Clinic History

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Dr. Alyene Reese

Co-Founder

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Sue Ellen Riddle

Co-Founder

Our Mission

The Clinic, whose mission is to provide accessible, affordable, quality healthcare for the medically uninsured of Sevier County was founded to reflect the life and Biblical teachings of Jesus Christ. The providers at Mountain Hope treat patients in need of primary medical care, dental care and behavioral care.  Another vitally important service provided by Mountain Hope Clinic is the medication assistance program, providing access to affordable medications for chronic diseases. Patients are charged affordable base fees for services 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 22 years of serving Sevier County’s medically uninsured, the Clinic has served over 28,000 patients of record, occupies a modern 10,425 square foot 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 expansions 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. 

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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 medical team consists of Nurse Practitioners, Physicians Assistant, Registered Nurses, Certified Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, and Medical Interpreter. 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 Receptionist, referral coordinator, 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, Richard Henighan, FNP and Dr.Roger Riedel, Cardiologist. 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, and public health students educational opportunities in a rural community environments and provides Mountain Hope Clinic with “providers in training” to assist with patient care.

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 values partnerships with other community service organizations focused on the health and well being of those working and living in Sevier County. Mountain Hope Clinic is a community partner with the United Way of Sevier County. The local religious community and civic organizations have embraced Mountain Hope’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 Marketing and Development Coordinator pursues grant opportunities, direct mail solicitations, planned giving, and endowments. Annual audits are performed each year by an independent accounting firm.