Luncheon celebrates fifth anniversary of St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic

Ruth Pavelchik (second from left) received the Legacy Clinic’s Judy Award from Philip and Jennifer Schmidt. Sister Mariana Koonce,
RSM, is at left.

The St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic celebrated its fifth anniversary Nov. 5 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City by holding its fourth Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.

The clinic officially turned 5 on Sept. 11. On Sept. 11, 2013, the mobile clinic vehicle was delivered and dedicated to God and the service of His people in East Tennessee. The vehicle has been driven almost 34,000 miles, and the clinic has seen 5,000 patients. It provided more than 7,000 hours of care for the medically underserved in East Tennessee in 2017.

The day at St. Thomas began with Mass celebrated by Monsignor Pat Garrity, assisted by Deacon Marquis Syler.

Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, is a medical doctor who directs the Legacy Clinic, which provides mobile medical care in Decatur, Crab Orchard, Rutledge, Washburn, and Gatlinburg. Sister Mariana emceed the luncheon at St. Thomas.

At the luncheon, several clinic volunteers, including Melissa Coldiron, Star Lakavage, and Hank Stindt, shared stories from the past five years.

Bruce Fisher (left) and Dr. John Harris were named the Legacy Clinic’s Volunteers of the Year.

Philip and Jennifer Schmidt presented the Judy Award to Ruth Pavelchik. The Judy Award is named for the late Judy Schmidt, the first clinic volunteer.

Sister Mariana recognized several more volunteers, including Diana Seaver, for their service.

Sister Mariana then recognized five-year volunteers, who attended the first volunteer orientation in October 2013 at the Chancery office in Knoxville. Also recognized were those oriented in January 2014.

The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Bruce Fisher and Dr. John Harris.

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