Clinic History
Dr. Alyene Reese
Co-Founder
Sue Ellen Riddle
Co-Founder
Our Mission
The Clinic, whose mission is to provide accessible, affordable, quality healthcare for the uninsured of Sevier County was founded to reflect the life and Biblical teachings of Jesus Christ. The providers at Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic treat patients in need of primary medical care, dental care and behavioral care. Another vitally important service provided by Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic is the medication assistance program, providing access to affordable medications for chronic diseases. Patients are charged based on a sliding fee using the Federal Poverty Level for services provided and no one is refused care if unable to pay.
Our Beginnings
In early 1999, Dr. Alyene Reese, retired pediatrician, and her best friend Sue Ellen Riddle, retired social worker, borrowed five rooms in a local church youth building, assembled an all-volunteer staff and started Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic. After 24 years of serving Sevier County’s uninsured, the Clinic has served over 31,000 patients of record, occupies a modern facility in the middle of Sevierville on land leased for $1.00 per year from the Sevier County School System. The building itself was built by an anonymous benefactor after recruiting many vendors. Many local civic organizations, churches, and individuals also donated funds and their services for space expansion and building updates.
We are here for Sevier County
Dr. Reese’s vision for affordable healthcare for Sevier County citizens was right on target. Since tourism is a driving force of the Sevier County economy, many citizens work in seasonal, service industry jobs which do not provide health insurance benefits. The number of people in need of our services grows each year and with the continuing rise in the cost of health insurance, more people join the ranks of the uninsured.
The Heart of the Clinic: Staff and Volunteers
Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic operates with both employed staff and a dedicated group of volunteers. Our primary care team consists of Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Registered Nurses, Certified Medical Assistants, and Medical Interpreter. Our Medical Director, Dr. Richard Dew, has been a dedicated volunteer since 2003. Also embedded in our primary care team is Licensed Clinical Social Workers and a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Our dental team includes Dr.Jeff Collart, a dental assistant and a dental hygienist. Supporting patient services includes Director of Operations, Medication Assistance Coordinator, Medical Receptionists, Referral Coordinator, Community Health Workers and Director of Community Services and Quality. Additional administrative staff includes our Executive Director and Marketing and Resource Development Coordinator. A committed group of nursing and support staff volunteers give their time and skills to serve patients at the Clinic. Several provider volunteers have served Clinic patients for many years, Dr. Robert Valosik and Richard Henighan, FNP. Our Board of Directors are a dedicated group of volunteers providing governance and vision as we carry out the mission of Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic. Many people in Sevier County make the Clinic the warm and caring place that it is. Many businesses, local governments, civic groups, churches, and individuals take ownership by contributing funds, supplies, sponsoring fund raising events and spreading the word about the work that we do.
Investing in Tomorrow's Healthcare Workers
Medical and nursing students from different universities rotate through the Clinic. These students come from East Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee, Carson-Newman University, Walter State Community College, and Lincoln Memorial University. The partnership with East Tennessee State University gives medical, nursing, social work, and public health students educational opportunities in rural community environments.
ETSU Quillen College of Medicine Residents rotation throughout the year are a made available for those seeking a rural outpatient experience. This has resulted in Physicians making future decisions to work as primary care providers in rural communities.
ETSU Students are pictured above. The left was from the Health Fair June 2021 and the right is from a day that they were in the Clinic to help with calling patients for their Covid testing result.
Community Support
Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, Inc. is a non-profit community healthcare facility. The Clinic depends on funding from many areas, including patient fees needed to operate the Clinic. The Sevier County government and the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville have made contractual agreements with the Clinic to provide annual monies for operational support in return for providing healthcare services for their residents. The Sevier County School Board gives the Clinic funds on an annual basis to support services for school aged children. Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic values partnerships with other community service organizations focused on the health and well-being of those working and living in Sevier County. Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic is a community partner with the United Way of Sevier County. The local religious community and civic organizations have embraced the Clinic’s efforts. Several churches and Sunday school classes provide frequent and consistent donations towards operational expenses. Individuals also support the Clinic with their generosity shown as in-kind services, volunteering, or donating money. The Resource Development Committee holds annual special events, and the clinic leadership pursues grant opportunities, direct mail solicitations, planned giving, and endowments. Annual audits are performed each year by an independent accounting firm.
English 
Spanish