Mountain People’s Health Councils, Inc. (MPHC) was incorporated in September of 1973, bringing together three communities in Tennessee that hosted Vanderbilt Student Health Coalition (SHC) health fairs, organized and incorporated local health councils, and opened health clinics. The three communities were Norma (Scott County), Petros (Morgan County), and Stoney Fork (Campbell County).
The clinics started seeing patients in 1974, with a full-time nurse practitioner at each clinic and a circuit-riding physician. The first physician was Rick Davidson, who volunteered with the SHC when he was a medical student. Other SHC volunteers who worked at MPHC over the years were Bill Dow, Wanda Lang, Bob Hartmann, and Trish Woodall. MPHC received support from the National Health Service Corps, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, also known as Rural Health Initiatives, along with small foundation grants.
Forty-six years later, Mountain People’s is alive and well. It was not always smooth sailing. The clinics in Petros and Stoney Fork have closed, and the Norma clinic was closed for a period of time. Today MPHC is based entirely in Scott County, with five clinics that provide a comprehensive range of services, including dental and mental health. The five locations are Norma, Elgin, Huntsville, Oneida, and Winfield. Mountain People’s now serves over 50 percent of the population in Scott County. In 2018, MPHC was named as one of the Top Ten federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the nation in terms of their quality of care scores.
This section of the SHC website tells the story of Mountain People’s Health Councils, Inc. from the health fairs in the 1970s to the creation of MPHC to the success that this SHC legacy is today. There is a section for each of the original clinics in Norma, Petros, and Stoney Fork. A brief history of each clinic is combined with links to health fair documents and photos from the Center for Health Services (CHS) at Vanderbilt, incorporation documents for each clinic, interviews with board members and clinicians, and photos from various collections in the Southern Historical Collection archives at UNC-Chapel Hill. The individual stories of Norma, Petros, and Stoney Fork are followed by a section about Mountain People’s today, including information about their locations and services, sources of funding, and performance as a FQHC. Interviews with the current CEO and MPHC Board of Directors are included. The final section is Lessons Learned. Various participants in the Mountain People’s story will share their perspectives about the challenges and successes that made MPHC an enduring legacy of the Student Health Coalition.
Related Content:
Key players in the health fair and early days of the clinic in Petros, Tenn.
Caryl Carpenter, Rick Davidson, and Irwin Venick meet with Kate and J.W. Bradley to discuss the Petros health fair and community clinic. They list several of the early players involved with both, including Wanda and Gary Lang, Bob Hartmann, John… Continued
Progression of black lung care toward government-funded clinics, 1973
John Kennedy describes monumental developments in black lung care during the summer of 1973, primarily as it pertains to the establishment of state and federally funded clinics. He details the complex effort in acquiring these funds, including the role key… Continued
Memories from the mountains
Tom John and Rick Davidson share some of their most memorable moments and takeaways from their time spent in Appalachia with the Student Health Coalition. Full footage of the 2013 interview with Tom John and Rick Davidson. Continued
Richard Davidson Photograph Collection, Southern Historical Collection, UNC Chapel Hill
Richard Davidson (1947-), a medical physician and educator, was among the founding participants of the Vanderbilt Student Health Coalition at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. (1970-1971) and the Mountain People’s Health Council in eastern Tennesee (1975-1976). The Student Health Coalition… Continued
Article: “Health Care for those off the beaten path,” from the Tennessee Valley Authority
Kollar, Robert. “Health care for those off the beaten path.” Tennessee Valley Authority, post-1975. View PDF. More on the Tennessee Valley Authority: Continued
Formation of Mountain Peoples Health Council (MPHC)
Kate and J.W. Bradley ponder who first suggested Petros, Stoney Fork, and Norma band together to form the Mountain Peoples Health Council (MPHC), why, and how it was made possible–in large part thanks to Rick Davidson’s role as the first… Continued
Notes from the road: Mountain People’s Health Councils
[Story contributed by Caryl Carpenter] On October 23rd, 2017, a doctor, a lawyer, an archivist, and an old lady started out to make history, or more accurately, to record history – the history of Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC) in… Continued
Tom John and Rick Davidson on their ongoing connections with community members
Tom John and Rick Davidson share the depth of their many relationships born from their respective Student Health Coalition experiences, and the long-term impact said connections have had. Full footage of the 2013 interview with Tom John and Rick… Continued
Sally Kimberly on the professional development of nurses with MPHC
Sally Kimberly describes what became an essential element to her and other nurses’ weekly routines while working in Scott County: self-directed educational sessions committed to their professional development. She explains that these weekly meetings were both a professional and social support system… Continued
