Within the rural communities served by the Student Health Coalition – and within the SHC itself – there were many individuals who left lasting impressions. Stories featuring a few of these memorable characters are presented here. (See also, biographical sketches of SHC participants, community members, faculty supporters, and allies under PEOPLE.)
Recollections of local hospitality in St. Charles, Va.
Grandson Howard Elliot III and daughter Fay, of Howard and Elsie Elliot from St. Charles, Va., reminisce their family’s hospitality toward Vanderbilt students during SHC summer health fairs. This recollection of local generosity is but one piece of a larger… Continued
Bill Corr reflects on the Coalition’s and Center’s roles in providing avenues to act on values
Bill Corr recounts his introduction to the Student Health Coalition (SHC) and Center for Health Services (CHS) shortly after graduating from Vanderbilt Law School. He was working with the Tennessee Department of Public Health at the time Irwin Venick encouraged… Continued
On the empowerment intrinsic to Linda Hart’s nursing career and its role in challenging the system
Linda Hart speaks to the evolution of her nursing career, in part influenced by connections to the Student Health Coalition (SHC). Upon being recruited by Bill Dow, she worked five years as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) at the White Oak… Continued
Charles Scott meets Bill Dow
Charles Scott, professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University and early supporter of the Student Health Coalition (SHC), shares the story of how he and Bill Dow first met. Follow this link for access to the full-length discussion. Recorded May 2019. Continued
Lobbying for the Rural Health Clinic Act
Kate Bradley recalls lobbying for Medicare’s funding of Nurse Practitioners (NPs), a motion that later became known as the Rural Health Clinic Act. Others involved in the effort included Irwin Venick, Wanda Lang, Bill Corr, and Byrd Duncan. Follow this… Continued
Kate Bradley’s post-clinic organizing work at a regional prison
Kate Bradley describes her work as the Volunteer Coordinator at a regional prison, including their development of a continuing education program. Follow this link for access to the full-length interview. Recorded October 2017 in Wartburg, Tenn. Continued
On the success of the St. Charles Clinic: Art Van Zee’s decision to stay and other local leaders
Nancy Raybin highlights Art Van Zee’s commitment to the St. Charles Clinic (and decision to stay) as the foremost contributing factor to its success. She also speaks to the local leadership of many others involved in the clinic’s foundation. Follow… Continued
Nancy Raybin on Bill Dow’s visionary leadership and other prominent figures in southwest Virginia
Nancy Raybin describes Bill Dow’s visionary leadership, highlighting his role in securing funds for the Coalition’s varied projects. But given her placement in St. Charles and being so far removed from SHC happenings in East Tennessee, Raybin speaks more to… Continued
On the resourcefulness, work ethic, and generosity of people and communities in the mountains
Margaret Ecker describes what impressed her most about people and communities in the mountains, highlighting Byrd Duncan’s role in establishing and maintaining the Briceville Clinic. She also mentions J.W. Bradley and Marie Cirillo. Rosie Hammond reflects on other characteristics, such… Continued
Margaret Ecker, new NP, treats a young girl with severe allergic reaction
Margaret Ecker describes the scary experience and pressure of treating a young girl exhibiting severe allergy to multiple yellow jacket stings in Clairfield, Tenn. Follow this link for full-footage of Margaret Ecker’s and Rosie Hammond’s reflections about their SHC experience… Continued
Did you ever feel afraid? Rosie Hammond shares.
Rosie Hammond responds to Margaret Ecker’s inquiry about whether she ever felt afraid during her time in the mountains. She describes an experience while staying with Vada Evans in White Oak, Tenn. Follow this link for full-footage of Margaret Ecker’s… Continued
On the joy and impact of living with local families in East Tennessee
Rosie Hammond shares the highlight of her SHC experience: living with and getting to know local families. She names several from her time in Briceville, White Oak, Petros, Stoney Fork, and Rose Creek, Tenn., including (but not limited to) the… Continued
Development of the Jacksboro Black Lung Clinic, 1973-1975
John Kennedy provides further insight to the Black Lung Association’s legal processes and evolution as an organization that could govern the proposed Jacksboro Black Lung Clinic. Prominent folks involved in getting said clinic up and running included, but were not… Continued
John Kennedy’s introduction to the Black Lung Association in LaFollette, Tenn.
