East TN

On the Coalition’s installation of hope, strength, and inspiration to keep going

Impact of SHC, Personal/Professional Growth, Philosophies/Evolving Concepts, Stories / By

Margaret Ecker frames healthcare as a tool the SHC elected to use toward community empowerment, concluding, along with Rosie Hammond, that while the Coalition may not have made many structural changes to healthcare in the region, their community organizing efforts instilled hope, strength, and inspiration to keep moving forward. Follow this link for full-footage of …

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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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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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Margaret Ecker’s perspective on local home-stays and her experience among the Melungeon Community

Cultural Encounters, Magic Moments, Stories / By

Margaret Ecker shares her perspective on the Coalition’s unique opportunity for students to stay with local families, and the power doing so had on the relationship-building element crucial to effective community organizing. As an example, she reminisces her experience among the isolated Melungeon community near Sneedville, Tenn. during the summer of 1970. Follow this link …

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On the joy and impact of living with local families in East Tennessee

Cultural Encounters, Impact of SHC, Magic Moments, Memorable Characters, Stories / By

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 Phillips family, the Burns Family, Vada Evans, and J.W. and Kate Bradley. She also comments …

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On the SHC’s process identifying post-health fair follow-up needs in East Tennessee

Health Fairs, Community Clinics & Councils, Personal/Professional Growth, Stories / By

Rosie Hammond describes the Coalition’s process identifying cases in need of follow-up, be it subsequent visits to the nearby clinic in Clairfield, Tenn. (where Sister Martha Stucker conducted primary care), a referral for speciality care, or ongoing support from Frontier Nursing Service. Follow this link for full-footage of Margaret Ecker’s and Rosie Hammond’s reflections about …

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On training at Nashville General with Pete Moss and Bill Dow

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

Rosie Hammond elaborates on her training prior to working in the mountains with the Coalition during the summer of 1971. She had met Bill Dow and received clinical mentoring from Pete Moss at Nashville General the year prior, explaining that she otherwise hadn’t yet completed any nursing courses. She details the experience as one which …

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