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Lauren Smith: Compassion in Action

by | Jan 2025

Imagine this: You wake up feeling a sharp pain in your chest, a gnawing worry growing with every breath. You know something is wrong, but the thought of seeking medical care fills you with dread — not because of fear of the diagnosis, but because you don’t have health insurance. You weigh the risks: Can you afford to see a doctor? What happens if you need medication or follow-up care? For thousands of people in Middle Tennessee, this isn’t a hypothetical scenario — it’s their everyday reality.

Just like everywhere else, in Middle Tennessee, the need for affordable and accessible health care continues to grow, and Lauren Smith is a symbol of hope and leadership. As the executive director of Charis Health Center, she has dedicated herself to serving the uninsured and underinsured members of the Lebanon community and beyond. Her mission is to ensure that every neighbor has access to compassionate care, regardless of their circumstances.

“Our mission is to provide the uninsured or underinsured with primary care — compassionate primary care,” Smith shared. “What makes us unique compared to a traditional doctor’s office is that we focus on more than just treating illnesses. We address all the factors that contribute to overall health.”

Charis Health Center stands out as a community health hub, offering not only medical services but a wide array of supportive resources. With a medication dispensary, hygiene pantry, and partnerships with local food banks, Charis Health Center ensures that every patient leaves with the tools they need to live healthier lives.

Walking into Charis Health Center is a unique experience. Patients aren’t just greeted by health care providers — they’re met with understanding and resources to tackle challenges that might seem unrelated to medical care but are integral to good health. Smith described some of the center’s essential offerings:

“We have a medication dispensary that allows us to give away over a million dollars in free pharmaceuticals every year,” she said. “We also offer a hygiene pantry. It’s stocked with items like laundry detergent, toothpaste, shampoo, razors, diapers, and even over-the-counter medicines like allergy medication, which can be surprisingly expensive. These are all free to our patients.”

Smith’s pride in these services is very clear by the passion in her voice.

“We love being able to support all the things that keep people healthy,” she said. “We don’t want patients coming to us only because they’re sick. We want them to be well while they’re seeing us.”

The origin story of Charis Health Center is one of resilience and community. Smith explained how the clinic began in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis:

“A group of local doctors saw a growing need as people lost jobs and, with them, their employer-sponsored health insurance. They came together to form Charis Health Center, thinking it would be a temporary solution. But, they quickly realized that the need for affordable care went far beyond economic recessions. People lose insurance for all sorts of reasons, and that’s where we step in.”

Since its inception, Charis Health Center has evolved into a vital resource for the region, adapting to new challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. During the crisis, Charis Health Center became a frontline provider, administering tests and vaccines through its mobile clinic.

“The health department called on us to serve the whole community, not just uninsured patients,” Smith said. “We partnered with the National Guard to expand our reach, ensuring that even the hardest-to-reach populations had access to care. It was a pivotal moment for us.”

For Smith, her work at Charis Health Center is deeply personal. “I’m a hometown girl,” she said with pride. “To be able to serve my neighbors — my community — is what keeps me coming back every day.”

Smith doesn’t shy away from the challenges her team faces.

“Our patients are often very sick when they come to us because they’ve delayed care, thinking they didn’t have access to it. It’s hard work, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.”

Her gratitude extends to the dedicated volunteers who make Charis’ mission possible.

“We couldn’t do this without our volunteers,” Smith emphasized. “It’s inspiring to see community members step up to serve their neighbors, whether it’s through medical expertise or administrative support.”

Charis Health Center’s impact isn’t confined to Lebanon, Mount Juliet, or even just Wilson County. With two locations and a mobile clinic, the center serves patients across Middle Tennessee. Every Monday, the mobile clinic partners with Compassionate Hands — a local homeless ministry in Lebanon — to bring health care directly to those in need.

“When people call us, we go,” Smith said simply. “That’s the beauty of having a mobile clinic. We can meet people where they are.”

The numbers speak for themselves. “

On any given year, we serve over 3,000 clinic appointments,” Smith shared.

That’s no small feat for a little clinic like theirs.

In addition to primary care, Charis Health Center has expanded its services to include behavioral health, physical therapy, and even sleep medicine. Smith highlighted the importance of these offerings:

“We have a counseling arm within the clinic, providing free mental health support to patients,” she said. “We also have volunteer physical therapists and a physician trained in sleep medicine. These services may seem small, but to the patients who need them, they’re life-changing.”

Mental health, in particular, is an area where Charis Health Center is making a profound difference.

“One of the hardest things for people to cope with is their health,” Smith explained. “When you receive a difficult diagnosis, having someone to talk to can make all the difference. Even if it’s just one counselor seeing six patients a month, that’s six lives changed.”

As Charis Health Center continues to grow, so does its need for volunteers.

“We’re always looking for medical volunteers,” Smith said. “Whether you’re a nurse, a physician, or a medical assistant, your time can make a huge impact. And it doesn’t have to be a big commitment. Some volunteers come once a week; others come just a few times a year. Every bit helps.”

Nonmedical volunteers are equally essential. From administrative support to helping with the hygiene pantry, there are countless ways for community members to get involved.

For Smith and her dedicated team, Charis Health Center is more than a health care provider.

“When you look at what we do,” Smith said, “you see a community coming together to support one another. That’s what makes Charis special.”
As Charis Health Center continues to serve the Lebanon community and beyond, its impact is felt not only in the lives of the patients it treats but also in the spirit of compassion it fosters in Middle Tennessee. With leaders like Lauren Smith, the future of health care in the region is undeniably brighter. GN

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