Clinical Team

Dr. Pittman

Venica Harris

Jennifer Tucker

Elena Schertz

Colleen Doorhy

 John C. Pittman, MD 

Medical Director

John C. Pittman, a fourth generation physician, has long been dedicated to the research-based integration of alternative, complementary and conventional treatments for achieving optimal health and maximizing the natural healing capabilities of the body.  He received his B.S. in biology in 1980 and completed studies for a master’s degree in biochemistry and microbiology at the University of Georgia in 1982.  He received his medical degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia in 1986 and attended the Pediatric Residency Program at NC Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with an emphasis in Preventive Medicine.  Later, while serving as Emergency Department Director at hospitals in Rocky Mount and Southport, NC, he began exploring ways to combine conventional medicine with nutrition, botanicals, and other natural therapies as an integral part of clinical medical practice.

Since founding the Carolina Center in 1994, Dr. Pittman has further enhanced his understanding of integrative medicine through clinical training at the Autism Research Institute and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society’s Physician Training Program.  A long-time student of biological detoxification strategies, he is certified by the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology.  He has lectured frequently at the UNC School of Medicine’s Program on Integrative Medicine and presently serves as a member of the state's Vector Disease Task Force and was the former President of the North Carolina Integrative Medicine Society.  From the beginning, Dr. Pittman’s vision for the Center was to bring together multiple healing modalities in order to help patients overcome chronic degenerative illnesses and bolster their health and wellness.  

Venica  Harris, CMA 

Intake Coordinator

Venica joined the U.S. Armed Forces in 2003 after graduating from San Bernardino High School in Los Angeles.  While serving in the military, she maintained medical supplies initially in Germany and later in Iraq.  In 2005, she left the army and went on to complete her Associates Degree as a Medical Assistant at Miller-Motte College in Cary, NC.  She is currently working towards completing her education at North Carolina Central University to become a nurse practitioner.  Since joining the Carolina Center in 2010, Venica has worked as the Clinical Care Coordinator and subsequently as Intake Coordinator, assisting Dr. Pittman in the initial information intake for office visits.

Jennifer Tucker, CMA

Clinical Care Coordinator

Colon Hydrotherapy Technician

Jennifer joined our team as Clinical Care Coordinator in January of 2011. She graduated in 2002 from Parishville Hopkinton Central High School in New York. She went on to complete her Associate Degree in Mortuary Science from Suny Canton College. After working for three years in that field, she decided that her true passion was in the medical field. She and her family decided to move to North Carolina in 2005 where she attended and graduated from Miller-Motte College in 2010 with an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting. Jennifer has also taken on the Colon Therapy Department and has been trained by Shari Mewborn, RN, who is one of the only I-ACT certified Colon Hydrotherapists in North Carolina.

Elena Schertz, RN

IV Nurse

Elena joined our team as an IV nurse in a part time capacity in February 2010.  She is from Michigan, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing from Michigan State University in 1987.  She moved to NC in 1988 and worked in an adult cardiac unit for a year before beginning work in pediatric oncology.  She has served as a pediatric oncology nurse at UNC Hospitals for the past 22 years.  She became interested in holistic, integrative health in the late 1990s and is passionate about healing the body physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.  She deeply believes that being truly present with each of her patients is where healing can begin to happen. In 2003, Elena completed a four-year training in the use of bio-energetic healing approaches at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing.  She loves to run, do yoga, and listen to music. She lives in Chapel Hill. 

Colleen Doorhy, BS, LE

Nutrition and Lifestyle Educator

Colleen joined our team in September of 2010 working closely with Jeff at Total Health Nutrition Center as the Supplement Assistant & Buyer.  She assisted with research of new products and cost/formula comparisons. In October of 2011, she joined the Carolina Center. She has been certified in First Line Therapy (FLT) which is a program aimed at improving health biomarkers & body composition. After graduating from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in May of 2010 with a BS in Biology (minors in Nutrition & Spanish), she returned to NCSU to pursue her Master's of Science in Nutrition. Colleen's goal is to become a licensed Registered Dietician.  In her free time, she enjoys growing her own vegetables and herbs and walking her beagle, Ava.  She also practices yoga and meditation.

Administrative Team

Christopher Getz

Sharon Reynolds

Christopher Getz

Practice Administrator

Chris has served as our Practice Administrator since December of 2009. He assists Dr. Pittman in the management and operation of the Carolina Center in both the administrative and clinical domains. He comes to us with an extensive management, and financial background along with working and teaching experience in the medical, mental health, law enforcement, and forensic science fields. He has had several articles published on research and development in Radiation Biology, Disease Management, Fingerprinting, Martial Arts theories, Quantum Theory and Change as it relates to Einstein’s theory of relativity, nDNA vs. mtDNA and Criminal Behaviors. He is also in the process of writing a book called "Inside the Mind of a Killer". Chris is both an integrative and forward thinker, which makes him ideal for our practice. Chris received his Master’s degree in Social Work in 2001 and a Post Graduate degree in Forensic Science in 2007. He is currently working on a Master’s of Science degree from Ashworh College. Chris and his wife live in Cary with their son. He enjoys writing, martial arts, and the forensic and criminal justice fields.

