Dr. Venus

Dr. Venus and Darlene, his wife of 34 years, are natives of Buffalo, NY. While working for a local office supply company he attended the State University of Buffalo, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Cell and Developmental Biology. He earned his Medical Degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine in 1992.

During his 4 year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Keesler Medical Center at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, he served as Chief Resident from 1991-1992. After graduation he served as Clinic Director and Department Chairman while assigned to the 21st Medical Group at Shaw AFB in Sumter, South Carolina. With an Honorable Discharge in 1999, Dr. Venus joined the staff of Mitchell County Hospital in Camilla, Georgia. While there he served as Chairman of the Obstetrical/Surgery Department and was elected Chief of Staff. Since arriving in Elkin he has served as Chairman of the Obstetrical department and is presently Vice Chief of Staff.

In order to be closer to their now grown daughters, Tina-Marie and Kathleen, Dr Venus and Darlene moved to Elkin, North Carolina in 2004. Living in town, they enjoy a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle. During his free time Dr. Venus enjoys gardening and landscaping. They frequently travel to Charlotte to visit their granddaughter, Sofia, born in 2007.

Having delivered over 3000 babies and performed thousands of surgeries, over the past 18 years, Dr. Venus looks forward to continuing his thriving practice here in Elkin.

Blue Ridge Women’s Center is now the oldest Obstetrical and Gynecological practice in Elkin.

Teresa Tharpe

Teresa Tharpe is a native North Carolinian, originally from Wilkes County. She now lives in the State Road area with her 3 children.

After receiving her Nursing Degree from UNC Chapel Hill, Teresa began work as a Labor and Delivery Nurse at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital. With a growing interest in women’s health care she completed the Obstetrical/Gynecological Nurse Practitioner Program at Emory University, becoming Nationally Certified in 1991. Teresa has received additional training in evaluation of abnormal pap smears using colposcopy, uterine biopsy and IUD placement and ultrasound.

Before coming to Blue Ridge Women’s Center in 2006, Teresa provided care at the Wilkes County Health Department for 19 years. She was the Coordinator of the Communicable Disease Clinic giving her extensive experience diagnosing and treating sexually transmitted infections including HIV. As a Physician Extender, Teresa provided comprehensive Gynecological care including family planning/contraception counseling, treatment of abnormal bleeding and PAPs. She was also responsible for prenatal care of both routine and high risk pregnancies.

Our patients now benefit from Teresa’s extensive experience and caring attitude. She remains dedicated to improving health care for women of all ages and now lectures at local high schools on contraception and sexually transmitted infections.