Lantern Health

03/30/2026

Heads up! Colon cancer screening is now recommended starting at age 45 instead of age 50, due to a rising incidence of colon cancer in younger adults. It is now the leading cause of cancer death in people

A leading expert discusses which foods may increase your risk for colorectal cancer and ways to protect your digestive health.

03/16/2026

Have any plans this Saturday night!? We're a sponsor of The Hubbub, an inaugural benefit for WNC Food Coalition this coming Saturday night from 7:00-11:00 p.m. at Highland Brewing, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy.

Join us in supporting small farms and the food hubs who buy, sell, and stock fresh, local, charitable food across Western North Carolina!

Equal Plates is catering with local ingredients purchased from the hubs and farms that will be benefiting. Free Planet Radio and Anya Hinkle will be performing during the main event and DJ Lil Meow Meow is spicing up the after party - it should be super fun!

Click here for tickets & more info: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-hubbub

03/02/2026

Just a friendly heart health check!

Have you checked your Lp (a) levels lately? Lipoprotein (a) or Lp (a) is one type of plaque-forming lipid; unlike some other lipids that are influenced by lifestyle and genetics, this one is only influenced by genetics. High levels of lipoprotein (a) can put you at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. If your results are high, it will then invite your provider to share any important guidance toward preventative measures.

Also, have you seen our YouTube Channel yet!? We've posted a few videos featuring our providers. Soon we'll be adding some heart health content featuring Dr. Rachel Hines so you'll be able to learn more about how to support your heart health. Stay tuned!

https://youtube.com/?si=aRBwX6e8a1UAaMfF

02/12/2026

Check out our YouTube channel! It's a great spot to meet our providers, learn about health coaching, and we'll be posting more health-related educational videos in the near future. Subscribe if you want to stay connected!

We are a Direct Primary Care practice providing personalized and comprehensive primary care services for an affordable, monthly fee. We partner with individuals, families, and employers at our vibrant and convenient locations in downtown Asheville and south Asheville. Our mission is to provide prima...

02/09/2026

We're hopping back to Spruce Health!

A note for our current members: We have transitioned to Spruce for communication in place of the Fold Care app. If you used the Spruce app in the past, please go ahead and download your Spruce Health app again, and if you forgot your login information, you can proceed through the password reset steps. Please send us a test message so we know your thread has been reactivated.

If you have not used Spruce Health before, you may access Spruce via mobile app or the web by following the link sent to you via email on Friday, Jan 30th. If you did not receive the email or need further assistance, please text/call our office or email us at hello@lanterndpc.com.

Thank you for your support in this transition!

02/05/2026

Did you know...

- Measles quarantine varies from 21-28 days after exposure, depending on the circumstance.
- Vaccines are highly effective against measles (93-97%). If you're unvaccinated, you are subject to the 21-28 day quarantine after exposure; however, if you're vaccinated, you are not subject to this.
- Early dosing (3 dose series) of MMR for infants 6-11 months is recommended.

How is Lantern responding to this?

We will have isolation procedures at the clinic to limit the spread of measles in shared spaces like the lobby (primarily parking lot visits). If you have symptoms of measles (fever, rash, red/watery eyes, runny nose/congestion, cough, especially if unvaccinated or following exposure to measles), please contact us over the Spruce app or via the phone and do not enter the lobby without speaking to us first.

If you're unsure about your vaccine status, please gather any documentation you do have and reach out so we can review it, or we can check titers (blood test that measures your antibodies) for $11. You can also use the online tool by clicking below.
If you have been exposed to measles and are unvaccinated, reach out ASAP - a dose of MMR within 72 hrs of exposure can prevent it, and there are immunoglobulin treatments that can be used within 6 days to lessen severity.

We will also offer testing for measles, which would occur in the parking lot.

If you have any further questions, please contact us via the Spruce app, and our team will be here to help you navigate.

"Self-guided quiz to check measles immunity for children and adults with educational guidance. Not a substitute for medical advice."

