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Team Member Stories

Life savers

Team Member Stories | Doctor Stories

Gilda McKinney portrait

Gilda McKinney 

Leading with a servant’s heart

Gilda McKinney was living in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. She had evacuated the city but returned to a destroyed home and neighborhood. It became one of many challenges that enabled her to help others through trying times of their own. 

Watch or read Gilda’s story here.

 

Bernie Buckles portrait

Bernie Buckles 

The healing power of a hot meal

Dedicated volunteer Bernie Buckles can be found at the Hospice House every Monday, Wednesday and Friday without fail, pulling 12-hour shifts. He arrives by 5 a.m. and begins his day by preparing breakfast – his famous biscuits and gravy – for everyone. 

Watch or read Bernie’s story here.

 

Wanda Butte portrait

Wanda Butte 

A song in her heart

Wanda Butte has always loved to sing. From her preschool days in Church Hill, TN, to family gatherings and gospel and bluegrass songfests with her husband, Ernie, she relishes every note. But it just takes one song, she believes, to truly touch a life. 

Watch or read Wanda’s story here.


Doctor Stories

Dr. Roy Deel portrait

Dr. Roy Deel 

From coal miner to small town doctor

“I was a coal miner like lot of other people here,” says Dr. Roy Deel. He became an EMT at the mines to save his job when layoffs were predicted. When the mines finally closed, he started down the path to become a registered nurse and, eventually, a physician. 

Watch or read Dr. Deel’s story here.

Seth Brown, portrait, head and shoulders

Dr. Seth Allen Brown 

Saving lives in the pediatric ER

Music or medicine? That was the difficult career path decision Dr. Seth Brown says he faced when he was in high school enjoying life as the band drum major and trumpet player. Then, while he was on a run with the ambulance service in the Explorer program, his future path was clear. 

Read Dr. Brown’s story here.

Dr. Brahmbhatt portrait photo, head and shoulders

Dr. Hetal Brahmbhatt

Caring for patients with compassion and faith

“Throughout my childhood, I heard my mother say that helping others, especially those who are in pain, is the greatest thing you can do,” says Dr. Hetal Brahmbhatt. “That is what I wanted to do, and why I became a doctor.” 

Read Dr. Brahmbhatt’s story here.

Dr. Saad Al-Khatib portrait

Dr. Saad Al-Khatib

Taking care of patients in times of crisis

“I see people in their greatest need, those in absolute crisis, and it’s rewarding to be able to take care of them and prevent them from dying,” says Dr. Saad Al-Khatib of his work at Franklin Woods Community Hospital’s emergency room. 

Read Dr. Al-Khatib’s story here.