Pardee UNC Health Care Names Dr. Natascha Lautenschlaeger Chief of Staff

First female, non-US national to hold this position at Pardee

Pardee UNC Health Care has named Natascha Lautenschlaeger, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician and hospitalist, as chief of staff. This is the first time a female has been named to the position in the hospital’s history. In this role, Dr. Lautenschlaeger will provide leadership, guidance and a voice for the medical staff, as well as create a dynamic physician environment committed to high-quality, patient-focused care and safety. 

“I feel honored to be able to serve as the leader of a medical staff comprised of fantastic clinicians,” Dr. Lautenschlaeger said. “It’s an honor to be the first woman to hold this title, and also the first non-U.S. national and here we come!” she says with a laugh. “My vision is to lead by example and continue to grow opportunities for women, minorities, and all of our diverse and extremely talented and capable workforce. I look forward to working with my colleagues as we help patients and their families, our community, and our hospital during one of the most challenging times of all of our lives.”

“Dr. Lautenschlaeger is an exceptional hospitalist and highly-regarded leader within our medical staff,” says Dr. David Ellis, chief medical officer, Pardee UNC Health Care. “Her experience and expertise make her an asset to the Henderson County community and Pardee. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Lautenschlaeger to this role.”

Dr. Lautenschlaeger is a board-certified family medicine physician and hospitalist and has been a member of the hospital’s staff since 2010. She earned her medical degree from the University of South Carolina and completed her internship and residency at Mayo Clinic, followed by a fellowship in family medicine at the University of Utah Medical Center. Prior to this role, Dr. Lautenschlaeger was assistant program director for the Hendersonville Family Medicine Residency and is still active in teaching. She also continues as Pardee’s chief medical informatics officer, being the first in this medical technology role, in which she is responsible for all things related to medicine and informatics. She led the Pardee team that implemented a system-wide new electronic medical record, Epic, in 2016.

Pardee UNC Health Care is a not-for-profit community hospital founded in 1953 and is managed by UNC Health Care. The hospital is licensed for 222 acute care beds. Pardee has several locations separate from the main campus, including a comprehensive physician practice network, a cancer center, four urgent care locations and six orthopedic clinics. For more information or to find a physician, visit www.pardeehospital.org.