Asheville is a regional medical center, offering the highest quality of patient care. The most profound change in the way healthcare is delivered came when Memorial Mission and St. Joseph's hospitals joined forces to form the Mission St. Joseph's Health System (http://www.msj.org). This partnership is the first of its kind in North Carolina and one of the first in the nation.

There are more than 430 physicians and 100 dentists in the Asheville area - more than in any other city of like population.

Finding one is as easy as calling the Buncombe County Medical Society (274-2267) or the Ask-A-Nurse program (255-3000) at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Continuing education for doctors, nurses and other professionals in the health care field is provided through the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC). Asheville enjoys not only excellent health care, but also an ever-growing market for health professionals and related administrative personnel.