• Contemporary Care For All Ages

Meet Our Providers

Our office not only has excellent providers, but an exceptional support team as well. When you come to Highlands Family Medicine, you will be greeted by our friendly, professional front desk staff. Your experienced Medical Assistant will then escort you back to your appointment. We have a skilled billing team in our office who is able to speak with you personally about any billing concerns you may have. We are also proud to offer the services of our referrals specialist, should you need a referral to a specialist at any point in your care. Highlands Family Medicine has been serving our patients since 1969, and is excited for you to be part of our family.

Our Providers

Joseph Bednarek
M.D.
Joseph Bednarek grew up in Billings, Montana. He attended medical school at the University of Washington and completed his residency training at Mercy Medical Center in Denver. He enjoys developing relationships with his patients of all ages. His personal life is very full with his wife, Jill, twins Claire and Luke, and his youngest son, John. He enjoys drawing and painting. Take a look around our office – many of the paintings you see are his!
Kara Burkhardt
PA-C
Kara Burkhardt joined Highlands Family Medicine in January 2019. She is a Colorado native who studied at the University of Colorado Boulder. She went to PA school at Stony Brook University in New York. Kara has been working in primary care since 2013. She loves working with patients of all ages and backgrounds. She has a special interest in women’s health, mental health, dermatology and skin care. Outside of the office Kara and her husband enjoy camping, traveling and spending time with their two children.
Lauren Kolfenbach
PA-C
Lauren Kolfenbach grew up in Grand Rapids, MI. She attended PA school at the University of Iowa and has been practicing primary care since 2003. She has been with Highlands Family Medicine since 2009. She has had papers published on childhood depression and irritable bowel syndrome and enjoys serving as a peer editor for a national medical journal. She and her husband, Jason, stay busy running after their daughter, Isabella, and sons, Hayden and Dylan.
Lukas McWhorter
M.D.
Lukas McWhorter grew up in Lubbock, Texas. He attended medical school and completed his residency training at the Texas Tech University HSC School of Medicine. Dr. McWhorter joined us in June 2017 from the Centura Health Physician’s Group where he also practiced family medicine. Dr. McWhorter enjoys preventative medicine and urgent care as well as chronic care management. He also takes a special interest in dermatologic procedures. He values time with his family and loves all outdoor activities including backpacking, camping, skiing, and fishing.
Miriam Reece
M.D.
Miriam Reece grew up in Colorado. She attended medical school at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency training at Swedish Medical Center in Denver. Additionally, she completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of California San Diego. Dr. Reece practices both Family and Sports Medicine and also has particular passions for preventative medicine and women’s health. Outside of the office she likes spending time with her husband, Marc, and two children. She enjoys hiking, camping, running, skiing, reading, gardening and listening to live music.
Maura Hinton
PA-C
Maura Hinton grew up in Texas and attended Texas A&M University where she studied Biomedical Science. She then attended PA school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. After graduating, she practiced primary care in Fort Worth for a few years before moving to Denver. She practiced at a gastroenterology practice for two years before transitioning back to primary care. She joined Highlands Family Medicine in August 2021. She enjoys the connections that can be made with patients in primary care and providing comprehensive care for patients of all ages. Outside of the office she enjoys spending time in the mountains, listening to podcasts and trying new restaurants.
Nathan-Litton
Nathan Litton
PA-C
Nathan Litton is the most recent provider to join Highlands Family Medicine. He joined our team in May 2022. We welcome him from the St. Luke’s Health Network in Pennsylvania. He is a Colorado native with several years of experience in family practice, caring for newborns through geriatrics. He obtained his Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. When he is not in the office he likes to spend time with his wife, Sarah, and their two young daughters, Nola and Varenna.

Dear Patients, 

After 35 years as a family doctor, 30 of which were dedicated to Highlands Family Medicine, Dr. Bednarek will be retiring in March. We are incredibly grateful for his dedication and compassion to both his patients and the staff, and while we are excited to see him explore more of life outside of medicine he will certainly be missed. Lauren Kolfenbach, PA-C and Dr. Lukas McWhorter will also be transitioning away from HFM in February and March, respectively. They have also been part of the HFM family for many years and have worked diligently to listen to and care for their patients. While they will be missed, we are excited that they will continue to serve the Denver area at a new location starting in late spring or early summer. For details, please check with the front desk, on our website, or ask those providers directly during a visit or through the portal. We recognize that this transition means change but we wish to reassure you that your healthcare remains a priority for us here at Highlands Family Medicine. We are taking steps to bring in more providers but as it often is, it will take some time. More information to follow! Please call us with any questions or concerns, and know we have providers and staff who continue to work diligently and with care to meet your medical needs. 

 

Sincerely, 

Your partners in health at Highlands Family Medicine