Mountain ENT started in 1985 when Ben Douglas, MD and Greg Salyer, Audiologist decided to relocate to the mountains of North Carolina and open their practices together. Dr. Douglas and Dr. Salyer had developed a strong working relationship during their years in the Army together, and that business partnership continues to this day.       With an office in Sylva, Dr. Douglas soon found himself drawn into other areas of the western mountains, journeying to Murphy for a weekly clinic. He also began seeing patients at the Indian Health Service in Cherokee. As the years passed, Dr. Douglas grew busier, and in 1995 recruited Dr. D.L. Wilkey to join him.      Dr. Wilkey left a busy academic practice in California for the peace and beauty of the western mountains, and soon found himsef just as busy as Dr. Douglas, particularly since the practice opened an office in Franklin, NC in 1999. Dr. Wilkey left the practice in 2005.      Most recently, Dr. John Buenting has joined the group. Dr. Buenting also left a university practice for the good life in rural North Carolina, and now helps to provide full time office and OR coverage in both the Sylva and Franklin locations. As the population of the western mountains continues to grow, Mountain ENT will likely continue its growth to match. In fact, despite Dr. Wilkey's recent departure, Mountain ENT has now opened an office in Murphy!