Pat Kalmans
Pat, while never officially part of the student workforce in SHC, was a major player in the early work of SOCM and ETRC. She primarily worked on setting up and finding resources, including funding, for the Mountain People’s Health Clinics… Continued
Caryl Carpenter talks about the origins of the Tennessee Primary Care Association
Caryl Carpenter, former administrator of the Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC) of East Tennessee, talks about formation of the Tennessee Primary Care Association. Recorded on May 17, 2017, as a part of a panel discussion at a reunion of the… Continued
James Lovett
James Lovett first encountered the Student Health Coalition as a young patient at the 1970 or 1971 health fair in Norma, Tenn. In this clip of an interview with Caryl Carpenter and Rick Davidson, learn directly from Lovett about his… Continued
The role of themes and tendrils in packaging the Coalition narrative
John Davis reflects on the process of being involved in the archive project, noting the joy of collectively rediscovering the Coalition narrative and the challenge of packaging it according to over-arching themes and other common threads. Biff Hollingsworth adds that,… Continued
“We had to work with one hand and fight with the other”
Kate Bradley narrates the process by which Mountain Peoples Health Council (MPHC) acquired land to build the Petros Clinic. She describes the stiff political atmosphere in Nashville, where she went to plead her case before a judge, and explains why… Continued
Caryl Carpenter discusses the challenges with the structure of Mountain People’s Health Councils
Caryl Carpenter, former administrator of the Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC) of East Tennessee, talks about challenges in the structure of MPHC, which was founded in 1974 as a coalition of three rural health clinics in Norma (Scott County), Petros… Continued
Tom John on the origin of his participation with the SHC and its community-oriented focus
Tom John reflects on how he first got involved with the Coalition, the multi-dimensional impact his SHC involvement had on him, and sets the student-led organization apart from others at the time as he details its community-oriented approach to rural… Continued
On John Kennedy’s management of UMW’s Black Lung Treatment Programs, Kentucky and Tennessee
John Kennedy describes the evolution of his career and transition to Washington in 1974. Upon suggestion from Eula Hall, Director of the Mud Creek Clinic, and with an official offer from Tom Ludwig, the union rep responsible for occupational health… Continued
Bob Hartmann on Appalachian culture and rural healthcare
Bob Hartmann shares a story about one of his patients while working with Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC) in Norma, Tenn. The narrative speaks to the influence of Appalachian culture on rural healthcare and community medicine. Full footage of… Continued
On the Petros Health Council’s response to altercation with Dr. Chester Caster
Kate Bradley discusses the local Petros Health Council’s response to an altercation with the clinic’s doctor, Chester Caster. He tirelessly incited clinic opposition among community members and rallied to take over, but Kate’s determination to protect the clinic was stalwart.… Continued
James Lovett’s childhood experience at the Norma Health Fair
James Lovett, CEO of Mountain People’s Health Councils, Inc., shares the humorous tale of his experience as a 7 or 8-year-old patient at the Norma Health Fair. See the full length interview to learn more about James Lovett’s legacy with… Continued
Student Health Coalition Project Collection, Southern Historical Collection, UNC Chapel Hill
Link to the Collection Finding Aid in the Southern Historical Collection, UNC Chapel Hill: https://finding-aids.lib.unc.edu/05649/ This collection includes materials documenting the work of the Student Health Coalition, an organization developed at Vanderbilt University in 1969 to reach out to medically underserved… Continued
On the sense of community
Kaye Bultemeier, Janie Hiserote, and Chuck Darling reflect on the sense of community among residents of Petros, Stoney Fork, and Norma, Tennessee, and make note of changes in the region over time. Kaye says, “You could be a little bit… Continued
Sally Kimberly’s take on patient education in rural healthcare
Sally Kimberly discusses clinical challenges during her time as a nurse practitioner with Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC) in Norma, Tenn., focusing specifically on the indispensable role of patient education in effective rural healthcare. Full footage of Sally Kimberly’s interview with Rick Davidson. Continued
Bill Dow
Bill Dow co-founded the Student Health Coalition while in medical school at Vanderbilt University, in 1969. His larger-than-life role in the SHC origin story and beyond warrants special telling, which we attempt in the essay that follows. Contributed by Margaret… Continued
Caryl Carpenter on community leader Odes McKamey
Caryl Carpenter, former administrator of the Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC) of East Tennessee, shares a story about community leader Odes McKamey of Stoney Fork, Tenn. MPHC was founded in 1974 as a coalition of three rural health clinics in… Continued
On the Bradley’s motivation to organize a community clinic in Petros, Tenn.
