OUR MEDICAL PROVIDERS.
DR. RICHARD MAYS
Medical Director
Dr. Richard Mays MD is a family physician who has been in private practice in Knoxville, TN since 1978. He is board certified in two different medical specialties, the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) and the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM). He is board eligible for the American Board of Integrative Medicine. He is a member if the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) and the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) as well as several other professional societies such as Who’s Who Among American Professionals.
Dr. Mays did his undergraduate training at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky from 1976-1980, where he double majored in Mathematics and Chemistry. While there he achieved the status of High Honor every year and was a member of the J.T. Vallandingham Society (the highest honor bestowed upon a student at the University of the Cumberlands). Dr. Mays then attended medical school at the University of Kentucky-Lexington where he graduated in the top 25% of the class in 1984. Dr. Mays completed his residency training program in Family Medicine at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville from 1984-1987.
In 2008, Dr. Mays authored “The Bible Diet” a book that discussed Biblical principles on healthy eating and disease prevention. Dr. Mays has traveled for speaking engagements on diet, nutrition, and healthy living all over the South-Eastern United States. Dr. Mays has a special interest in nutrition, obesity, disease prevention as well as chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, adrenal fatigue, diabetes, and other fatigue syndromes.
On a personal note: Dr. Mays has a strong faith in God and has taught at multiple churches the Biblical healing principles and spiritual laws. Dr. Mays is married to his wife of 38 years and has 3 beautiful adult daughters, 3 great sons-in-law, and three grandchildren. Dr. Mays enjoys organic gardening, hiking, photography, basketball, and antique collecting.
JOHN WIER, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
John Wier FNP_BC joined Brown Chiropractic and Optimal Health in 2015 after graduating from Lincoln Memorial Nurse Practitioner program. Before becoming part of the team, he practiced as Emergency Medicine Registered Nurse at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee for nearly a decade.
John has been married to his wonderful wife Katina for 22 years. He has no children but cherishes time spent with his wonderful nieces Adriana and Kasi. His hobbies include boating, shooting, and vacationing at the beach with family.
Katina Wier FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Katina Wier FNP-C joined Optimal Health in 2022. She
started her career in healthcare in 2006 as an LPN. She
became an RN in 2008 and worked a year in Oncology before
transferring to critical care. In critical care, Katina worked as
both a bedside nurse and shift manager. She earned her
Master of Science in Nursing from Lincoln Memorial
University in 2015. Since that time, she has worked as a
Hospitalist for 5 years and in gastroenterology for 2 years.
Katina has been married to her husband, John, since 1996.
She enjoys reading and spending time with her dogs and her
wonderful nieces Adriana and Kasi.
Lindsey Elkins
Nurse Practitioner
Lindsay graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College, in Knoxville with her BSN in 2009. She worked as a Registered Nurse for nine years specializing in Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant. Lindsay earned her MSN from Frontier Nursing University in Kentucky and has worked at the Northside office since 2018. She lives on the lake with her husband and Belgian Malinois, Tango. Lindsay enjoys spending summers on the lake with her friends and family and anything outdoors.
James Hose PA-C Chiros
James Hose, Jr is an NCCPA certified Physician Assistant who earned a master’s degree in physician assistant from South College in 2012. Prior to that he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bowling Green State University in 2010. As a Physician Assistant, he began his career working at Tennessee Orthopedic clinics as a surgical first assistant specializing in Sports Medicine. Since then, he has gained valuable medical experience practicing in both Urgent Care and Family Medicine. Notably, James is a veteran of the United States Army who served as an infantry team leader while on active duty. He received an honorable discharge in late 2001.
On a personal note, he enjoys spending time with his family, attending church, reading, and watching college football.
DR. SAM NIA, DC
Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Sam Nia received his undergraduate pre-med work at East Tennessee State University. He received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Life University of Marietta, GA where he also completed his Internship and received his National Board of Chiropractic Examiners certification.
Since 1998, Dr. Nia has completed post graduate studies in advanced sports medicine and rehabilitation. He is also a certified corporate ergonomics trainer and strongly believes in being an excellent communicator with his patients in order to be an effective doctor. He has helped to treat over 40,000 patients as part of a mission trip to Russia and co-authored the book, “Improving Your Life Pro-Actively.”
On a personal note, Dr. Nia enjoys playing golf, snow skiing, and traveling.
Daniel Wilder PT
Dr. Daniel Wilder received his B.S. degree in Rehabilitative Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2003. After receiving his degree there, he then went into the Graduate Physical Therapy program at UTC, where he then earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree in 2005. During his time as a Physical Therapy Clinician, he served as Director of Rehab Services for an over 200+ bed skilled nursing facility and gained experience working in outpatient orthopedic clinics. Dr. Wilder has treated a variety of Orthopedic and Neurological conditions ranging from acute/chronic Spinal conditions, Stroke Rehabilitation, Vertigo/Vestibular dysfunctions, post-surgical rehab of multiple extremities (hips, knees, shoulders, and ankles), post CVA Rehabilitation, and general debility/balance disturbances, all with positive functional outcomes. He has attended numerous post graduate courses focusing on Stroke Rehabilitation and improving manual therapy skills so that he can maximize patient’s functional outcomes.
In addition, outside of the clinic, Dr. Wilder enjoys going to UT football and basketball games, spending time outdoors, traveling, going to concerts and spending time with his wife Lauren and two daughters Kalie and Emma.
