ABOUT OUR DOCTORS

Dr. Lidia Adkins, CFMP, DC, PKT is the founder and CEO of the Carolinas Weight Loss Institute. Dr. Adkins has never been content to accept the “status quo” or “just get by”, but she has excelled at every step of her professional career. This is reflected in her educational pursuits and in the attention to detail she gives to every patient at her Institute. Dr. Lidia Adkins graduated Summa Cum Laude from Sherman College of Chiropractic. Prior to her enrollment at Sherman, she completed a big part of her medical training at Carol Davila Medical University of Bucharest, Romania. One of Dr. Lidia’s passions is helping others overcome their weight loss challenges. She has spent years and countless hours studying in several postgraduate programs how to treat and manage nutritional related deficiencies that lead to weight gain. She has studied with some of the foremost authority figures in holistic and nutritional medicine in the United States. In 2010, Dr. Adkins started her pursuit in developing a holistic, functional weight loss protocol that takes in consideration the uniqueness of each individual, according to that persons’ genetic make up, metabolic predisposition and health status. Dr. Adkins sees patients that have spent years going from specialist to specialist trying to get healthy and trying to manage their weight challenges. They exhausted their time, investments and hopes and yet they are still in a bad place. This is what motivated her to train with Dr. Datis Kharrazian and to start incorporating Functional Medicine in her practice. As part of her post-graduate education, she earned the title Functional Medicine Physician from the Functional Medicine University. Dr Adkins is currently pursuing a Diplomat Degree with the American Clinical Board of Nutrition. She is trained in Functional Blood Chemistry, Functional Endocrinology, Brain and Neurotransmitters. Dr Adkins is happily married with 2 beautiful children. She is currently in active practice and managing weight loss patients at our Gastonia, NC location.

Dr. Sarah Merrison-McEntire is the owner and CEO of Carolina Chiropractic Plus of Rutherford County and Carolina Chiropractic Plus of Polk County.  She is originally from Pittsburgh, PA where she attended the University of Pittsburgh. She then attended Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in Spartanburg, SC where she earned her doctorate of chiropractic in 2006. Dr. Sarah has been in practice at Carolina Chiropractic Plus for the past 10 years where she has grown as a chiropractor by building patient relationships and educating patients on the importance of maintaining a well-adjusted spine and a healthy lifestyle.  Dr. Sarah is very active in the community and her mission is to give everyone opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Sarah has married local Rutherford County native Kevin McEntire on June 12, 2010; they have since welcomed two children to their family Sophia Ruth who is 3 years old and Kaden James who is 1 year old. Dr. Sarah is also very active in the Rutherford County Community. She is currently an active member of the Forest City Kiwanis Club and the Professional Woman’s Association of Rutherford County. She has recently been added to the board of directors of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. She is very passionate about her profession as well as volunteering her time to help the community of Rutherford and Polk Counties. Dr Sarah is currently in active practice managing weight loss patients at our Forest City and Columbus locations.

Dr. Mary Shafer – Morris has put others first throughout her entire life. Growing up she was a teen leader in her local 4-H club which made her realize helping others is something she wanted to do for her lifelong career. After graduating from Lawton Community Schools as Co-Valedictorian she attended Western Michigan University where she majored in Biomedical Science. Dr. Mary then transferred to Logan College of Chiropractic where she rst earned her Bachelor of Science Degree and the Doctor or Chiropractic Degree. While completing her chiropractic degree Dr. Mary also enrolled in Masters classes and recentl earned her Masters of Science degree from Logan University in Sports Science and Rehabilitation. Dr. Mary’s desire is to empower her patients to strive for wellness. She is excited about new opportunities to teach about nutrition and weight loss as it impacts human physiology.

Dr. Drew Morris is Co-Owner and CEO of Atlas Chiropractic & Wellness with his wife Dr. Mary Shafer-Morris. He grew up in a small community of Grottoes, VA. After graduating from high school he attended Bridgewater College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health and exercise Science. He then moved to St. Louis, MO to attend Logan College of Chiropractic where he earned his doctorate of chiropractic and masters of sports science and rehabilitation. Dr. Drew excels in his field as a preferred chiropractor provider and an advocate for health patient care and education. Dr. Drew understands the value of leadership and service, which is rejected by the level of his involvement in the community. Dr. Drew stays very active within the chiropractic community as a member of the American Chiropractic Association, Logan Alumni Association, Council of Chiropractic Acupuncture, and a fellow of the Acupuncture Society of America. Dr. Drew’s commitment is to serve his patients with the most updated tools in order to provide an outstanding individualized care.

DR. ADKINS CREDENTIALS