James “Jay” Stevens, MD, CAQSM, ABAARM, FAAFP, is a seasoned physician and the founder of Essential Health, with over 30 years of experience in innovative primary care medicine. He has practiced in diverse conventional primary care settings, including group private practice and hospital-employed roles, where he also served as a physician leader as the Chairman of Rex Primary Care from 1994-2003.

In 2003, Dr. Stevens founded Carolina Family Practice & Sports Medicine (CFP&SM) in Cary, North Carolina, now part of Novant Health. He later developed an Executive Health Program that evolved into a direct primary care practice. As Chief Innovation Officer at Essential Holding Company, Dr. Stevens plays a key role in advancing the organization’s mission to refine and introduce cutting-edge methods to Essential Health clinics. Dr. Stevens is Board Certified in Family Practice and Anti-Aging Medicine, with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine and the American Academy of Family Practice. He is also certified in Peptide Therapy and is a member of the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine International.