University and completed his orthopedic surgery training at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis, Tenn., which is the oldest orthopedic training program in the country. Dr. Jones completed a one-year sports medicine fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, where he participated in research involving posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee. Dr. Jones is one of the region’s leading experts on shoulder replacement and reconstruction. He pioneered the reverse shoulder replacement in this area by being the first to bring this procedure to Western North Carolina in 2004. Dr. Jones has since taught on a national and international level about shoulder replacement in places including Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, and Naples, Italy. He has served as a member of Exactech’s (Gainesville, Fla.) shoulder design team since 2006, where he assists in the development of important shoulder replacement techniques. Through this work, he has received two U.S. patents for reverse shoulder implants. Dr. Jones specializes in arthroscopic and reconstructive knee surgery and shoulder surgery, general orthopedics, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacement and reverse shoulder replacement. He is a member of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), a society of leading national and international orthopedic surgeons who specialize in surgery of the shoulder and elbow.
Andrew Rudins, M.D.
Physiatry
Andrew Rudins, M.D.
Dr. Rudins received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia, after completing his undergraduate studies at Duke University. Dr. Rudins performed his physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) residency at the renowned Mayo Clinic, after which he received further training in sports medicine at the University of Hawaii and in medical acupuncture at UCLA. Dr. Rudins is board-certified by both the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine. He has published and given numerous lectures on biomechanics, back pain, foot problems and sports injuries. Dr. Rudins has provided medical care for athletes ranging from professional, such as at the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon, to local and amateur, including serving as a team physician for the University of Hawaii. He is a marathon runner and speaks fluent Russian.
Samuel Abrams, M.D.
Hand, wrist and elbow
Samuel Abrams, M.D.
Samuel Abrams, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in conditions of the hand and upper extremity. He focuses on providing good perioperative pain control while limiting the amount of narcotic pain medication, using evidence based opioid sparing pain control protocols. Non-operative treatment options are preferred, but if surgery is needed, Dr. Abrams ensures his patients are fully informed about the surgical procedure and recovery process. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, hiking, mountain biking, paddle boarding and snowboarding.
Charles DePaolo, M.D.
Orthopedics and Total Joint
Charles DePaolo, M.D.
Charles DePaolo, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician who specializes in joint reconstructive surgery, direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, cartilage preservation procedures, osteochondral transfer procedures and the use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and stem cells. His goal is to relieve pain and return function to his patients’ everyday life. In his free time, Dr. DePaolo enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and listening to music.
Hubert Lee Gooch, M.D.
Spine
Hubert Lee Gooch, M.D.
Hubert Lee Gooch, M.D. is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic and spine surgeon. His patient care philosophy is centered around the belief that the foundation of exceptional care lies in thorough patient education. He is dedicated to equipping patients with a comprehensive understanding of their condition, diagnosis, treatment alternatives, and long-term management strategies. Dr. Gooch’s guiding principle is that “A more educated informed patient gets a better result”. When not treating patients, he enjoys spending time with his family, travel, Jeep activities, hiking and photography.
Gregory S. Lavigne, M.D.
Orthopedics and Total Joint
Gregory S. Lavigne, M.D.
Matthew Massey, M.D.
Foot and ankle, Sports Medicine
Matthew Massey, M.D.
Matthew Massey, MD, is a board-certified fellowship trained an orthopedic surgeon. He has cared for athletes of all levels, including professionals in the NFL, NBA, and MLB, and also has many years of experience helping people who suffer from a variety of foot and ankle conditions, such as arthritis, fractures, sprains, and Achilles tendon disorders. He believes in developing a partnership with his patients, ensuring they fully understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and what to expect during recovery. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, photography, cooking, and spending time with his family.
John G. Mawn, M.D.
Orthopedics and Total Joint
John G. Mawn, M.D.
Dr. Mawn is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstruction surgery. He bases his clinical decision-making around the question “what would I want for my family members?” His goal is to understand his patients’ values and goals and design a care plan to achieve them as quickly as possible and with minimal disruption to their lives. In his free time, he enjoys hiking the mountains with his dog, skiing, mountain biking, fly fishing, and spending time with his family.
Marshall Ney, M.D.
Spine, Physiatry
Marshall Ney, M.D.
Dr. Marshall Ney, M.D. is a board-certified and fellowship-trained physical medicine and rehabilitation physician specializing in nonoperative spinal care, treatment of musculoskeletal issues, and electrodiagnostics. His philosophy is holistic care for musculoskeletal and spine problems, focusing on pain reduction and enhancing mobility, while considering the patient’s overall well-being and individual needs. When not treating patients, Dr. Ney enjoys all the outdoor adventures that Western NC has to offer and being bossed around by his wife, son and daughter.
Erik Olsson, M.D.
Spine
Erik Olsson, M.D.
Erik Olsson, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. He provides comprehensive care for a wide range of spinal conditions and has special interests in complex cervical reconstruction, motion-preserving, non-fusion procedures such as cervical disc replacement, and minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery.
Dr. Olsson earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he also completed his orthopedic surgery residency. He went on to complete a fellowship in spine surgery at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, where he received advanced training in the surgical management of complex spinal disorders.
Committed to delivering personalized, evidence-based care, Dr. Olsson works closely with each patient to develop treatment plans that align with their goals and lifestyle, utilizing both nonoperative and advanced surgical techniques when appropriate.