02/01/2026

Due to the inclement weather, please note that we will be available for virtual care only Monday, February 2nd, with neither location physically open. If you have an in-person appointment already scheduled, you will receive a secure message via Spruce and/or SMS text with the option to convert to a virtual appointment or to reschedule.

Just as a reminder, an on-call physician is available to you by phone after hours/during closures. Spruce app messages are not routinely monitored after hours/during closures; however, we will respond to messages per usual during planned virtual office hours Monday.

We hope you stay warm and safe and enjoy the snow!

The Lantern Health Team

01/26/2026

Due to the inclement weather, please note that we will be available for virtual care only today (Monday, January 26th), as neither location will physically open. If you have an in-person appointment already scheduled, you will receive a secure message via Fold and/or SMS text with the option to convert to a virtual appointment or to reschedule.

In the case that we unexpectedly lose power and connectivity tonight, we will let you know and then will need to cancel our current plans for virtual care.

Just as a reminder, an on-call physician is available to you by phone after hours/during closures. Fold app messages are not routinely monitored after hours/during closures; however, we will respond to messages per usual during planned virtual office hours today.

We hope you stay warm and safe!

The Lantern Health Team

12/18/2025

Have you heard the buzz about health shares?

Lantern Health members commonly choose to also belong to a health share, sometimes called a "medical cost sharing community." Our practice uses transparent, cash-based pricing to attend to low- and medium-cost health needs with a focus on comprehensive primary care for all ages. Health shares are designed to provide a safety net for larger cost needs. While we don't partner explicitly with any company, several of them (Sedera and Zion Health Shares are two examples) offer discounted rates to people who are enrolled in a DPC practice, including ours, because they recognize the value that the model affords.

If you have more questions, please consider reading this detailed description in the link below and also speaking with the customer service teams from the health shares you are interested in. Referrals to our practice are an amazing compliment! If someone you know is ready to join Lantern Health for primary care, please encourage them to sign up online via our website or call our team for support.

Explore the pros and cons of health share plans, an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance with unique community benefits.

12/11/2025

Check out this free offering We Belong! The group meets twice per month, on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at the UU Congregation of Asheville at 1 Edwin Place, which is located just off Charlotte St. Their next offering is this coming Tuesday 12/16 from 5-7 p.m. RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/webelongprogram

11/06/2025

Spread the word! Movember is an annual global event held in November that raises funds and awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and su***de prevention. You can take several steps to participate!

- Grow a mustache: spark conversations & raise funds
- Move: commit to running or walking 60 miles this month to honor the 60 men lost to su***de globally every hour
- Donate: support Movember Foundation's initiatives
- Host a Mo-Ment: organize and host an event to raise awareness & funds

Movember, the month formerly known as November, is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health.

10/27/2025

Join us for our transformative virtual mind-body classes led by Lisa Varnо, our certified Integrative Health Coach and experienced yoga and mindfulness meditation instructor. Express your interest by clicking the links below and completing our forms. You do not need to commit to regular attendance in order to participate!

Gentle Yoga & Meditation Class
Tuesdays | 4:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Unwind and reconnect with yourself in this gentle yoga class designed to release tension and promote relaxation. Suitable for all levels, this 30-minute session will integrate calming yoga postures with mindful awareness and applied polyvagal theory, ending with a soothing, ten-minute guided meditation to help you find peace in your body and mind. *Note: there are no standing postures in this class. Click here to register: https://forms.gle/ZKxRULXwGVSRBEYU7

Guided Mindfulness Meditation Session
Thursdays | 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Take a moment for yourself in our guided mindfulness meditation session. This 30-minute practice aims to cultivate awareness and presence, helping you develop resilience in the face of everyday stressors. Guided by Lisa's expertise in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, you'll learn valuable ways to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life. Click here to register: https://forms.gle/K95Lxp5wkbzzcE8W6

Join us online via Zoom for these rejuvenating sessions and discover the profound benefits of mindfulness and gentle movement. All you need is a quiet space, a mat (for yoga), and an open heart. We look forward to sharing this journey with you!