Special To The Daily Journal

Clare Reinhardt, M.D., entered college aware that an interest in science and an appreciation for personal relationships would probably put her on the pre-med track.

As a career in medicine became more of a reality, she thought about specializing in pediatrics. A family practice rotation during medical school convinced her otherwise, however.

“I like the continuity of family care, knowing the family and having that continuity of care,” she says.

Dr. Reinhardt is now a board certified family physician. On May 18, she joined the staff of FirstHealth Richmond Family Medicine, taking a place on the family practice team created by the recent departure of Cecile Robes, D.O.

The administration of FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital praises the qualities she brings to the clinic’s staff.

“With her background in family care, Dr. Reinhardt brings considerable experience to the Richmond Family Medicine practice,” says John Jackson, president of Richmond Memorial Hospital. “She will be a first-class addition to our family service, and we welcome her to the Richmond medical community.”

“In addition to being very well-trained, Dr. Reinhardt takes the time to get to know her patients,” says Allison Duckworth, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at Richmond Memorial. “Most importantly, she is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate patient care.”

According to Dr. Reinhardt, a school service project and work on a hospital outreach van first allowed her to see how medicine could provide the right combination for her particular interests.

“All of a sudden, I saw science and interpersonal relationships all rolled up into one,” she says. “It seemed suited to me.”

As an undergraduate, Dr. Reinhardt attended Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., graduating magna cum laude with a B.S. in biology. She earned her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, and then completed a family medicine residency in the Department of Family Medicine at Christiana Care Health System in Wilmington, Del.

She is board certified by the American Academy of Family Medicine, and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians.

Although born into a “family of non-medical people,” she is now an active partner in a decidedly medical couple. Her husband, Matthew Reinhardt, M.D., is a physician with Sandhills Emergency Physicians, the specialty practice that provides emergency department coverage at the FirstHealth of the Carolinas hospitals in Rockingham, Troy and Pinehurst. The couple have four children, ages 9, 8, 6, and 4.

Previously associated with a family practice in Pinehurst, Dr. Reinhardt has been a volunteer physician with the Moore Free Care Clinic for the past year. Away from medicine, she is actively involved in volunteer work related to her children’s activities. She is a volunteer and advisory board member at their school, where she also assists with special school science projects and where she and a friend recently coordinated a Pennies Program for leukemia and lymphoma research.

She is also a leader for her daughter’s Brownie Troop 118, and a distance runner who finished the Philadelphia Marathon in November 2008 and is now training for the next event in January 2010.

“I am excited that Dr. Reinhardt is joining our medical staff,” says Steven Collins, P.A.-C, of the Richmond Family Medicine staff. “She is an established local physician, and her experience and knowledge will be an asset to the practice and will benefit the people of Richmond County.”

To make an appointment with Dr. Reinhardt or any of the other providers at Richmond Family Medicine, call (910) 417-3850.