Novant Health expands women’s healthcare access in the Triad with six new physicians

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Novant Health has welcomed six women's health physicians, Drs. Abbey Donahue, Haley Gesse, Joseph Gobern, Jackeline Larker, Gianna Daugherty and Amanda Sherman, to provide comprehensive women's health services in Kernersville and Winston-Salem.

The physicians are part of Novant Health's ongoing commitment to expand access to advanced primary and specialty care services across the region. So far in 2026, Novant Health has added more than 80 new physicians and advanced practice providers in the Triad, with 50 more clinicians expected to join by the end of the year.

"We are focused on meeting women's healthcare needs through every stage of life," said Davida Henderson, director of the Novant Health Women's & Children's Institute in the Triad region. "From maternity care and gynecological support to hormone therapy and advanced cancer services, our teams are here to provide the expert, compassionate care women deserve."

Meet the physicians

Donahue joins Novant Health as a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with more than seven years of experience. She specializes in maternal-fetal medicine and is passionate about helping patients experiencing high-risk pregnancies and complex maternal health conditions. She earned her medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and completed her residency at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and her fellowship at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Donahue sees patients at Novant Health Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Winston-Salem.

Gesse joins Novant Health as a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. She specializes in providing comprehensive women's health services and is trained in the latest minimally invasive surgical procedures. Gesse earned her medical degree from Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. She completed her residency training at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis, Indiana. Gesse sees patients at Novant Health Valaoras & Lewis OB/GYN in Winston-Salem.

Gobern joins Novant Health as a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with more than 25 years of experience. He specializes in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical solutions for complex benign gynecologic conditions, including severe endometriosis, uterine fibroids and abnormal bleeding. Gobern previously served as health system chair of obstetrics and gynecology care at Main Line Health in Radnor, Pennsylvania, and as a U.S. Army colonel and department chair at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University's Hebert School of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, completed his residency through the San Antonio Uniformed Services Education Consortium and completed his complex benign gynecology fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Gobern has received several honors throughout his career, including Philadelphia Magazine's Top Doctor designation from 2021 through 2026. He sees patients at Novant Health Winston-Salem Gynecology.

Larker joins Novant Health as an obstetrician-gynecologist with more than six years of experience. She specializes in maternity care, minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries, holistic wellness care and gynecologic oncology screenings. Larker previously worked at WakeMed Cary Hospital, where she provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care services. She earned her medical degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in South Carolina and completed her residency at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, North Carolina. Larker sees patients at Novant Health Deep River OB/GYN in Kernersville.

Daugherty joins Novant Health as a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. She specializes in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic health surgery and regularly treats patients for urinary incontinence, pelvic prolapse and other complex pelvic health conditions. Daugherty, who is also a certified medical Spanish interpreter, earned her medical degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She completed her residency at Baylor College of Medicine and her fellowship at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Daugherty sees patients at Novant Health Pelvic Health Center in Winston-Salem.

Sherman joins Novant Health as a urologist specializing in urogynecology and male and female pelvic reconstructive surgery. She treats a wide range of disorders, including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, urinary tract strictures and painful bladder syndrome. She also performs several minimally invasive urogynecologic procedures. Sherman earned her medical degree from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She completed her residency at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center and her fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She sees patients at Novant Health Pelvic Health Center and Novant Health Urology Baldwin, both in Winston-Salem.

Learn more or schedule an appointment:

• Novant Health Deep River OB/GYN, formerly known as Novant Health WomanCare in Kernersville, is located at 1730 Kernersville Medical Parkway, Suite 104. To schedule an appointment, call 336-481-8750 or visit NovantHealth.org/DeepRiverObGynKernersville.
• Novant Health Pelvic Health Center is located at 770 Highland Oaks Drive in Winston-Salem. To schedule an appointment, call 336-718-1970 or visit NovantHealth.org/PelvicHealthWS.
• Novant Health Winston-Salem Gynecology is located at 201 Executive Park Blvd. in Winston-Salem. To schedule an appointment, call 336-774-9000 or visit NovantHealth.org/WinstonSalemGynecology.
• Novant Health Valaoras & Lewis OB/GYN is located at 245 Charlois Blvd. in Winston-Salem. To schedule an appointment, call 336-659-4777 or visit NovantHealth.org/ValaorasLewisOBGYN.
• Novant Health Maternal-Fetal Medicine is located at 1806 S. Hawthorne Road in Winston-Salem. To schedule an appointment, call 336-718-3170 or visit NovantHealth.org/MaternalFetalArdmore.

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About Novant Health

Novant Health is an integrated network of more than 900 locations, including 21 hospitals, nearly 800 physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, and imaging and pharmacy services. This network supports a seamless and personalized healthcare experience for communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. Novant Health is nationally recognized for our unwavering commitment to safety and the highest quality care, and we serve as a catalyst for healthcare transformation through clinical trials, leading-edge research, innovative care delivery models and robust virtual care networks. The expertise and empathy of our nearly 44,000 team members along with more than 9,100 independent and employed clinicians are at the heart of Our Cause as industry leaders caring for communities across the Carolinas. In 2025, Novant Health provided more than $2.1 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.

For more information, visit NovantHealth.org. Follow Novant Health on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.