Taylor Banks Kirkman, DO, FACC, FSCAI was born and raised in Yancey County as the daughter of Randy and Donna Banks and the granddaughter of Ruth Banks, who most people know as she was very active in local government.

As Taylor grew up golfing with her family, she began work at Mountain Air Country Club as a cart attendant during her high school and college years. Subsequently, she attended Mars Hill College on a golf scholarship, followed by medical school in South Carolina at VCOM-Spartanburg Campus.

In 2014, Taylor married Travis Kirkman on Cane River with lots of friends and family  (including all Mountain Strong members!) in attendance to celebrate. It hit Travis and Taylor hard when Travis started working on relief efforts in Burnsville shortly after Hurricane Helene. After the dust had settled, he sent pictures to Taylor that their wedding location was gone forever.

Taylor is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, General Cardiology, Echocardiography, and Interventional Cardiology. She was Chief of Internal Medicine and General Cardiology during her training in Florida. Her heart strings were pulled back home after completing an Interventional Cardiology fellowship, and with the gentle nudge from her family, she moved back to NC. She is currently located in New Bern, NC, working as an Interventional Cardiologist with skills in Peripheral Vascular procedures as well as performing TAVRs.

The Kirkmans remain dedicated to helping rebuild the community that has raised them and been their true “home” throughout the years.