Executive Director, Mary B. Vance

Mary Vance has been involved with the Clinic since its inception, starting with its development as an organization.  She was drawn to become involved because of the plight of the uninsured. She continued to volunteer on many levels including being a member of the board of directors until the spring of 2001, when she answered “her call” to become the Clinic’s first Executive Director.  Mary has a B.A. in sociology and philosophy from Bowling Green State University, a M.S. in Community Health Administration from California College of Health Sciences and held a TN license for nursing home administrator.  Mary ended her 15 year career with Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center as the leader of the three departments of Occupational Health, Employee Health and Community Health.  Her husband is retired from the National Park Service and they have two grown sons. 

Director of Marketing and Development, Elaine Miller

Elaine Miller has been at Mountain Hope Clinic for the past 8 years. She is responsible for public relations and raising the money needed to keep the Clinic operational. If you have attended one of the Clinic’s fund-raising events, you can be sure that Elaine had a hand in it somewhere! Elaine is married to National Park Spokesman, Bob Miller and they have 1 daughter who is currently in graduate school in Pennsylvania. Elaine is dedicated to Mountain Hope because of the great need for healthcare for the uninsured here in Sevier County and all across the country. 

Volunteer Medical Director, Richard Dew, M.D.

Dr. Richard Dew retired after 30 years of family practice and moved to Gatlinburg in 2003. When he heard about Mountain Hope Clinic, he approached us about becoming a volunteer. He volunteers to treat patients one full day per week and serves as our medical director, providing guidance and education to our nurse practitioners. He is also a member of the Clinic’s volunteer Board of Directors. Dr. Dew has been an active volunteer for 7 years. In his spare time he writes books and hikes. 
 

Nurse Practitioner, Wendy Pomeroy, FNP/Psychiatric

 Wendy Pomeroy has been with Mountain Hope since it opened in 1999, first as a volunteer and later as full-time staff. Her work at the Clinic is her ministry in spreading God’s love. She enjoys working with the many students that rotate through Mountain Hope. She says that the greatest reward she has received is when patients tell her what a difference the Clinic has made in their lives. Wendy is married and has 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren.

Nurse Practitioner, Missy Large, FNP

Missy Valentine Large was born and raised in Sevier County and has been a nurse for 15 years. She graduated from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has previous experience in critical care, surgery, emergency room and heart catheterization as an RN. Missy has been with Mountain Hope Clinic for 1 year and enjoys being able to help the people we serve and making a difference in their lives. Missy is married, with twin 11 year old boys and loves camping, fishing, water sports and “hanging out” at the lake. 

Clinic Nurse, Renee Huskey, R.N.

Renee has been a nurse with Mountain Hope for 10 years. She graduated from Walters State Community College in nursing and is originally from New Orleans, LA. She enjoys the family atmosphere of the Clinic and working with both staff and patients. Renee has 2 adult children and 2 grandchildren.  

Clinic Nurse, Dan Hartley, LPN

Originally from Florida, Dan Hartley moved to Tennessee 3 years ago from South Georgia to pastor a church in Seymour. He graduated nursing school in 1995 and has worked in many aspects of nursing and most recently joined the American Red Cross as an instructor in their Nurse Assistant Training program. He lives in Sevierville with his wife and three children and presently serves as the worship pastor at his church, “The River” in Seymour, TN. 

Part-time Nurse/Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordinator, Michelle Collins, LPN

Michelle Collins graduated from Metropolitan Nashville General Hospital School of Practical Nursing in 1993 and has been a nurse for about 17 years. One of her duties at the Clinic is to help people get medication that they could not otherwise afford through the pharmaceutical companies. “This has been such a rewarding experience for me to be able to help people who often must choose between medicine and food”, said Michelle of her work here at Mountain Hope. “It is such a blessing to be able to work in a faith-based clinic where so many people come together to do the Lord’s work.” Michelle has 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren. 

Part-time Dentist, Jeff Collart, D.D.S. 

Dr. Collart first started providing dental care for Mountain Hope patients in his own office after hours before the Clinic had a dental program of its own. He began caring for dental patients onsite at Mountain Hope Clinic when the dental program started in 2003. During the early years, Dr. Collart served as a volunteer; pulling teeth for patients in pain one evening a week, after working a full day in his own practice. After his retirement in 2008, he became part of our staff two days per week, performing extractions, simple fillings and dental examinations. Dr. Collart said, “It breaks my heart to hear about chronic toothaches that have lasted for times ranging from a month to years.” Dr. Collart is married, with 2 grown children and 2 granddaughters. 

Part-time Dental Assistant, Becky Satterfield  

Becky has been with the clinic since Oct. 2007. She has been a dental assistant for 9 years, after attending the Tennessee Technology Center in Knoxville.  She loves working at the Clinic 2 days a week to help Dr Collart take care of all the many people who need dental treatment and that can’t afford to go to a general practice. She said, “I think it is a very special program the Clinic has, I love being part of it. Many people that come to the clinic don't understand the importance of dental care or have not been able to afford dental treatment, so I am glad to be a part of a team that can educate patients on their dental needs and help many of them out of their prolonged pain that they have had to suffer from because they couldn't afford treatment elsewhere.” Becky is married and has 2 beautiful boys, ages 5 and 7 months. 

Part-time Dental Hygienist,  Amanda Perryman 

Amanda is a 2008 graduate of the ETSU School of Dental Hygiene and joined the Mountain Hope Team in the summer of 2009. She provides dental cleaning and education on Tuesdays and Thursdays to our many dental patients. She is engaged to be married and has lived in Sevier County all her life. She said, "I first came to Mountain Hope as a dental hygiene student. I was so impressed with the need and gratitude of the patients; I knew that I would someday like to work here." 

Office Manager, Shari Chambers 

Shari Chambers has worked at Mountain Hope Clinic for the past 2 years and is responsible for the “day to day” operations of the office. She graduated from Walters State Community College 8 years ago with a major in psychology and minor in nursing. She enjoys working with the people in our community and giving back to those in need. She said, “I feel blessed and humbled by being able to serve our community.” Shari is married and has 2 grown sons and a beautiful grandson.  

Receptionist/Translator, Johanna Ponce Ramirez

Johanna Ramirez moved to Sevierville from Honduras 6 years ago and is currently studying nursing at Walters State Community College. She has been the translator and receptionist at Mountain Hope Clinic for 3 years. She answers the phones, schedules appointments and translates for our medical and dental staff when we have Hispanic patients with limited English. Her favorite thing about working here at the Clinic is that the staff and volunteers are like one big family who get to help people every day. 

Part-time Receptionist, Judy Watson

Judy Watson is a widow with a 17 year old grandson who lives with her. She first became acquainted with Mountain Hope Clinic as a patient, then as a volunteer and finally as our part-time receptionist. She is the first person you see when you walk in the door and the friendly voice on the phone. She also loves helping out with the Clinic fund-raisers and events. A special part of her day is seeing the smile on the face of patients when they find out Mountain Hope will treat them after they have been turned down for treatment at other places. She feels a special calling to pray for those who feel they have no hope.