163 Benefit from Free Physicals Event

by EventsNewsworthy

Two days of intense activity last week at Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic resulted in 163 Sevier County residents and employees undergoing thorough medical examinations at no cost to themselves.

The free physicals are part of the health fair held at the Clinic twice a year. All 163 patients have no health insurance, so this service comes at considerable savings to them.

Once again, students from East Tennessee State University’s James H. Quillen College of Medicine, supervised by their preceptors, made the fair possible. They gain experience while our patients benefit from their participation. Our thanks go to the ETSU staff, volunteers and students who took part.

While many of those who participated are already our patient roll, those who were not already enrolled with us have automatically become patients who can now bring their health concerns to us whenever they choose.

Sevier County Health Department staff provided invaluable immunizations and health information as needed. Local businesses helped out by providing food and lodging for ETSU staff, students and Clinic staff and volunteers. LeConte Medical Center, Tennessee State Bank and Cici’s Pizza donated food for lunches; Camp’s Chicken loaned a grill for hot dogs. Holiday Inn Express of Sevierville provided accommodation for ETSU staff.

We appreciate and thank all who took part, especially to the Clinic staff and volunteers who always rise to the occasion on these busy, sometimes stressful days, providing not just medical expertise but also clerical and practical support.

The non-profit Mountain Hope Clinic has provided free physicals at health fairs twice a year for many years now. Our partnership with ETSU and local businesses and volunteers keep this worthwhile program running, each year serving hundreds of patients who lack health insurance. Thank you, Sevier County!

L-R: Mary Vance, George Hawkins, Deborah Murph, Andrew Farmer, Todd Proffitt, Jeff Taylor, Sue Ellen Riddle, Dr. Jack Parton, Eric Horner, Mayor Mike Werner, Dale Carr, Bryan McCarter, Karen King

Mountain Hope Welcomes New Era

by EventsNewsworthyUpcoming Events

Cold weather did not deter a warm-hearted crowd who saw a new era in the making Nov. 8 for Sevier County’s medically underserved.

At the groundbreaking for the expansion of Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic’s Prince Street building Nov. 8, there was plenty of warmth about the Clinic’s past work and future prospects.

Expanding the Clinic will mean more patient consulting rooms, space for special programs and more patients served, in addition to the 26,000-plus people who have already come through the doors.

Everyone who turned up deserves our thanks for braving the cold, especially the speakers. They included Robin Reagan, the Clinic’s board chair; Mary Vance, former executive director; current Executive Director Deborah Murph, and  Daryl Roberts of Tennessee State Bank, who announced a $50,000 donation from the bank toward the building extension;

State Reps. Andy Farmer and Dale Carr read from a state resolution praising the Clinic’s 20 years of service. Dr. Jack Parton of Sevier County School System and Assistant County Mayor Bryan McCarter also spoke in support of the extension. Scotty Henry of  Richardson’s Cove Baptist Church and the Rev. Don Grady, formerly of Sevierville Presbyterian Church, gave the opening and closing prayers.

The crowd then retired indoors where Collier Restaurant Group and Cici’s Pizza provided refreshments. Sevier County Utility District donated water and loaned tents; Sevier County Library System loaned a podium and allowed overflow parking behind the library. Woods Hippensteal framed the two resolutions, one for the Clinic and one for co-founder Sue Ellen Riddle.

We appreciate our former and present volunteers and other well-wishers who were undeterred by the cold, as well as Seagle Landscaping Supplies, Susan Austin and her students from East Tennessee State University, and four Seymour High School students who prior to the ceremony ensured that the grounds looked their best.

The main beneficiaries of the building expansion will be Mountain Hope’s patients, none of whom have health insurance. Quality medical and dental care would be unaffordable to thousands of low-income Sevier County residents and workers were it not for the non-profit Mountain Hope.

The Clinic is blessed to be part of such a caring community.

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

Groundbreaking Nov. 8

by EventsNewsworthy

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.”

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When darkness overspreads my eyes

by Uncategorized

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

demo-attachment-669-432924-PE8C6I-858

When, while lovely valley teems with vapour

by Uncategorized

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.