Kate Bradley frames the initiative to organize a local health council and community clinic as a direct response to the Petros health fair’s preliminary identification of needs. She details early fundraising efforts, including Pat Kalmans’ key role in securing grant… Continued
Bob Hartmann
Contributed by Bob Hartmann, February 2017 Rick Davidson has been badgering me for over a year to write a profile. Somehow he enlisted my wife, Mel Welsh, and now she is badgering me! As I read the profiles on the… Continued
Caryl Carpenter Papers on Mountain People’s Health Councils, East Tennessee clinics, and Student Health Coalition Photographs, Southern Historical Collection, UNC Chapel Hill
Caryl Carpenter participated in the Rural Student Health Coalition in the mid to late 1970s. She worked with the Mountain People’s Health Council (MPHC) and East Tennessee clinics, and documented activities related to the SHC in the 1970s. Images depict activities… Continued
Caryl Carpenter talks about her experiences with Mountain People’s Health Councils
Caryl Carpenter, former administrator of the Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC) of East Tennessee, talks about her experiences with MPHC, which was founded in 1974 as a coalition of three rural health clinics in Norma (Scott County), Petros (Morgan County)… Continued
On closing the Petros Clinic
Kate and J.W. Bradley share about their decision to close the Petros Clinic amidst ongoing, relentless threats from Dr. Chester Caster and the community. Follow this link for access to the full-length interview. Recorded October 2017 in Wartburg, Tenn. Continued
Sally Kimberly on MPHC community boards
Sally Kimberly discusses the challenges of collaborating with community boards on the frontier of a practice largely unfamiliar in Appalachia at the time—community-driven, rural healthcare. Unique to her and other nurse practitioners’ experience was a widespread misunderstanding about their role. Reminiscing about these hurdles, Sally shares what it was like to be… Continued
Bob Hartmann on the importance of defining health beyond the physical
Bob Hartmann explains how his and many others’ formative experience in rural healthcare and community medicine with the Center for Health Services (CHS), Student Health Coalition (SHC), and Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC)—both as students and young professionals—left a lasting… Continued
The Bradleys move to Wartburg, Tenn.
