About Our Staff

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Cindy has been with the Clinic since December 2021. 

Having grown up in Montana with the mountains of Glacier National Park in her backyard, Cindy has a deep appreciation for the great outdoors.  She is excited to explore all the adventures the Smoky Mountains have to offer. 

Cindy has a background in publishing, marketing and community involvement.  Her true passion is being able to serve her community through working with non-profits.  She moved to North Carolina to be closer to family and to enjoy a slower pace.

Cindy was drawn to The Community Care Clinic because of their belief that everyone deserves basic healthcare.  She looks forward to serving the patients of the Community Care Clinic of Franklin.  She is delighted to call Franklin home and is excited to become an active part of the community.

   I was born and raised in Sylva, North Carolina, and joined the Community Care Clinic of Franklin in July 2021 as a Medical Assistant. Since then, I have grown within the organization, serving as the Executive Director’s Administrative Assistant and, beginning in April 2025, added the responsibility of Clinical Supervisor and became a member of the Leadership Team.

In May 2025, I graduated from Southwestern Community College with an Associate degree in Healthcare Administration. I am currently enrolled in SCC’s Practical Nursing (LPN) program and plan to continue my education by earning my RN and BSN degrees.

Outside of work and school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and cruising whenever I get the chance. I am passionate about serving others and look forward to continuing to grow within the Community Care Clinic while helping ensure our patients feel heard, respected, and cared for. 

"Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, I have proudly called Franklin, North Carolina, home for nearly 20 years. It is here that I have built a family with my two greatest blessings: my children, Valentina and Nicolás and our beloved dog, Lola. In our bilingual home, we proudly celebrate our Mexican heritage while remaining deeply grateful for the opportunities this great country has provided us.

I have proudly been part of the Community Care Clinic of Franklin team since 2021. My journey began as a translator and patient advocate, primarily serving the Hispanic community and helping individuals navigate the healthcare system with confidence, respect, and compassion. Over time, that commitment led me to my current role as Clinic Director and Medication Assistance Program Coordinator. 

Every day, I have the privilege of working alongside a dedicated team committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to those who need it most. I firmly believe that healthcare goes beyond medicine; it is about listening, offering support, and treating every individual with dignity to help improve their quality of life. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring nature, and staying connected to the community I have the honor of serving." 

 Dr. Hinshaw and his wife Dr. Robin Markle Hinshaw maintained their private medical practice of ambulatory gynecology care in Franklin for 23 years.  The office closed at the end of 2025; both doctors are continuing their medical license.  They had long been aware of the Community Care Clinic of Franklin, which offers ambulatory medical services for NC Medicaid enrolled patients and the uninsured who cannot afford other sources of care.  Dr. Hinshaw offered his volunteer services to the Community Care Clinic of Franklin and started there as an attending gynecologist in February 2026. 

Banks and Robin enjoy working in and addressing the challenges presented by the Appalachian forest surrounding their home.  They built their home with oak trees that had to be removed to make a place to put the building.  He enjoys woodworking and has designed and often constructed much of the house interior from those same trees.  

 Hannah has been with the Clinic since February 2022. She has been caring for residents of Macon and surrounding counties for many years. As an RN, Hannah worked for both Long-term care facilities as well the Mother-Baby, Pediatric, and Medical-Surgical units of Harris Regional Hospital. After Graduating with her Nurse Practitioners Degree, she has been working in Urgent Care, Family Care, Psychiatric Care, and Internal Medicine meeting the needs of all ages. 

Ms. Caplinger started out by going to Southwestern Community for her Associates of Science in Nursing. She then transferred to Western Caroline University for her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2014 and Graduated in 2019 with her Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner Degree. 

Ms. Caplinger was raised in Sylva, N.C. She has grown up in the community and is now raising her son Jeremiah here. She also has a lab mix named Princess Leah, and a Morkie Puppy named Bella-Ewa. She enjoys traveling, watching star wars, hiking, crafting, and reading, She is excited and ready to care for and meet the needs of this community.  

 Cherie has been with the Clinic since August 2021.

Having had a life-long desire to practice medicine, she finally reached that goal in 2010, after her children were grown and moved away from home. She has worked in ENT, Geriatrics, and Oncology, but her greatest satisfaction is being a Primary Care PA. One of the greatest thing about the PA profession is the ability to work in both primary care or in a specialty field. She is glad to have the opportunity work in primary care so that she can help people make better life choices that can benefit their overall health. She states "It is so rewarding to be a part of that change."

