Gustav Cappaert, PA-C

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

WNCCHS—Minnie Jones Health Center

Gustav Cappaert, PA-C, began his physician assistant career at WNCCHS, completing the Advanced Practice Safety Net Residency at Minnie Jones Health Center in 2018 after graduating from the Duke University Physician Assistant Program. He has lived and worked in Western North Carolina ever since, with clinical experience in both urgent care and internal medicine.

Prior to becoming a physician assistant, Gustav worked as a medical interpreter in rural Peru and previously served as a community organizer. He speaks advanced Spanish and values working with patients from diverse backgrounds.

Gustav’s clinical interests include preventive and lifestyle medicine, endocrinology, infectious disease, and rheumatology. He is drawn to community health because he values caring for patients who have faced barriers to accessing medical care. He finds meaning in working with individuals whose health concerns may have gone unaddressed due to insurance challenges, past negative experiences, or other systemic obstacles.

He approaches primary care as a collaborative partnership, striving to be what he describes as a “friend with special knowledge.” As a provider, Gustav emphasizes trust, humility, and shared decision-making. He believes in listening carefully, clearly explaining options, and respecting each patient’s autonomy while offering thoughtful, evidence-based guidance.

Outside of work, Gustav enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, building things, noodling on musical instruments, and reading long, boring books.