Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine

Susanne G. Bentley, DO, FASAM

Dr. Susanne G. Bentley is a dual board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine. She began her medical career in the prehospital setting as a paramedic for Buncombe County Emergency Medical Services in Asheville, North Carolina. Her time in the field exposed her to the realities of healthcare inequities, limited access to preventive care, and the profound impact of untreated mental health and substance use disorders. These experiences inspired her to pursue a career in primary care with a focus on prevention, early intervention, and equitable access for all patients.
Dr. Bentley earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and completed her internal medicine residency with Prisma Health and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Greenville. There, she developed a strong foundation in HIV prevention (PrEP), addiction recovery, and hepatitis C treatment. Dr. Bentley continued her training at Vanderbilt University in the Department of Psychiatry, completing a fellowship in Addiction Medicine, where she focused her studies on gender-affirming care, LGBTQ+ health, chronic pain, opioid use disorder, and hepatitis C treatment among patients with substance use disorders. While at Vanderbilt, she also served as a medical clinician for the Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Expectant Mothers (MOMS) clinical trial, part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Clinical Trials Network, contributing to research aimed at improving outcomes for pregnant patients affected by opioid use disorder.

Throughout her career, Dr. Bentley has combined clinical excellence with a deep commitment to healthcare equity and education. In her recent career, she has focused on implementing hospital addiction consultation services improving hospital-based care for patients with complex pain and substance use needs. In addition to her hospitalist and leadership roles, she has remained actively engaged in outpatient and community health settings, particularly in Federally Qualified Health Centers serving underserved populations.

Passionate about teaching, Dr. Bentley has served as an instructor throughout her career in EMS and as a professor of medicine. She understands that improving knowledge for all improves healthcare outcomes for everyone. She continues to work on materials and lecture series to provide education for new providers and colleagues in addition to her patients and their families. Guided by the osteopathic philosophy of treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—Dr. Bentley is dedicated to helping patients build healthier lives through compassionate, comprehensive primary care.

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