Peter Dorton, M.D., cares for patients at FirstHealth Primary Care - Pinehurst.
Dorton has more than 20 years of medical experience. A North Carolina native from Durham, Dorton’s passion for science and medicine began early. He first worked at Duke Hospital while attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for undergraduate studies. He went on to attend East Carolina University where he earned a master’s degree in biology and his medical degree.
“Initially, I was interested in studying disease and pathology while in medical school at East Carolina,” Dorton shared. “But after spending time with several remarkable family medicine physicians in the community, I was inspired to pursue this primary care specialty.”
In addition to providing acute care, chronic disease management, Dorton has developed a strong focus on preventive care and optimizing health through lifestyle changes.
“I’ve become increasingly interested in disease prevention and promoting overall health through healthy habits,” he said.
Dorton completed a fellowship in Integrative Medicine under Dr. Andrew Weil at the University of Arizona School of Medicine. Integrative medicine blends conventional and alternative therapies to care for a patient’s physical, emotional, social, spiritual and environmental health.
During the fellowship, Dorton expanded his knowledge in areas such as nutrition, sleep hygiene, and mind and body medicine practices like breath work, relaxation techniques, meditation and yoga, all of which play a critical role in health and healing.
“I love working with patients to help empower them with ideas that promote health and healing,” Dorton said.