Our Professional Staff

Our experienced providers are committed to a high standard of patient care and are here for you throughout every stage of your hearing journey.

Who We Are

We understand choosing a healthcare provider is a big decision. At Mountain ENT, our number one priority is delivering exceptional patient care. Our staff combines years of expertise in ear, nose and throat healthcare, and is well-trained on a variety of services ranging from evaluations to treatment.

We promise to provide unparalleled, personalized healthcare for our community by actively engaging our patients, working together with the knowledge and tools necessary to improve the overall quality of life for anyone seeking guidance and healing. We strive to offer the highest quality health care to the citizens and visitors of Western North Carolina by delivering ethical, compassionate and respectful state of the art treatment through the professionalism and commitment of our dedicated physicians and staff.

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Our Providers

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John E. Buenting, MD, MPH

Surgeon

A native of California, Dr. John E. Buenting received both his Masters Degree in Public Health and Medical Degree from Tulane University in 1991. He completed his Otolaryngology Surgery residency at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1996 and remained as a faculty member at UNC, rising to the rank of Clinical Associate Professor.

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Shawn D. Kosnik, DO, FACS

Surgeon

Dr. Shawn D. Kosnik received his medical degree in 1996 from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. After graduation he entered the United States Navy. Dr. Kosnik completed a 1 year internship in Pensacola, Florida, followed by a 2 year term as a general medical officer with the US Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

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Robin Pope, Ph.D., PA-C, FAWM

Chief Physician Assistant

Dr. Pope graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.S. in Geology and Geophysics. He attended North Carolina State University where he earned a M.S. and Ph.D. in Oceanography. 

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Paige Snow Brinke, MS, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Paige Snow Brinke was born and raised in Murphy, NC.  She received her undergraduate degree in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1997.  She then attended George Washington University in Washington, DC where she received a Masters of Health Sciences and her Physician Assistant Degree.

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Kristen Brooks, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Kristen Brooks, a native of eastern North Carolina, completed her undergraduate degree at Western Carolina University where she was a member of the Catamounts Division I Softball team. She joined the Mountain ENT staff in 2013 and worked as Clinical Coordinator, serving as the lead Medical Assistant to Dr. Ben Douglas; overseeing clinical staff, equipment and clinical scheduling.

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Emily G. Wilkins, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Emily Wilkins was born and raised in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. She attended Western Carolina University where she earned her undergraduate degree in emergency medicine. Upon graduation, she served our local counties for seven years as a paramedic. Longing for ways to advance her medical training and give back to her community, Emily chose to continue her education at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

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Selena J. Rogers, Au.D.

Audiologist

Born and raised in Western North Carolina, Selena J. Rogers, Au.D. has practiced audiology in the mountains for more than 15 years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the Communication Disorders Program at Western Carolina University in 2000. Dr. Rogers earned her Masters Degree in 2002 From East Tennessee State University and completed a clinical fellowship in Audiology at Central Carolina Ear, Nose & Throat the same year.

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John R. Smith, Jr., Au.D.

Audiologist

In October 2012, Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates and Salyer Hearing Center, PLLC were pleased to welcome John R. Smith Jr. Au.D. Dr. Smith has been a practicing audiologist in Western North Carolina since January of 2005. He completed his graduate work in audiology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1992.

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Nina M. Thomas, Au.D.

Audiologist

As an East Tennessee native, Nina Thomas, Au.D. found her way back to the mountains when she joined Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates and Salyer Hearing Center, PLLC in 2021. Dr. Thomas received her Bachelor's in Audiology and Speech Pathology from the University of Tennessee in 2017. She then earned her Clinical Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2021.

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