Head shot of Dr. Michael Kepley, an OB-GYN for Ashe Women & Children's Health

OB-GYN finds meaningful reward in taking care of extended families

Delivering his first baby in 1978 was a heartwarming and joyful experience for Dr. Michael Kepley. As he watched young families that were just getting started, Dr. Kepley, then a fourth-year medical student, chose to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology.

Dr. Kepley has delivered hundreds of babies since that day, and now, he'll help bring new life into Ashe County. On February 6, Dr. Kepley joined the team at Ashe Women & Children's Health, bringing more than 35 years of experience in obstetrics and gynecological surgery and services. Dr. Kepley will be at Ashe Women & Children's Health on Mondays and Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"Dr. Tara Burgher and her group offer a tremendous level of care," Dr. Kepley says. "The Lord opened this door and how this opportunity came to be. Sandy and I are looking forward to being a part of the community. Ashe County is a beautiful area with a friendly atmosphere."

A native of Granite Quarry, North Carolina, Dr. Kepley earned his Bachelor's degree and his Doctor or Medicine from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After earning his Doctor of Medicine in 1984, Dr. Kepley went on to complete an Obstetrics-Gynecology Residency at the University of Tennessee Memorial Hospital & Research Center in Knoxville, which was very focused on gynecologic oncology.

"It was a wonderful place to learn more about advanced surgery, and I'm particularly grateful for that," Dr. Kepley says.

After residency and looking to return close to home, Dr. Kepley moved to Iredell County where he joined Associated Gynecologist/Obstetricians before opening his own practice in 1989, which he had for 28 years. Most recently, Dr. Kepley spent the past four years working with Statesville OB-GYN before joining Ashe Women & Children's Health.

For Dr. Kepley, obstetrics and gynecology offers the perfect blend of family medicine and surgery. While there are times when it may be difficult to wake up at 2 or 3 a.m. to deliver a baby, the reward of bringing new life into the world is more than Dr. Kepley could ask for.

"When you deliver a baby and you hear their lungs expand and hear and feel them take that first breath, you never get tired of that," Dr. Kepley said. "That's always been so special. It's truly a God thing. It's really a miraculous thing."

In his role, Dr. Kepley will bring additional gynecological services to the Ashe County community, focusing primarily on minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic surgery, hysterectomy, fibroids and endometriosis, among other services. Dr. Kepley also will be available to provide obstetric related services as well.

"There's a lot of satisfaction that comes from being able to provide good care, guidance and expertise to achieve a good outcome," Dr. Kepley said. "I enjoy getting to know my patients and their children and being involved with them and the community. It's very rewarding."