St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic’s past, present, and future are part of celebration
By Jim Wogan
The St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic has logged thousands of miles and served hundreds of patients during its 10 years of healing the sick and uninsured in the Diocese of Knoxville.
Among those on hand to celebrate the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic’s 10th anniversary were, from left, board member John Sheridan, board president David Ligon, medical director Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, SMLC founder and former medical director Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, state Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, and Father David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. (Jim Wogan)
On Nov. 8, the clinic’s leadership came together for a Mass and luncheon at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City to honor those who do some of its most cherished work—the volunteers.
The Mass was concelebrated by Father Doug Owens and Father David Boettner. Deacon Jim Bello assisted. Following Mass, a luncheon to honor the volunteers was held at the parish Family Life Center, with nearly 100 people attending.
Among those in attendance was state Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, a member of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
“The clinic fulfills its mission because of all the volunteers who have served with us over the past decade. We would not be able to do our work helping people in this region who desperately need medical care without the work of our volunteers. Quite simply, it would not be possible,” St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic executive director Martin Vargas said.
To illustrate his point, Mr. Vargas noted that since the clinic’s inception, volunteers have contributed nearly 66,000 service hours and care to patients. Based on a modest hourly rate, the value of volunteer time given to the diocese and the clinic is roughly $2.1 million, he said.
“We are so grateful for our volunteers and all of our supporters who have walked this decade-long journey with us,” Mr. Vargas said.
The St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic was established following the sale of St. Mary’s Medical Center in 2012. The mobile clinic arrived in Knoxville in 2013, and its founding medical director, Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, oversaw its mission and growth until 2020. She now serves as a doctor at a medical clinic operated by Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Lansing, Mich.
Sister Mariana returned to the Diocese of Knoxville for this year’s volunteer Mass and luncheon.
“From the beginning, it has never been my clinic, or one person’s clinic. It’s always been God’s clinic,” Sister Mariana said. “We are His instruments to take His mercy…out to the people of East Tennessee.”
During her remarks, Sister Mariana recalled the history of Catholic medical care in East Tennessee and the opening of St. Mary’s Hospital in 1930, which eventually led to the creation (and 10th anniversary) of the mobile medical clinic.
“God’s providence has been working long before 10 years,” she said. “Ten years, yes, but you can also go back 90 years in a certain continuity.”
The clinic’s current medical director, Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, leads the medical mission that has now expanded to visit eight locations around East Tennessee. Two more locations may be added soon.
“The need for medical care for the uninsured and underserved in East Tennessee continues to grow, and we are working hard to expand our ministry,” Mr. Vargas said. “We hope to add two new locations soon—in Crossville and in Sevier County. Currently, Gatlinburg is our fastest-growing clinic, and it is at capacity. In addition to Gatlinburg, we need a second site in Sevier County.”
Sister Mary Lisa thanked the volunteers for all their work.
“There are many things being done that people don’t always get to see,” she said.
Sister Mary Lisa recalled a patient who visited the clinic in Crab Orchard and recently passed away. She relayed a message to the volunteers.
“He had been in the hospital and was told there wasn’t much that could be done (for his condition). He was very, very, sick. Over that short period of time, we were privileged to see him, and just through the experience of meeting all of you and receiving your kindness…his family often called us. … I spoke with his daughter the day he died (at the hospital) and she wanted you to know that he reconciled with God, and he is ready to go,” Sister Mary Lisa said.
“So, I think that is the gift. I wanted you to know that what you do makes a difference. Every little thing is important, and nothing is lost in the Lord,” she added.
Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, left, current SMLC medical director, is joined by SMLC founding medical director Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, and SMLC executive director Martin Vargas at the SMLC volunteer luncheon. (Jim Wogan)
The Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich. (RSMs) have been instrumental in both leadership and staffing of the clinic. In addition to the two medical directors, Sister Celeste Mary Poche, RSM, currently serves as a nurse practitioner. They were joined at the luncheon by Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM, Sister Mary Juanita Gonsalves, RSM, Sister Mary Simone Haakansson, RSM, Sister Joan Miriam Nelson, RSM, and Superior General Mother Mary Christa Nutt, RSM.
In addition to the presentation of five-year and 10-year service pins to volunteers, one of the highlights of the luncheon was the presentation of a $25,000 check to the clinic by volunteers Terry and Frank Aparicio.
Several volunteers were recognized for their long service to the clinic:
- Ten-year pins: Mary Frances Bridges, Vivan Brocato, Donna Ibbetson, Patty Johnson, Dana Myers, Bob Nevil, Diane Schwartz, Mary Ann Smith, Mary Ann Toennisson, Diane Treanor, Janice Wenzel, Sheila Yarborough, Star Lakavage, and Sally Patten.
- Five-year pins: Terry Aparicio, Deacon Gil Campos, and Chris McGreevey.
“We are appreciative of all the work our volunteers do, and the gift from Mr. and Mrs. Aparicio, who serve as translators for us, was a pleasant surprise,” Mr. Vargas said. “Their gift will be used to help with the many expenses we incur operating the clinic.”
Also attending the luncheon was David Ligon, clinic board president, and John Sheridan, board member and stewardship committee chairperson, as well as Sen. Massey.
“I want to thank the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic and the Religious Sisters of Mercy for the great work they are doing in reaching out to the underserved and uninsured folks who need it most and going into the communities and taking it to them,” Sen. Massey said.
“To be able to go in and to work with folks on their preventative health measures and teaching good, healthy habits will make a difference in those people’s lives. I applaud what the Sisters of Mercy and the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic is doing. You are touching lives and making a difference in people’s lives,” she added.
While the clinic embarks on its second decade of service, Mr. Vargas summed up efforts to meet the growing demand for medical care in East Tennessee. He said the clinic added 106 new patients in the first half of 2023—a 30-percent increase.
Mr. Vargas expects that growth trend to continue.
“In the last 12 months, our Hispanic patients increased 40 percent and now make up 35 percent of our patient population,” he said. “But the reality is, our patients are diverse, and they include many native East Tennesseans—people, many of them who are not Catholic, but who are going without medical care due to a lack of insurance or no availability of services.
“Our current clinic has been on the road for more than a decade now. It has served us well. But we are working hard to make a down payment on a new clinic that can be put into service soon. It’s needed, and it will be a vital part of our future ministry,” he said.
