FOR MORE than two decades, Kristie Sanders has devoted her heart and hands to the people of Lincoln County. Her story is one of faith, compassion, and continuity — a nurse whose care flows not only from clinical expertise but also from the deep love she has cultivated for her community since childhood.
Sanders’ love for caregiving began before she even understood what nursing meant. That instinct to nurture never left her — it simply grew stronger.
“My grandfather was an Army veteran and had bilateral lower leg amputations,” she recalled. “So, my nursing career started as a preschooler when I helped my grandmother take care of him.”
Living through the challenges he faced as a person with disabilities in the 1970s and ‘80s, long before accessibility laws made everyday life easier, shaped her sense of awareness and empathy.
“I lived that experience with him,” Sanders said. “I learned early on to pay attention to other people’s struggles.”
From tending scraped knees to rescuing kittens born in boxes, Sanders became “the nurse for everybody and every critter.” That instinct to nurture never left her — it simply grew stronger.
Sanders moved to Lincoln County as a young girl and never left. She has spent more than 21 years caring for families, watching generations grow, and finding joy in the relationships that blossom between visits and milestones.
“My favorite part of my job is being part of people’s lives from the very beginning and watching them grow,” she said. “I love when my little patients invite me to their school plays or come hug me at the grocery store. I’ve even seen some of the kids I cared for go off to college — and a few of them have gone into nursing themselves.”
Sanders began her formal education at Motlow State Community College, earning her associate degree in nursing before continuing on to earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
“My family, friends, mentors, and life experiences taught me how to love and support people,” she said. “My education taught me the science behind the care — how to apply it so people can truly be their best.”
Sanders said the blend of heart and science made her the nurse she is today. “Both programs were tough,” she added.
“They sparked my curiosity for learning. The human body is fascinating. I’m always reading something new, learning something new.”
Sanders’ career began in labor and delivery, a chapter she describes as foundational. “To be there when a baby takes its first breath — to see a woman become a mother, a man become a father — it’s so meaningful,” she said.
“Now, working in pediatrics, I get to see those same babies grow up. It’s like watching the story continue.”
She has also served families through home health, providing care at the end of life’s journey. “Those moments define us,” she said.
“Caring for families at both ends of the spectrum gives me balance and reminds me what really matters.”
As a family nurse practitioner, Sanders believes medicine is only part of the story.
“Medicine is just a tool. What matters most is being part of people’s lives — cheering for their victories, helping them overcome barriers, and watching them thrive.”
“I love my patients, and I hope they feel that every time they see me. The clinical expertise comes in when I listen — really listen — and help them reach their goals. That’s what makes health care meaningful.”
Sanders’ faith is the steady undercurrent of her work.
“In my walk with Christ, I try to model His love and care every day. My faith gives me peace in the hard and stressful times. It grounds me. It feeds my soul.”
As a mother of four boys and a new daughter-in-law, Sanders finds joy in simple things — hiking, picnics, and noticing the beauty in nature. “I love to be outside,” she said. “I find joy in little things — a wildflower, an oddly shaped tree, or a funny story. It’s like a treasure hunt for gratitude.”
After more than two decades in health care, Sanders offers one simple piece of advice to new nurses: “Never stop learning and growing.”
When asked what healing our community means to her, Sanders paused. Then she smiled and said, “It’s taking care of family — our big, extended community family. It takes all of us to make that happen. We all help each other heal in our own little ways.” GN