John Kennedy describes his introduction to the Black Lung Association in LaFollette, Tenn. The organization’s primary functions were twofold at the time. First, supporting legislation that would secure black lung benefits for coal miners, and along with it, providing legal… Continued
On the United Mine Workers’ internal power struggle: Jock Yablonski and family’s murder, 1969
John Kennedy describes the deadly repercussions of severe conflicting political interests and struggle for power within UMW ranks, leading to the murder of Jock Yablonski and his family in 1969. Yablonski had opposed Tony Boyle’s re-election as Union President and… Continued
John Williams and Neil McBride on their work with ETRC
This snippet of a much longer and more comprehensive interview with John Williams and Neil McBride serves merely as a brief overview and cursory introduction of these two key figures and their role with the East Tennessee Research Corporation (ETRC)… Continued
Sir George Pickering visits East Tennessee
Bob Hartmann shares the story of his trip escorting Sir George Pickering, a well-respected hypertension specialist from England who was at the time visiting as a guest professor, and Dr. Grant Liddle and his family to East Tennessee as an… Continued
On institutional benefit of student-led Coalition energy and notoriety
Margaret Ecker and Bob Hartmann discuss how the university seemed to be feeding off of and trying to control Coalition energy and notoriety in the effort to recruit foundation dollars. He shares the story of his trip escorting Sir George… 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
Sharon Roberson on institutional racism and her invitation to Chancellor Heard’s home
Sharon Roberson shares what she’s most proud of from her time in West Tennessee, explaining how it cultivated greater depth to her critical understanding of institutional racism and the ensuing drive to educate others on the matter. Full footage… Continued
On Sharon Roberson’s mother, Lady Kendall
Sharon Roberson shares a story exemplifying her mother’s legacy of kindness and advocacy, highlighting the power of leaders to change institutions. Full footage of Sharon Roberson’s 2018 oral history interview. Continued
An anecdote on Bill Dow from John Williams
John Williams shares a fun Bill Dow anecdote as the ETRC and BLA panel comes to a close. Full footage of the 2017 ETRC panel featuring John Williams, John McArthur, Lark Hayes, and Neil McBride. Continued
Neil McBride on the spirit of ETRC
Lark Hayes highlights Neil McBride’s thoughtfulness and tenacity in his litigative work with the East Tennessee Research Corporation (ETRC), and shares an email verbalizing his perception of ETRC’s empowering spirit. Full footage of the 2017 ETRC panel featuring John… Continued
Bob Firestone and John Twiggs arrive in Jacksboro
John McArthur tells the story of his and the board’s decision to hire Bob Firestone and John Twiggs, both from the University of Minnesota, as the Jacksboro Clinic’s first two National Health Service Corps physicians. Despite cultural differences, the community… Continued
John McArthur on Columbus and Ruby McGhee
John McArthur names two of his heroes in the effort to organize the black lung clinic in Jacksboro, Tenn. According to him, Columbus McGhee, a coal miner, and his wife, Ruby, were the lifeblood of the Black Lung Association (BLA)… Continued
J.W. Bradley lobbying for strip mining legislation
John Williams recalls J.W. Bradley’s tenacity while lobbying Congress in support of strip mining regulation, which in 1976, was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. Full footage of the 2017 ETRC panel featuring John Williams, John McArthur, Lark… Continued
Dick Burr on the contributions of Carolyn Klyce
Dick Burr reminisces the kind, joyful, and diligent character of Carolyn Klyce and explains how her many remarkable qualities advanced the Student Health Coalition’s core, activist mission. Full footage of Dick Burr’s interview from March 25th, 2021. Continued
Bill Dow’s “steely gaze”
Dick Burr recalls Bill Dow’s eccentric, impassioned personality and its driving force in the evolution of the Student Health Coalition. Full footage of Dick Burr’s interview from March 25th, 2021. 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
Reflections on the SHC’s sense of fashion
Kate Bradley and Marie Cirillo share some laughs thinking back to the effort Student Health Coalition (SHC) participants put toward demonstrating modesty and respect so as to cultivate relationships with community members. But sporting bowl cuts, long skirts, and duct-taped… Continued
Art Van Zee on community hosts Howard and Elsie Elliot
Art Van Zee reminisces Howard and Elsie Elliot, a local couple with whom many Student Health Coalition (SHC) participants were welcomed to stay. He highlights their hospitality as a hallmark of the Coalition’s community-centered approach to effective organizing. Continued
On the SHC’s provision of hope as fuel for systemic change to rural healthcare
Kate and J.W. Bradley share sweet reflections of the friendships made during the Student Health Coalition’s (SHC’s) community organizing efforts in rural Tennessee, and explain that the organization’s leader, Bill Dow, gave them hope to change what they’d always been… Continued
Minnie Bommer’s encounter with hospital segregation
Having overcome the adversity of racially biased employment discrimination imposed upon her at the outset of her nursing career, Minnie Bommer shares also about the realities of healthcare inequities and segregation experienced post-hire at a hospital in Covington, Tenn. Recorded… Continued
