Art Van Zee

On the evolution of treatment and maintenance for opioid addiction in St. Charles, Va.

Cultural Encounters, Personal/Professional Growth, Remaining Challenges, Stories / By

Art Van Zee discusses the evolution of treatment for opioid addiction, including monumental shifts particularly valuable to rural communities such as St. Charles, Va. He explains that access to methadone maintenance treatment is extremely restricted for many people in isolated regions, as it would incur unsustainable expenses (both financial and time-related) just to get to …

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Reflections on the legacy of coal camp healthcare and success of the St. Charles Clinic

Cultural Encounters, Origin Stories, Power and Politics in Health Care, Stories / By

Several closely tied to the St. Charles Clinic gather to discuss what contributed to its success and reminisce about past generations of healthcare in the area, namely during the time large coal companies were active. They emphasize the determination of local residents and role of widespread community collaboration in establishing and maintaining the clinic. Those …

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Reflections on culture: camaraderie, family, and the destructive fallout of addiction in St. Charles

Cultural Encounters, Stories / By

Art Van Zee reflects on the rich coal mining culture of St. Charles, Va. and surrounding communities. He describes its positive impact on the connectedness of extended family units and overall sense of camaraderie among neighbors. In doing so, Art highlights the ongoing cultural shift away from this reality–citing the destruction of families as one …

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On healthcare education and mentoring

Origin Stories, Personal/Professional Growth, Stories / By

Art Van Zee discusses the value of healthcare education and mentoring. He expresses gratitude for the nurturing and supportive environment both his parents cultivated for him as a child; for Sister Beth Davies’ mentorship in the field of addiction-related healthcare and substance abuse treatment; and for several others who shaped him as a doctor throughout …

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On the success of the St. Charles Clinic: Art Van Zee’s decision to stay and other local leaders

Health Fairs, Community Clinics & Councils, Memorable Characters, Philosophies/Evolving Concepts, Stories / By

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 this link for access to the full-length interview. Recorded October 28th, 2021.

On the St. Charles Clinic’s economic model: “…it had to survive beyond the goodwill of volunteers”

Health Fairs, Community Clinics & Councils, Power and Politics in Health Care, Pre-Existing Conditions, Stories / By

Nancy Raybin describes the growth and development of the St. Charles Clinic over time. She provides insight about what distinguished this one from others in East Tennessee, with emphasis on the value of applying business principles and establishing an economic model that together would facilitate long-term sustainability. She also comments on the effect different political …

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Nancy Raybin’s onboarding and role as Director of the St. Charles Clinic, 1974

Health Fairs, Community Clinics & Councils, Origin Stories, Stories / By

Nancy Raybin discusses her onboarding and role as the Director of the St. Charles Clinic from 1974 to 1976, a period during which she hired Polly McClanahan as the clinic’s Nurse Practitioner (NP), recruited Art Van Zee as the clinic’s doctor, and established policies and procedures related to third party payer (Medicaid, Medicare, and, in …

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Did we make a difference? Margaret Ecker and Rosie Hammond reflect.

Impact of SHC, Personal/Professional Growth, Philosophies/Evolving Concepts, Pre-Existing Conditions, Remaining Challenges, Stories / By

Margaret Ecker and Rosie Hammond grapple with the question: did we (the SHC) make a difference? Margaret shares how, in reflection of Art Van Zee’s insight to ongoing addiction throughout southwest Virginia and the Appalachian region, there are new challenges to address, different than those tackled by the SHC in the 60s and 70s. From …

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