NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER | 2021
Creating Sanctuary
Creating Sanctuary: A Home Away from Home When I think of “creating sanctuary,” I think of feeling welcome in a trusted place where I am known and accepted. Through the love of Christ, creating sanctuary is more than just a feeling at Siloam; it is a value we strive to live out daily with our patients and team. We make time and space to foster genuine, healing relationships in all that we do so that others feel safe, valued, and refreshed in body, mind, and spirit. The Bible gives us many examples of this work in action. From Matthew 11:28 that reads, “come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” to Psalm 46 that tells us, “God is our refuge and strength.” Our patients know all too well the challenges of being without sanctuary as many of them have ventured from their homelands and native cultures to make Nashville their new homes. At Siloam, we acknowledge this through our work of serving patients by providing whole-person care to address every aspect of their being — physical, emotional, and spiritual. Through these precious interactions, we build a trust with our patients that encourages them to share the stories of their physical or emotional concerns. That trust acts as the foundation of our partnership with them to assist their journeys to overall better health. In the following pages, you will see stories of this work unfolding through people who have found hope and healing through Siloam, thanks to supporters like you. As you learn more about their journeys, we hope you will consider giving the
gift of sanctuary to the many underserved and uninsured patients like them who come through our doors every day to feel cared for, seen, and heard. Your gift helps to sustain the provision of care day after day for those who need it most. Sincerely,
Brent Snader, MD
Pictured: Lauren Smith, Family Nurse Practitioner (L) and Dr. Teresa Plummer, Occupational Therapist (R)
“It wasn’t just that she lost the basic functions of her body, but she also lost access to basic survival needs like shelter and food after her lengthy stay in the hospital,” Lauren said. “I was so overwhelmed by the complexity of her concerns because I knew she would need specialists. Together, we went above and beyond to care for this patient who felt powerless.” Among the Siloam Health volunteer specialists called to help was long-time volunteer occupational therapist, Dr. Teresa Plummer. With her support, Rita completed a rehabilitation program in the weeks that followed, which helped her regain mobility, the ability to eat and speak, and her overall independence through the use of specialized equipment.
Creating Sanctuary: Rita’s Road to Recovery Rita’s* journey to health hasn’t been without unexpected detours. A 40-year-old mother from Chile, she experienced a devastating stroke due to complications stemming from surgery to repair a brain aneurysm. Despite having limited mobility and the inability to eat or speak as a result of the stroke, Rita was discharged from the hospital to her husband who had to become her full-time caregiver. With no insurance, she didn’t have access to the recovery specialists who would be vital to her healing — until she found Siloam. Guided by Siloam Health Family Nurse Practitioner Lauren Smith, Rita’s path to healing was shaped.
“Together, we went above and beyond to care for this patient who felt powerless.”
“Other health care environments would have labeled the patient ‘non-compliant’ and walked away, but not Siloam,” Dr. Plummer shared. “That’s what is so incredible about them.” With the love of Christ at the center, stories like Rita’s are made possible because of the community of supporters beyond Siloam’s walls who share our passion for creating sanctuary for Nashville’s uninsured, underserved, and culturally marginalized. *Name redacted to protect patient privacy.
Pictured: Lauren Smith, Family Nurse Practitioner (L) and Dr. Teresa Plummer, Occupational Therapist (R)
“It wasn’t just that she lost the basic functions of her body, but she also lost access to basic survival needs like shelter and food after her lengthy stay in the hospital,” Lauren said. “I was so overwhelmed by the complexity of her concerns because I knew she would need specialists. Together, we went above and beyond to care for this patient who felt powerless.” Among the Siloam Health volunteer specialists called to help was long-time volunteer occupational therapist, Dr. Teresa Plummer. With her support, Rita completed a rehabilitation program in the weeks that followed, which helped her regain mobility, the ability to eat and speak, and her overall independence through the use of specialized equipment.
Creating Sanctuary: Rita’s Road to Recovery Rita’s* journey to health hasn’t been without unexpected detours. A 40-year-old mother from Chile, she experienced a devastating stroke due to complications stemming from surgery to repair a brain aneurysm. Despite having limited mobility and the inability to eat or speak as a result of the stroke, Rita was discharged from the hospital to her husband who had to become her full-time caregiver. With no insurance, she didn’t have access to the recovery specialists who would be vital to her healing — until she found Siloam. Guided by Siloam Health Family Nurse Practitioner Lauren Smith, Rita’s path to healing was shaped.
“Together, we went above and beyond to care for this patient who felt powerless.”
“Other health care environments would have labeled the patient ‘non-compliant’ and walked away, but not Siloam,” Dr. Plummer shared. “That’s what is so incredible about them.” With the love of Christ at the center, stories like Rita’s are made possible because of the community of supporters beyond Siloam’s walls who share our passion for creating sanctuary for Nashville’s uninsured, underserved, and culturally marginalized. *Name redacted to protect patient privacy.