Time has a funny way of coming full circle. For Dr. S. Rene Benson, that realization often appears in the eyes of her young patients whose parents once sat in her exam room themselves. “Knowing that I am now a multi-generational doctor is mind-blowing,” she says. “What bigger compliment could there be?”

As the founding pediatrician of Mooresville Pediatric and Adolescent Care, with Piedmont HealthCare, Dr. Benson has spent more than two decades caring for families across the Lake Norman region. What began as a childhood dream to become a pediatrician has grown into a career built on trust, compassion, and the rare privilege of walking alongside families through some of life’s earliest (and most important!) moments.

“I grew up in a small town in West Virginia,” she shares. “As a very young child of divorce, I was raised primarily by my mother and older sister. I learned early on what it meant to be a strong, independent female supported by other strong women.”

Her family eventually grew when her stepfather joined their lives. Those early experiences shaped Dr. Benson’s outlook on resilience and independence—qualities that would guide her through medical school and beyond.

“When I began my college search, I thought I wanted to attend a large co-ed school until I visited Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Virginia. As a higher academic institution designed specifically to support the further development of women, it appealed to me. It allowed me to grow both academically and personally, preparing me well for medical school.”

Dr. Benson attended West Virginia University School of Medicine and completed her pediatrics residency at the University of Kentucky. It was during her residency that she first learned about Piedmont HealthCare.

“While at the University of Kentucky, I learned of Piedmont HealthCare from another pediatric resident,” she says. “As I listened to her discuss the position, I thought to myself, ‘Sounds like the perfect fit’ … although a year too early.”

Fortunately, the timing eventually worked out. When Dr. Benson began her own job search, another pediatric position had opened within Piedmont HealthCare in Statesville.

“The position with PHC fulfilled all my professional and personal goals,” she says. “I wanted a physician-owned group where I would have the opportunity to build a practice with the appropriate support and mentorship for long-term success, and I wanted to live and serve in a smaller community where I could make a genuine connection and impact.”

Soon after relocating to Statesville in 2002, she met her husband, Jason. The two married in 2004 and now share life with their son, Hudson. “My husband has always been my biggest support,” she smiles. “Without him, I would not have been able to build and sustain the successes I have been so blessed to achieve.”

Over the past 30 years, PHC has grown significantly while staying true to its physician-led roots. The original 43 shareholders envisioned a multi-specialty practice dedicated to providing excellent, comprehensive care for the Iredell community. Today, PHC has expanded into one of the largest and most trusted medical organizations in North Carolina and the Southeast, with more than 70 locations. 

“There have been many wonderful people through the years who have helped my practice evolve into what it is today,” she says. “As the next chapter unfolds, I am looking forward to seeing how my amazing staff and nurse practitioner, Cassie Freeland, will continue building upon the service and excellence of care our patients and families expect. After almost 24 years of practice, I am still energized by the relationships I have built with my patients and their families. I never take for granted the privilege it is to be entrusted with their medical care.”

Outside the office, Dr. Benson enjoys the simple pleasures in life including a love for birdwatching. “I have turned into a bit of a bird nerd,” she says. “I enjoy studying different birds and identifying them by their calls. It satisfies my nerdy science self and keeps me in the present moment.”

Dr. Benson also understands the importance of giving back to the community. For nearly two years, she and her son Hudson have been active in the Young Men’s Service League of Lake Norman (YMSL), a mother and son program designed to develop leadership and a spirit of service in high school boys. Each year, they complete at least 20 hours of community service at various local philanthropies, including Bags of Hope, Bridge of Hearts, Cool Kids Campaign, The Christian Mission, the Mooresville Kindness Closet, Feed NC, and others. 

At the end of the day, Dr. Benson is deeply grateful for the journey that has brought her full circle to the dream she held as a child. “Because of the support I’ve had,” she reflects, “I’ve been able to return to the girl who simply wanted to be a doctor and care for kids. Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming something, but about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can step into who you were always meant to be.”