Dr. Richard Bock, MD
Founder, Asheville Vein Center · Board-Certified Vascular Surgeon
Dr. Richard Bock, MD is board-certified in Vascular Surgery by the American Board of Surgery and has been at the forefront of vein disease treatment for more than three decades. He and Dr. Danielle Fontenot are the region’s only board-certified vascular surgeons dedicating 100% of their practice to vein disease, bringing a level of focus and expertise that simply isn’t available elsewhere in Western North Carolina.
Education & Training
Dr. Bock completed both his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Virginia. He went on to complete a full six-year general surgery residency — serving as Chief Resident in 1993 — followed by a two-year fellowship in vascular surgery at UCLA, where he also held a faculty position and conducted vascular research.
A Career Defined by Firsts
After joining Asheville’s medical community in 1995, Dr. Bock founded Mission Health’s vascular program. In 1998, he became the first physician in the United States to perform an FDA-approved endovascular AAA repair — a landmark moment in vascular medicine. One year later, he became the founding director of the Mission Health Vascular Center.
In March 2016, Dr. Bock was published in the New England Journal of Medicine as first author of its lead article — one of medicine’s most prestigious publications.
Dr. Bock returned to Asheville in 2019 to found Asheville Vein Center.
- First U.S. physician to perform FDA-approved endovascular AAA repair (1998)
- First author, lead article, New England Journal of Medicine (March 2016)
- Founding director, Mission Health Vascular Center
- 30+ years of vascular surgery experience
- Founder, Asheville Vein Center — 100% dedicated to vein disease
- Multiple research papers published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery
- Authored multiple vascular surgery textbook chapters
- Pioneered and published the modern, generally accepted protocol for treating hemorrhage from varicose veins
- Dr. Bock teaches physicians nationwide in performance of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and other procedures, both live and in webinars
Professional Memberships
American Board of Surgery — Board Certification in Vascular Surgery
American Venous and Lymphatic Society
American Venous Forum
A Bit More About Dr. Bock
Dr. Bock is an avid trail runner and half marathon participant. He and his wife of 36 years, Jennifer, live nearby with their Golden Retriever, Tassie. Sons Carson and Spencer now live in Pittsburgh and Chapel Hill respectively.
Schedule with Dr. Bock
No physician referral is needed. Call 828-210-7990 or request an appointment online.
Asheville Vein Center
Western NC's Only Board-Certified Vein Specialists
Dr. Bock and Dr. Fontenot treat the full spectrum of vein disease — from cosmetic spider veins to complex venous ulcers. 1091 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803 · 828-210-7990.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Bock
No referral needed. Call 828-210-7990 or request an appointment online.