Outside of his practice, Dr. Olsson enjoys road biking, running, skiing, and spending time with his wife and two sons.
Benjamin Welborn, M.D.
Orthopedics, Sports Medicine
Benjamin Welborn, M.D.
Dr. Ben Welborn is a board-certified and fellowship-trained sports medicine physician and orthopedic surgeon specializing in ACL and ligament reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, arthroscopic surgery, and total joint replacement. He is dedicated to helping patients maintain an active lifestyle and achieve their goals.
Dr. Welborn earned his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Tennessee Health Center, and pursued a sports medicine fellowship at New England Baptist Hospital. He emphasizes personalized care, building strong patient relationships, and creating individualized treatment plans.
In his free time, Dr. Welborn enjoys outdoor activities, sports, and spending time with his wife and two sons. To schedule an appointment, call (828) 274-SEOS(7367)
Matthew Wham, M.D.
Orthopedics, Sports Medicine
Matthew Wham, M.D.
Dr. Matthew Wham is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician specializing in joint replacements, meniscus and knee ligament injuries, rotator cuff repair, and shoulder dislocations and replacements. I work with each patient to accomplish their desired goals, whether it is returning to athletics or playing with grandchildren in the backyard. I treat my patients the same way I would treat a family member or a friend. That means spending as much time as it takes to make sure that the patient’s needs are all met and the patient’s questions are all answered. When not treating patients, I enjoy backpacking, fly fishing, golf and disc golf, flying airplanes, and spending time with my wife and dog.
Steven Punzell, M.D.
Physiatry, Pain Management
Steven Punzell, M.D.
Dr. Punzell is a board-certified Interventional Pain Physician, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic and acute pain using targeted, minimally invasive procedures including guided procedures of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and peripheral joints, and spinal cord stimulator trials.
“Physiatry and Interventional Pain Management are both focused on restoring function and improving quality of life, not simply masking pain,” Dr. Punzell said. “My approach emphasizes identifying the underlying cause of symptoms and creating individualized treatment plans that help patients move better, stay active, and return to the activities that matter most to them.”
Dr. Punzell earned his medical degree from Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then completed a fellowship in pain medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Reed Butler, M.D.
Spine
Reed Butler, M.D.
Dr. Butler is a board-eligible orthopedic surgeon specializing in the care of patients with degenerative spine conditions.
Dr. Butler earned his medical degree from University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine in Memphis, and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at University of Alabama at Birmingham Medicine. He recently completed an orthopedic spine fellowship at Medical University of South Carolina.
“Spine care should be nuanced and practical,” said Dr. Butler. “I like to get to know my patients as people. What does their daily life look like? What activities do they enjoy? How does their condition impact this, and what does it prevent them from doing? And finally, how can we get you better?”
Dr. Butler is accepting new patients, working primarily in Southeastern’s offices in Asheville and Hendersonville.
William Leatherwood, M.D.
Orthopedics, Sports Medicine
William Leatherwood, M.D.
Dr. Leatherwood is a board-eligible orthopedic surgeon specializing in orthopedic sports medicine and general orthopedics. Born and raised in Canton, Dr. Leatherwood is proud to be returning home to care for the people of Western North Carolina.
“Whether I’m treating a competitive athlete, someone eager to get back to their job, or a patient who just wants to enjoy their hobbies and time with their family, the ultimate goal is the same: heal the injury and return them to the life they love,” said Dr. Leatherwood.
He earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Stony Brook Medicine University Hospital in New York. He recently completed an orthopedic surgery sports medicine fellowship at Hughston Clinic in Columbus, GA.
Dr. Leatherwood is accepting new patients, working primarily in Southeastern’s office in Clyde.
Forrest Rackard, M.D.
Orthopedics and Total Joint
Forrest A. Rackard, M.D.
Dr. Rackard is a board eligible, and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement.
Dr. Rackard earned his medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at UMass Chan Medical School. He recently completed the James A. Dickson Fellowship in adult reconstructive surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.
“My philosophy on total joint replacement is simple: To provide my patients with the highest level of care from the office to the operating room. My commitment is to listen carefully, explain treatment options clearly, and care for you as I would someone close to me,” said Dr. Rackard.
Dr. Rackard is accepting new patients, working primarily
Thomas B. Evely, M.D.
Orthopedics, Sports Medicine
Thomas B. Evely, M.D.
Dr. Evely is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder surgery and sports medicine, while also providing comprehensive care for a broad range of orthopedic conditions.
Dr. Evely has a particular interest in shoulder conditions, treating patients ranging from young athletes with shoulder instability to active adults with rotator cuff injuries and patients experiencing arthritis. His patient-centered approach begins with listening to each patient’s concerns and understanding their individual goals—whether that means returning to a sport, getting back to work, playing with their children, or simply living without pain.
“I want to understand what matters most to each patient before we decide on a treatment plan,” said Dr. Evely. “My goal is to give patients the information and guidance they need to make the best decision for their life and their goals.”
Originally from Erwin, Tennessee, Dr. Evely has long considered Western North Carolina home. He and his wife, Shelby, and their young daughter are excited to return to the mountains and become part of the community. Outside of medicine, he enjoys hiking, traveling and golf.
Dr. Evely is accepting new patients and looks forward to helping patients throughout Western North Carolina stay active and get back to the things they love.
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Southeastern Orthopedics and Spine is committed to providing the best orthopedic care in Western North Carolina.