Caryl Carpenter describes Kate Bradley’s fierce commitment to making Petros a better place, naming several other community initiatives beyond the clinic. Kate, however, shares that she feels they failed and explains their decision to leave for Wartburg, Tenn. in 1993.… Continued
The Legacy of the Norma (Tenn.) Health Clinic
Contributed by Caryl Carpenter, November 2022. Norma, Tenn. is one of the original three communities that came together to form Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC). Norma is in the southern part of Scott County, Tenn., a county that was once… Continued
More on local opposition to the Petros Clinic
Kate Bradley expands on the issues she explains are often characteristic of small, rural communities and how such things as ignorance and jealousy impeded their efforts to build a community clinic in Petros, Tenn. She describes a few specific examples… Continued
Kate Bradley on a problematic provider’s attempt to take over the clinic in Petros
Kate Bradley describes the internal conflict that arose with the doctor, Chester Caster, who came to Petros after Rick Davidson. He rallied for clinic opposition among community members and made irate threats against her in what was a futile (albeit… Continued
Sally Kimberly and Rick Davidson on the generosity of local surgeons
Sally Kimberly and Rick Davidson discuss the life-saving assistance from local Scott County surgeons who offered to take free-of-cost patients in need of additional care. Sally describes the deal between her and Chuck Darling and Rick comments on Dave Stanley’s commitment to surgical patients in Oak Ridge. Full footage of… Continued
On the Petros Clinic’s connection to Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary
Kate Bradley briefly discusses the Petros Clinic’s connection to Brushy Mountain Prison and recalls her memory of James Earl Ray’s escape. Follow this link for access to the full-length interview. Recorded October 2017 in Wartburg, Tenn. Continued
Richard Davidson
Richard Davidson was born in West Palm Beach, Fla. in 1947. He attended Vanderbilt undergraduate and medical schools, and did a residency in internal medicine there as well. During the summer of his second year in medical school (1970) he… Continued
Bob Hartmann on community medicine in Stoney Fork, TN
Bob Hartmann shares an inside look at the culture and people of Stoney Fork, Tenn., a fascinating anecdote which captures the realities of rural healthcare and community medicine. Full footage of Bob Hartmann’s interview with Rick Davidson. Continued
Post-health fair formation of community councils and the origins of MPHC in Tennessee
As part of the Student Health Coalition Archive Project, Caryl Carpenter and Rick Davidson meet with James Lovett, CEO of Mountain People’s Health Councils, Inc. Their primary objective is to collect a firsthand account from Lovett and in so doing,… Continued
Sally Kimberly’s first observations of rural community healthcare with MPHC
Sally Kimberly discusses her preparation for practice and early experiences with Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC) at the clinic in Norma, Tenn. Full footage of Sally Kimberly’s interview with Rick Davidson. Continued
Bob Hartmann on the National Health Service Corps and its role in his development as a young doctor
Bob Hartmann shares about his return to Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC) after graduating from Vanderbilt medical school and explains the role of the National Health Service Corps in his education and early professional development. Full footage of Bob… Continued
Rick Davidson on connecting with local communities through music
Richard Davidson M.D., M.P.H., talks about how music allowed him to connect with members of the communities he served as the first physician for Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC), a consortium of health clinics originally formed by the communities of… Continued
Rick Davidson talks about a local healer in the Stoney Fork community
Richard Davidson M.D., M.P.H., recalls his interactions with a local healer in the community of Stoney Fork, Tenn., while serving as the first physician for Mountain People’s Health Councils (MPHC), a consortium of health clinics originally formed by the communities… Continued
Reflections on the level of care at SHC health fairs
Tom John and Rick Davidson retrospectively comment on the level and quality of care provided at the Student Health Coalition summer health fairs, and how theses experiences shaped their own understanding of and perspective on healthcare. Full footage of… Continued
Overcoming adversity from Morgan County
Kate and J.W. Bradley discuss the Morgan County Health Council, from its formation around the same time as the Coalition’s health fair in Petros, Tenn. to the challenges Morgan County officials created for the clinic. These hurdles were in no… Continued
Bob Hartmann on the influence of cultural understandings about death and healing
Bob Hartmann shares about a Stoney Fork community member known as Uncle Ben and speaks to the impact of local culture—particularly as it regards matters of death and healing—on rural healthcare. Full footage of Bob Hartmann’s interview with Rick… Continued
MPHC: rural health clinic or federally qualified community health center?
James Lovett, CEO of Mountain People’s Health Councils, Inc., recalls when and how he first discovered the differences between rural health clinics, community health centers, and the public health department, along with what it meant for MPHC to be a… Continued
Rick Davidson on what led him to work in the mountains with the Coalition
Rick Davidson shares the impetus behind his involvement with the Student Health Coalition and how that decision impacted him both personally and professionally for years to come. Full footage of the 2013 interview with Tom John and Rick Davidson. Continued