Minnie Bommer on racially charged employment discrimination and her journey to nursing career
Minnie Bommer shares her tumultuous experience at the outset of her nursing career, detailing the extent of racially biased obstacles intended to bar her from hire at hospitals in Tipton County, Tenn. Recorded on June 1, 2018. Full footage… Continued
Bill Dow as a community organizer in Appalachia
Maureen O’Connell and Charles “Boomer” Winfrey reflect on Bill Dow‘s character and personal philosophy about community organizing. They describe him as an other-oriented person driven by creative, actionable service and mutually respectful relationships best illustrated by his perception of and… Continued
Behind the scenes: non-medical techs with the Student Health Coalition
Dal Macon explains his role as coordinator of the Student Health Coalition’s (SHC’s) non-medical techs, bringing light to its operations behind the scenes. Full footage of interview with Dal Macon. Continued
Dal Macon’s introduction to Bill Dow and the Student Health Coalition
Dal Macon shares his first impressions of Bill Dow and what attracted him to the Student Health Coalition’s (SHC’s) unique approach to community organizing. He frames the SHC and its work of rural healthcare delivery as a mission of listeners… Continued
Square Morman’s sons on 1960s civil unrest and Tent City
Dana Ellis, a nurse and co-director of the West Tennessee Student Health Coalition, asks two of Square Morman’s sons what it was like in the early 1960s — from racial tensions to the development of “Tent City.” Recorded on June… Continued
Highlights from J.W. Bradley’s collection of papers
Biff Hollingsworth, archivist at UNC’s Wilson Special Collections Library’s Southern Historical Collection, comes across some highlights from J.W. Bradley‘s recently donated collection of papers. The first is a newspaper clipping of J.W., president of Save Our Cumberland Mountains (SOCM), with… Continued
Resilient Reba: A bittersweet story from Diane Lauver
During a health fair in the 70s, I stayed with a couple in Elgin, Tenn.: Reba and Bud Smithers. Another health fair worker, Angela, stayed with me at their home. A few experiences with this couple left me with strong… 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
Lewis Lefkowitz recalls the legacy of Marie Cirillo and impact of local nurses
Lewis Lefkowitz highlights Marie Cirillo’s contributions to the work of the Student Health Coalition (SHC) and discusses the role of nursing in promoting public health. Recorded on December 1, 2015. Full footage of his recollection about the development of… 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
SHC in Mud Creek, Kentucky
[Story contributed by Jack Beckford, with assistance from Sara Platt Williams] During the Fall of 1970, the SHC was contacted by the Eastern Kentucky Welfare Rights Organization (EKWRO), centered in Floyd Co, Ky. EKWRO was already doing organizing among low-income… Continued
Frank Pacosa on Bill Dow and SHC summers
[Story contributed by Frank Pacosa, April 2017] It was all about Bill and the world he opened to me. That gravely voice stilled me. And often in his mouth was a toothpick, or hay stalk pulled from the dirt that… Continued
Frank Pacosa in memory of Bill Dow
[Story contributed by Frank Pacosa, March 2017] Heartfelt memories of my SHC days rumble through Bill was the seminal influence. Never met a man who could say more with so few words. His admonition to always question and look deeper… Continued
“Liberté, Egalité, Frivolité”
[Story contributed by John Emmeus Davis, 2015] At one emotional pole of the Coalition experience was the gravity and ferocity of the organization’s founder, Bill Dow. He usually displayed little patience for peers whose personal commitment to the SHC’s Appalachian… Continued
Moonshine
Rod Lorenz on the entrepreneurial endeavors of his host family. Learn more about Rod Lorenz. Continued
Living with Vada
Ann Baile Hamric on hospitality, creative home heating, and wasps in the outhouse. Continued
A conversation with Martha Stucker
Martha Stucker shares about her time working in the mountains from 1968-1972, and explains her role as a nurse practitioner focused on meeting community needs. Continued
“It isn’t easy to catch a pig, not even in the confines of the back of a truck.”
[Story contributed by Pat Kalmans] The whole bee thing with Bill started in Nashville on the Vanderbilt campus. Bill had been wanting to raise bees for a while, but didn’t want to necessarily mail order the suckers. One day, literally… Continued
“Not a nanosecond of time was allowed for the corn to begin to lose its sweetness between stalk and pot.”
[Story contributed by Trip Van Noppen] In 1975, I began working for Save Our Cumberland Mountains (SOCM) and moved into the Ponderosa, the really old farmhouse outside of Lake City that Bill had somehow obtained for general housing needs. Jimmy… Continued
“It pleases me to see community people getting together and then deciding for themselves what they want”
Betty Anderson shares what it was like working with Save Our Cumberland Mountains (SOCM) and Bill Dow. She also discusses the indispensable importance of community organizations. Continued
Bill Dow’s broccoli story
On organic farming and the state’s resistance to nurturing broccoli. Continued
Gathering the Seed Corn: Archiving the Bill Dow Papers
My name is Biff Hollingsworth and I am the Collecting and Outreach Archivist for the Southern Historical Collection at UNC Chapel Hill. My main responsibility at the Southern is to curate new collections and projects, which means that I work on… Continued