community engagement

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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On the resourcefulness, work ethic, and generosity of people and communities in the mountains

Memorable Characters, Stories / By

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 as their being so genuine and generous. Follow this link for full-footage of Margaret Ecker’s …

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Bill Dow in Smithville ,Tenn., 1970

Bill Dow

People, Student Health Coalition Participants, Theme: Expanding Practice, Theme: Expanding Practice - People, Theme: Health Care, Theme: Health Care - People, Theme: Organizing, Theme: Organizing - People, Themes / By

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 Ecker, compiled in collaboration with friends  Bill Dow energized a generation of student activists and …

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Karen Blaydes

People, Student Health Coalition Participants, Theme: Health Care, Theme: Health Care - People, Theme: Organizing, Theme: Organizing - People, Themes / By

Contributed by John Emmeus Davis with the generous assistance of Jack Beckford, June 2017. Karen Blaydes (1948-2009) joined the Student Health Coalition (SHC) in 1970, two weeks after graduating from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. This was the first year that students who were not preparing for a medical career were …

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Tish Crane Rainey

2 Comments / People, Student Health Coalition Participants, Theme: Health Care, Theme: Health Care - People, Theme: Organizing, Theme: Organizing - People, Themes / By

Contributed by Tish Crane Rainey, March 2017. I participated in the Student Health Coalition the summer of 1975. I had just finished my first year in nursing school at Vanderbilt with an eye on becoming a nurse midwife. That fall I was one of those senior students who participated in the Primex program, Vanderbilt’s first …

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