About Family Medicine
Our practice offers a full range of medical services including, medical weight loss, chronic disease management, laboratory, x-ray, bone density, and same day appointments available for acute needs.
We have a full team of physicians and physician assistants to care for you and your family’s health. As part of the Northern Medical Group Physician Network our patients have access to a full line of specialty physician services as well as the full line of acute care provided by Northern Regional Hospital.
Northern Family Medicine, formerly Northwest Medical Partners, P.A., has been serving patients for over 20 years. Northwest Medical Partners, P.A. was established by D. Nelson Gardner, MD in 2000. Dr. Gardner opened the doors to ProHealth Fitness Center that same year. Both facilities have served thousands of patients and clients throughout Surry County and surrounding communities throughout the region including southwest Virginia. The facilities joined forces with Northern Regional Hospital and Northern Medical Group in 2015 to provide their patients with more seamless access to Northern Medical Group’s core network of physician specialists and the acute care programs offered by Northern Regional Hospital.
Northern Family Medicine is a proud member of the BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Blue Quality Physician Program (BQPP). BQPP is a designation for independent primary care practices that provide high-quality, low-cost, and patient-centered care for Blue Cross NC members.


Northern Family Medicine is also recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Medical Home. According to the NCQA, patients of Patient-Centered practices are more likely to:
Stay healthy. Patients who are treated in PCMHs tend to receive preventative services and screenings at a higher rate than patients not in PCMHs, helping keep them healthy.
Receive Better communication. A core concept of the PCMH model is to communicate with patients and their families/caregivers. The model emphasizes enhanced access so patients can get clinical advice or medical records when needed.
Better manage chronic conditions. PCMHs are especially helpful for patients with complex chronic conditions. Research shows that these conditions are managed better in a medical home. Have a better experience. When attributes of team-based care are described to people, they say it is the type of care they want to receive.