Sharon J. Reynolds, BS, CMB

Front Office Supervisor

Billing & Insurance Coordinator

Sharon joined the staff of the Carolina Center in May 2008.  As a staff member, she performs the tasks of Accounts Receivables Clerk, Medical Biller, Thermography Technician, and serves as our Front Office Supervisor.  She has over 20 years of experience in Accounts Receivables and is a certified Medical Biller.  She also has two years experience as a thermography technician.  Sharon received a Bachelors degree in Psychology from East Carolina University, Greenville, NC (minoring in Composite Science).  In addition, she completed Harvard University’s Health Careers Program and the Medical Billers Program at Allied Schools, Laguna Hills, CA. She enjoys singing (First Soprano with the Saint Francis UMC Chancel Choir), music (Chopin to ZZ Top), cooking, dancing and family time. Sharon also serves as the primary Thermascan Technician for Carolina Thermascan where she oversees the entire thermascan process from performing the scans, documenting the process, insuring that they get to the physician to read the scans, and notifying the patients of the results in a timely manner.

Front Office Team

Younger Mattox

Marketta Johnson



Younger Mattox, BA

New Patient Coordinator

Younger serves as our New Patient Coordinator, a position that he enjoys because of speaking about the practice is one of his passions.  His primary duties include scheduling of new patient appointments and processing of new patient information.  A native of North Carolina with a degree in Business Administration, it seems that Younger has always been in the medical field.  Along with owning a pediatric coloring book company for 14 years, he has been cultivating a personal passion for educating people about effective health care since 1984.  An Eagle Scout, he tries to do one good turn daily or more.  Younger enjoys swimming and spending time in the mountains of North Carolina.

Marketta  Johnson 

Medical Adminstrative Assistant

Marketta Johnson serves as medical administrative assistant at the Center.  After graduating from River Rouge High School, she went to pursue her college degree at Alabama A&M Univeristy where she studied Marketing.  Realizing that helping people with medical conditions was her true passion, she went on to receive her Medical Assisting and Medical Billing Degree at Dorsey Schools in MI.  A native of Detroit, MI, she volunteered at People’s Community Health Center in Michigan, where she assisted doctors and helped with billing.  In 2007, she moved to North Carolina in search of employment opportunities before joining the Carolina Center in 2010.  When she’s not busy taking care of her twin daughters, Makaila and Makenzie, Marketta likes to spend her spare time reading, shopping, and sleeping.

Marketing Team

Angelica Getz

Suzanne Rios

Angelica Getz, AAS

Marketing Director & Graphic Designer

Presentation Coordinator

Angelica has been working with the Carolina Center as an Independent Contractor designing and maintaining our website, flyers, brochures and other graphic design projects. She came on board as a Carolina Center employee in December 2011. She received her AAS in Graphic Design and Marketing from South Seattle Community College in 1994. She worked for a major graphic design firm in Redmond, WA. for more than ten years before moving to North Carolina. She has completed numerous design projects for several companies over the past 17 years. She is responsible for managing our website, advertising, internet and outside marketing. Angelica and her husband live in Cary with their son. 

Suzanne Rios, BS

Sales and Events Coordinator

Suzanne joined Carolina Center in 2009. She serves as our Sales and Events Coordinator. She has a BS degree in Biology from Virginia Tech with a minor in Chemistry. She joined Wake Medical Center right out of college as a Histology technician and later moved to Western Wake when it opened in 1991. She has over 12 years of sales experience in medical sales and pharmaceutical sales. She and her husband live in Cary and have 3 daughters a dog and a cat. She enjoys traveling and gardening.

Our Employees through Total Health Nutrition Center

Jeff Hickman

Diane Corbin

Jeff Hickman, BA

Product Manager & Buyer

Jeff is our Product Manager & Buyer for Total Health Nutrition Center.  He graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of New Mexico.  He researches all of the supplements we sell to make sure you are getting the best quality supplement for your money.  His over fourteen years of investigation has built an extensive supplement database that he can use to assist clients in finding the best supplements for their needs.  In addition, Jeff was one of the first participants in Total Health’s HCG diet program.  He lost 33 pounds and has been able to maintain it for over a year.  As our resident HCG guru, he can answer any questions you may have about the diet.

Jeff and his wife live in Cary and he enjoys building “yard art” and furniture, along with assisting in their extensive gardens.  He has been an employee of REI for nearly 25 years and still works part time at REI in Cary.  Come see Jeff at Total Health Nutrition Center for all your supplement needs.

Diane Corbin, BS

MSA Technician

Diane is a native of Dunn, NC and grew up in a family that studied and implemented nutrition and supplementation for wellness.  Athletics have always been an important part of life for her, with basketball, tennis, and dance being the favorites.  She is a choir member and active in the United Methodist Church.

After receiving a B.S. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she worked as a laboratory research assistant in Charleston, SC and Augusta, GA at the respective medical universities.  Since then, she has worked in education and other pursuits until coming on board with Carolina Center for the last 3½ years. She has two married daughters and 1½ grandchildren living here in Raleigh.  Best thing she ever did!