IN THE heart of Shelbyville, the Community Clinic of Shelbyville and Bedford County is a priceless resource for those often overlooked by the healthcare system. It’s a place where the fragrance of hope mingles with compassion and care, and it’s where Shanna Gaither, a nurse practitioner, connects with residents needing the most basic care.
Gaither’s journey to the clinic was over a crossroads of circumstance and connections, a story that spans time and distance. In 2014, the world spun on a different axis for Gaither when her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. The news acted as a gravitational force, pulling Gaither, her husband, and their children back from the bustling streets of Nashville to the familiar embrace of small-town living. A return to life in her hometown of Tullahoma intersected with an opening at the Shelbyville clinic managed by executive director Freida Lusk, Gaither’s high school guidance counselor.
“My mom was the best nurse ever. Even when she wasn’t a nurse, she was always helping people. Then I knew that’s what I always wanted. I never felt like anything else was natural. This just sort of came naturally. I feel like she works through me. She’s such a big part of me and what I’m doing because, without her, I don’t think I would have a second instinct about what I’m doing,” Gaither said.
Gaither’s role at the clinic first included only a few hours a month to support the community’s medical needs. But as time flowed steadily, so did the clinic’s growth. Those few hours became several hours each week. Gaither now serves as the clinic’s assistant director, working with everyone on the clinic’s team to ensure that healthcare is a beacon of hope, even for those navigating life’s darkest storms.
In Nashville, where Gaither had previously worked, the healthcare landscape was lush with resources, and diagnostic tools were readily available at every turn. Yet, her work in Nashville contrasted with caring for patients who often walk a tightrope, balancing on the edge of limited resources and challenging circumstances. The clinic’s patient population includes the uninsured, the low-income, and those struggling daily with the scarcity of basic necessities like shelter, nutritious food, and reliable transportation. In this environment, Gaither’s diagnostic toolkit is rooted in her patients’ personal histories and her acute examination skills. Advanced diagnostic labs, radiological imaging, and a wide array of prescription medications are not readily available options for these patients.
Gaither said, “I don’t have the luxury of specialty labs, radiological imaging, or other readily available diagnostic resources. In addition, medication choices are limited due to the high cost of some prescription medications, given that our patients must pay out of pocket. Our nurses and support staff are extremely resourceful when finding patient assistance for some medications, such as insulins, specialty diabetic medications, and inhalers. We also partner with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and can make referrals to specialists for dire patient situations under the Vanderbilt patient financial assistance program.”
Yet, despite her patients’ formidable challenges, Gaither finds her most significant purpose in the collective efforts of the clinic’s staff. It’s a family-like bond that goes beyond professional roles. Because we’re all trying to work to help someone that needs it, we all tend to work together better,” Gaither said.
However, the limitations imposed by a lack of resources and medical insurance cast a shadow of frustration. “It’s almost impossible,” Gaither said. The stark reality of patients arriving at the clinic with advanced medical issues due to delayed or nonexistent medical care challenges everyone there.
The clinic’s mission stands tall, a collective effort fueled by the community’s support. Governed by a volunteer board of directors and sustained through donations, grants, and fundraisers, the clinic thrives because of the generosity of individuals and organizations. Anyone can contribute through the clinic’s website, shelbyvilleclinic.org, extending a lifeline to those in need.
Gaither’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship, compassion, and the unwavering commitment to making a difference. As she and the clinic’s team work tirelessly to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility, they rely upon the community’s support to ensure that no one is left behind. The clinic’s healing mission continues to illuminate the lives of those who, for far too long, have navigated the darkness alone. GN
