from Diane’s obituary, published February 1o, 2025, in the Addison County Independent, Bristol, Vermont. Diane Cushman, an intrepid traveler and devoted nurse, passed away on January 25, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of devotion to community and a spirit for adventure that began in her childhood in Bristol, Vt. Diane would recount the day she …
from Caryl Carpenter, posted July 2023 Stoney Fork, Tennessee is an isolated area in the southwest corner of Campbell County. Stoney Fork is approachable from three ways, all over unpaved gravel roads. The road from the North comes in from Norma in Scott County, and at one point crosses a stream that, with any …
The Legacy of the Stoney Fork (Tenn.) Health Clinic Read More »
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 MPHC.
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, document the evolution of MPHC from Coalition-era health fairs to its operations today. This chapter …
Post-health fair formation of community councils and the origins of MPHC in Tennessee Read More »
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 one of the leading coal producers in the state. Norma was at one time a …
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 off the grid and exist, because everyone watched out for you to a degree.” …
Betty Anderson shares how she first became involved with Save Our Cumberland Mountains (SOCM) and the Student Health Coalition. Included in her account is a story about how she and others responded to opposition of the rural health clinics in Petros, Norma, and Stoney Fork, Tenn.
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 Bob Hartmann’s interview with Rick Davidson.
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 Hartmann’s interview with Rick Davidson.
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 Sally Kimberly’s interview with Rick Davidson.