She is pleased to be one of the health care providers at the Community Care Clinic of Franklin. She derives great pleasure by being able to provide high quality, compassionate care to our patients, many of whom have either received very limited, or no health care-sometimes for years. It is her hope that with time and the excellent leadership of our Executive Director and our Board, that this clinic will be able to partner with other health care specialists in our area to better meet the needs of the uninsured in our community.  

Abbi joined the clinic in 2023. She is an avid reader, cook, and baker. She enjoys creating delicious casseroles and cobblers, as she finds joy in their simplicity and versatility. Although fiction is her preferred genre, she occasionally gets into biographies for a change of pace.

 Abbi is currently pursuing a degree in Nursing at SCC through the NC RIBN program. Abbi aspires to become a Nurse Practitioner. This ambition led her to volunteer at our clinic, where her dedication and passion lies with helping others. Through this experience, she aims to solidify her career path in nursing, reaffirming her desire to make a difference in people's lives. Abbi's dedication to helping others makes her a valuable member of our team and we are thrilled to have her!

  "My name is Dayami Cruz.  I'm a senior at Macon Early College High school and a volunteer at the Community Care Clinic of Franklin. I am passionate about pursuing a career in nursing and recently earned my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification."

"Through my work at the clinic, I enjoy supporting my community while gaining hands-on experience in patient care. Beyond the clinic, I stay involved in service projects and volunteering. I also enjoy spending time outdoors or with family and friends in my free time."

Jordan joined our clinic the beginning of June 2025 as a Receptionist. Jordan, originally from Marion moved to Sylva, and then moved to Franklin two years ago. She is a wife, a proud cat mom, and a lover of good and bad movies. She is also a firm believer that y’all means all. 

Lisa is excited to bring hope to her community in the position of Community Outreach. Community Care Clinic has services that the majority of Macon and surrounding counties are not aware of.  She wants them to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and life can be healthy & fabulous. 

Lisa has called Macon County home for over 30 years, although she has been spending time with family in Franklin since 1976 (50 years). Her work experience is diverse with a focus on Film & Video, and Marketing & Design. She likes to spend time with family and friends, and go anywhere there is water. One of her favorites is sitting on her porch with her cat Dude listening to the creek and watching the wildlife. 

Always remember:  "See How Great Life Can Be"

  Anita is a mother of four (three boys and one girl) – all grown and thriving.  Having recently retired after a 36-year career as a physical therapist, she enjoys reading, traveling, crocheting, volunteering and spending more time with her husband.  They are expecting their first grandchild in May 2026 and are excited to become grandparents!  

 Rachel Ball is a senior undergraduate student at Western Carolina University pursuing a career in medicine. She is passionate about patient care and community health and will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a pre-health concentration and a minor in Chemistry. Rachel is currently preparing for medical school, where she hopes to become a rural physician and continue serving others through compassionate, hands-on care.

Rachel volunteers at the clinic because she cares deeply about giving back to the community and believes everyone deserves access to quality healthcare. She values building genuine relationships with patients and strives to be someone they can trust and feel comfortable with. She is also excited to be part of the clinic’s weekly classes and looks forward to both learning from others and contributing new ideas along the way.

“Hi, I’m Ruby and I am a junior at Macon Early College. My life goal is to pursue a career in the medical field, and I want to start by caring for my community and volunteering at the Community Care Clinic of Franklin.” 

 Janet is a retired RN who moved to Otto from Texas 13 years ago with her husband Dean.  She has been committed to volunteering in her community throughout her life.  She enjoys gardening, genealogy research and church activities.  Her children and grandchildren add special joy to her life.   

  Sophia Stenson is a sophomore undergraduate student at Western Carolina University studying Biology on the pre-healthcare track. She hopes to contribute to public health and wellbeing throughout her professional career and is passionate about equality, social justice, and community.

Sophia is grateful for the opportunity to help support equal access to the highest level of care possible at the Community Care Clinic of Franklin. She looks forward to forming lasting connections and building meaningful relationships within the community.

 Natalia Salazar Reyes will soon graduate from Western Carolina University with degrees in Health Sciences and Chemistry. She is also involved in biochemistry research focused on viruses. Originally from High Point, North Carolina, Natalia is an aspiring medical student with a passion for learning and serving others through healthcare.

Outside of academics, Natalia enjoys hiking, running, baking, and spending time with friends and family. Her favorite thing to bake is a classic chocolate chip cookie, and her favorite food is ice cream.