Providers

Dr. Wendy Lee, MD, founder of Carolina Rheumatology and Neurology Associates, was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and was delivered by her father who was chief resident in OBGYN at the time. She grew up in Taichung, Taiwan and emigrated to California before starting high school. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in biochemistry and earned her MD degree from the University of the East College of Medicine, in the Philippines.

Dr. Lee returned to the states for her residency in internal medicine at Brown University College of Medicine in Providence, RI, where she also completed her fellowship in rheumatology. She was inspired to become a rheumatologist while in her first year internship. She was caring for a patient in a nursing home who was bed bound due to severe musculoskeletal deformities.

She moved to Myrtle Beach in 1997 and worked in a multi-specialty group before branching out on her own and establishing Carolina Rheumatology in 2000, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025.

Dr. Lee’s philosophy of care is to treat patients as she would like to be treated as a patient. Her goal is to obtain remission and prevent musculoskeletal and organ damage.

Dr. Frank Benz, MD, born in Providence, RI, took a rather circuitous route into medicine. He excelled in the sciences in high school but decided to major in Business Management at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

After stints working in a DC law firm and then sales engineering positions in Boston and Providence, he decided to return to the sciences. He earned his MD degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA and completed his residency in neurology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC, where he was chief resident of neurology in his 4th year.

He joined the practice in 2004, which prompted the name change to Carolina Rheumatology and Neurology Associates. He spent several years in both in patient and out patient general neurology. In 2024, he became affiliated part time with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, treated migraine patients at the Dartmouth Headache Clinic. He is now focusing his practice on the treatment of migraine and headache disorders.

Dr. Twining had a lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. He first attended the Indiana University School of Medicine. Following graduation, he completed an externship at the Henry County Hospital emergency room in New Castle, IN. He then completed an internship at the Keesler Medical Center in Biloxi, MS. While in residency, he discovered that rheumatology inspired him. He served as a medical officer in the US Navy where he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for services rendered as a medical officer onboard the USS Dubuque.

He joined the practice in 2005. He enjoys using his knowledge of medicine, immunology, and rheumatology to help his patients understand their disease as well as treatment options to improve their quality of life. Dr. Twining’s philosophy of care is to view the provider-patient relationship as a partnership. When working together, he learns from the patient as well as helping the patient learn from him. Together they can arrive at a plan that the patient is comfortable with and that is targeted to their individual needs.

Kristin grew up in Springfield, Illinois. She moved to Myrtle Beach and attended Coastal Carolina University, graduating in 2005. Then, she went on to attend medical school at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine at he Georgia campus in Suwanee, GA. After graduation, she went on to complete her internal medicine residency at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, TN. In 2014, she completed her rheumatology fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA. She started practicing at Carolina Rheumatology and Neurology Associates in August 2014. She is board certified in rheumatology and internal medicine.

Amanda was born and raised in Charleston, SC. In 2007, she graduated from the College of Charleston where she earned her bachelor’s in biology with a minor in dance. She worked in a rheumatology practice as a medical assistant before applying to the nursing program at Trident Technical College. In 2011, she graduated with an associate’s in nursing. Following completion of her nursing program, she took a position as a rheumatology infusion nurse.

After four years of working as a registered nurse, Amanda wanted to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. She earned her bachelor’s in nursing at the Mary Black School of Nursing at the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2016. In 2017, she was accepted into the nurse practitioner program at the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed her doctorate of nursing in adult and geriatric primary care in 2020. She then worked as a rheumatology nurse practitioner for 3 years before moving to Myrtle Beach.

In May 2024, she joined Carolina Rheumatology and Neurology Associates as a board-certified adult and geriatric nurse practitioner. She is a member of the Rheumatology Nurses Society (RNS), Infusion Nurses Society (INS), Associated of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP), Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Women in Rheumatology (AWIR), and Sigma Theta Tau National Nursing Honor Society.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Brandon, and 2 children, Stella and Gage, along with her 3 dogs. She is very thankful for the hard work and dedication of her medical assistant, Jessica Wansha.

Sarah Exum Ryan, PA-C, is a dedicated and compassionate Physician Assistant specializing in Rheumatology. Born and raised in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, she developed an early appreciation for community and the importance of personalized care.

Sarah earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Psychology. Driven by a passion for understanding complex biological systems and improving patient outcomes, she continued her education at Charleston Southern University, where she earned a Master of Science in Biology.

Her commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centered care led her to pursue a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies, also at Charleston Southern University. With a strong foundation in both the biological sciences and psychological principles, she brings a holistic approach to managing chronic rheumatologic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and osteoarthritis.

Sarah joined Carolina Rheumatology and Neurology in March 2025. She is also an active member of the South Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (SCAPA), the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), the Association of Women in Rheumatology (AWIR), and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Through these affiliations, she stays engaged with the latest advancements in rheumatologic care and remains committed to lifelong learning and professional development.

As a Rheumatology PA, she is passionate about helping patients navigate the challenges of autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases through evidence-based care, patient education, and long-term disease management. She values building lasting relationships with her patients and empowering them to take an active role in their health.