JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – A neurologist has opened a new clinic in Jacksonville after his previous employer closed its practice suddenly in late November, leaving patients in the region without neurology services.
Dr. Sashi Taravath opened Brain Matters Neurology, located at 3391 Henderson Drive, this week after the permanent closure of Jacksonville Children’s & Multispecialty Clinic of Neurology.
“We wanted to continue serving patients because a lot of them were coming to see us, and there are no other neurology service providers, so they were depending on us,” Dr. Taravath said.
Dr. Taravath said the sudden closure of JCMC wasn’t handled properly, leaving patients looking for answers.
“It was unfortunate that patients were not given proper recourse to continue their care,” he said.
Ernie Leonard, who first started seeing Dr. Taravath at a Havelock facility a few years ago, said he’s happy the doctor now has his own practice.
His wife, Joyce Leonard, said JCMC was difficult to work with.
“We had a very hard time trying to get into his office. They wouldn’t return our phone calls, and they ordered the wrong tests that Dr. Taravath requested,” Joyce Leonard said.
The Leonards said the issues with the old clinic extended beyond scheduling problems.
“We weren’t upset about their closing, but we’re upset that we cannot get my husband’s medical records and the tests that he had done there,” Joyce Leonard said.
Dr. Taravath said he hopes to see more familiar faces as the community learns about the clinic.
“I think we did provide excellent service and good care, and I’m sure most of the patients would love to come back and see us,” he said.
“I’ve always felt it’s our duty to provide the service to people in this part of the state where there is no one else to provide that care,” Dr. Taravath said.
He declined to comment on why the old clinic closed. He said he brought some staff members with him from JCMC but hasn’t hired a nurse practitioner yet. He said that a hire will be made soon.
Copyright 2026 WITN. All rights reserved.