Groundbreaking at Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, Nov. 8, 2019

Groundbreaking Nov. 8

Groundbreaking set at Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a groundbreaking for an expansion to its building.

Golden shovels go into the ground at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8 at the Clinic, 312 Prince Street in Sevierville. The public is invited for the ceremony and a tour of the existing building.

“Expanding our building is a wonderful and practical way to celebrate our 20th anniversary,” said Executive Director Deborah Murph.

Since the first patient walked into borrowed rooms at the Pigeon Forge Church of God’s youth building in February of 1999, Mountain Hope has served more than 26,000 uninsured and residents and workers of Sevier County with quality medical, dental, and limited behavioral care.

Demand for services has exceeded the supply at the Clinic. New construction will add 2,400 square feet of space to the present 5,625-square-foot building.  Having more exam rooms will make the Clinic more efficient so providers can see more patients. In addition, there will be training space for the many college and university students who currently train at Mountain Hope, including those from James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University.

Local legislators and city and county leaders have been invited to the Nov. 8 celebration, as have representatives of local businesses and organizations that have supported and worked closely with the Clinic over the years. Attendees are invited to stay for tours of the Clinic until about 12:30 p.m. Parking is available at the nearby at King Family Library or at the Sevierville city complex.

Mary Vance, the Clinic’s former executive director began planning the additional rooms several years ago. “We were on a roll until the fires,” she said. “Rebuilding the community took priority at that point, but enlarging the Clinic building is now back on track.”

Jackie Burk 5k 2019

Clinic Volunteer, 78, Finishes the Heroes for Hope 5k to cheers and applause.

A long-time Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic volunteer finished the Healthy Balance Meals Heroes for Hope 5k on Saturday, September 21, 2019 to the applause of other runners and friends. At 78, Jackie Burk is a wonderful example of supporting a cause she loves and is an absolute inspiration to us all. #lifegoals #5kat78 #runtherace
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The Power of a Smile Changes Lives

Smiles are powerful things—they can signal friendliness or reflect happiness, and they often correspond to how we are treated when we walk into a room. Simply put, people are treated differently when they smile—and when they don’t.

Governor Bill Lee, in conjunction with the Tennessee Charitable Care Network, has proclaimed  June 10-14, 2019, Tennessee Oral Health Smile Power Week. Smile Power Week was created to
promote healthy smiles across Tennessee during National Smile Month, but many Tennesseans
aren’t smiling.

They struggle to find care they can afford, which leads to poor oral health and, as a result, trouble with relationships, trouble finding work, and a lower standard of living overall. According to research by the American Dental Association, 45% of low-income adults say they avoid smiling, and 68% of them sometimes find life in general less satisfying due to the condition of their mouths and teeth. So the question becomes, where can they find help?

Tennessee has been nicknamed the volunteer state since the War of 1812 when patriotic Tennesseans helped turn the tide at the Battle of New Orleans. In that same spirit of volunteerism, charitable dental clinics across the state go to work every day helping people who can’t help themselves. They fill some of the gaps caused by a lack of Medicaid dental coverage, and they restore Tennessee smiles to make for a healthier, happier work force.

For the last two years, the state legislature has funded the Tennessee Dental Safety Net. Championed first by the late Representative Charles Sargent, the safety net provides funds to subsidize part of the cost of dentures and partials for low-income Tennesseans. These funds are administered at no cost by Delta Dental of Tennessee’s Smile180 Foundation, and charitable dental clinics across the state use them to restore healthy smiles to individuals who qualify.

Seeing a patient who has struggled with their oral health turn around 180 degrees to a beautiful new smile is extremely rewarding. They can eat better, so their overall health is better, and a great smile shows confidence and gives the patient job prospects they might not have had before. Tennessee’s charitable dental clinics are on the front lines making a difference every day, and they, too, need our help. They need help from local volunteers to staff the clinics, and they especially need dental professionals to volunteer their expertise so that they can keep
creating smile success stories in our state.

State Representative Bob Ramsey, D.D.S.
Chair of the House Public Service and Employees Committee

frosty

Tru’s Frosty Tribute

Tru by Hilton Pigeon Forge’s Frosty the Snowman inflatable was vandalized on Friday 11/23/18.   The team at Tru ordered a new Frosty immediately. However, due to the overwhelming public response and concern, they thought the incident would be a great opportunity to turn the tragedy into a triumph of goodwill! They solicited donations in Frosty’s remembrance to Mountain Hope and raised $1,000 to help those who live and work in Sevier County but have no medical insurance. What a wonderful Christmas gift from the Tru team!  We at Mountain Hope are grateful!

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Mary Vance Announces Retirement; Search for Executive Director Underway

The Board of Directors of Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic is launching a search for the organization’s next executive director to succeed outgoing Executive Director, Mary B. Vance.  Vance is retiring in December after more than 21 years with the organization.

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic offers affordable medical and dental insurance for the medically uninsured of Sevier County and currently serves more than 23,000 patients of record.  The Clinic partners with more than a dozen colleges and universities nationwide, as well as other area nonprofits dedicated to providing essential services for the people of Sevier County, Tennessee.  Mountain Hope is funded by nominal patient fees, individual donations, grants, and private giving.

Vance, who holds a Master of Science Degree in Community Health Administration and Wellness Promotion from California College for Health Sciences, and who attended graduate school at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, formally announced her retirement date to the Board in 2016. She has served on countless local, regional, and state health organization boards.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Mary from the time that the Clinic was just a notion.  I have learned so much from her leadership and expertise and I will greatly miss her,” says Board President Robin Reagan.

Clinic founder Sue Ellen Riddle, says of Vance, “Mary has been with us from the beginning and has held firm to co-founder Dr. Alyene Reese’s belief that the Lord himself provides for and values our patients as individuals who deserve quality care and fair treatment; the Clinic is a medium through which God blesses them.”  She continues, “The Clinic has poured out mercy, grace, and goodness on so many and Mary has remained faithful to that commitment in her time at Mountain Hope.  It is a legacy her successor should absolutely understand, along with the need for loyalty to the community, all those who support us, and the Lord, to ensure that legacy will continue long after she is gone.  These are the things Mary stands for, along with the fact that she’s an exceptional administrator, and she will be a very hard act to follow.”

Mary’s dedication to the Clinic is always apparent, “It is with mixed emotions that I will be leaving my ‘life’ with Mountain Hope,” she says, “but my time has come to slow down and I plan to resume my artwork and other activities that I enjoyed so many years ago. I have loved every minute spent with this incredible organization and witnessed countless miracles while being surrounded by selfless servant employees, volunteers, and friends of the Clinic whose mission has always been to help others. I want to personally thank everyone who has invested support in Mountain Hope through the years.  I truly believe the Clinic to be Community-owned and sincerely hope that all those who have will continue to support its mission.”

The organization’s search committee is composed of several Board Members and will be facilitated by Alliance for Better Nonprofits. Those interested in the Executive Director position should contact Elle Benson at ebenson@betternonprofits.org and may review the posting at www.betternonprofits.org for more information about the job and application process.