Opening the doors of a nursing home is like opening the lid of a
treasure chest. Each patient is a gem, and each of their stories is
like gold waiting to be discovered.
When the treasure chests were opened, nursing homes throughout
Tennessee saw that their patients had many “Golden Achievements” in
their lives. They found artists, soldiers, ministers, nurses, doctors,
teachers, musicians and world travelers. With every “Golden
Achievement,” the 2007 Who’s Who in Tennessee Nursing Home honorees
have made lasting contributions to the Volunteer State.
“Today’s nursing home patients are treasures to their communities,”
said THCA Executive Director Ron Taylor. “These men and women
demonstrate strength, bravery and wisdom, and THCA’s annual Who’s Who
program provides opportunities to recognize the accomplishments of
these men and women and how they’ve enriched the lives of their
families, friends and caregivers.”
Many members of “The Greatest Generation” fill Tennessee’s nursing
home with their stories from the frontlines. They share tales of
bravery, valor and military service. Phillip Foster, a patient at
Bethesda Health Care Center, was just a teenager when he joined the
Army during World War II. After basic training in El Paso, Texas, he
shipped out from New York City to go overseas. His unit arrived in
England and then traveled by boat to France, where he remembers they
marched through Paris but did not stay. They traveled on to Belgium
and set up camp in an apple orchard. While he was driving a transport
truck, it hit a landmine. He returned home from England by ship, and
he vowed to never ride on another boat in his life.
Donald
George Miller, a patient at Community Care of Rutherford County,
served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, moving up the ranks to become a
commander. Trained as a civilian pilot before the war, Miller was
accepted to the naval aviation program, earning his “Wings of Gold” in
just six months and later becoming a flight instructor. He was
stationed around the globe and had two assignments at the Pentagon.
Many
teachers were honored for their achievements in education this year.
These men and women overcame great obstacles to teach the children of
Tennessee. Bonnie Sue Bradford, a patient at Northbrooke Health Care
Center, was a school teacher for many years. She started teaching at
Olive Grove School during World War II and continued teaching until
1988. She remembers when teachers went to school early to build fires
before the students arrived and oiled the floors of the school
building to keep dust down.
George
Milton Mabe, a patient at Hancock Manor Nursing Home, was an educator
for more than 30 years. He overcame great obstacles, including rowing
a boat across the river on the way to school to earn his bachelor’s
degree in education. He taught several years in a one-room school
before returning to college and becoming a school principal.
One Who’s Who honoree’s educational
achievements were not as a teacher but as a student. Nell Foust, a
patient at Westwood Health Care Center, was 72 years old when she
entered Freed-Hardeman University as a freshman. She spent many years
working in personnel management and wanted to audit an English class
but ended up pursuing her degree, taking courses in English and
computers.
Several
nurses and doctors had achievements in the field of medicine,
including many who served at the facilities where they now live. Mary
Kathleen Swafford spent 49 years working as a nurse at hospitals and
nursing homes throughout Tennessee, as her family moved for her
husband’s ministry. Her last 26 years in nursing were spent at
Jefferson County Nursing Home. She was a very hard worker and
compassionate and caring with her patients, and now the staff has the
opportunity to return that to her as a patient.
Faced with the challenge of raising her
four children alone when she became a single mother at age 33, Ethel
“Sandy” Center, a patient at Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation for
LaFollette, attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing and scored the
highest score in Tennessee at the time on her state boards. She went
on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Medical College of
Georgia, a master’s degree in nursing from Emory University and a
doctorate in public health and psychology from the University of
Tennessee.
William
McKissack, a patient at Mission Convalescent Home, was employed by the
Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) as the first African American to
visit public schools and examine children’s teeth. McKissack had
dental practices in Jackson, Gallatin and Chicago for more than 50
years. In his 60s, he was a professor of public health at Lane
College.
In
a state with a rich heritage in the entertainment industry, many men
and women in Tennessee’s nursing homes have achievements in the arts
and entertainment industry. Neil Herbert, a patient at Crestview
Health Care Center, is a lifelong musician who played lead, steel and
bass guitars, along with the electric fiddle, with the Memphis Kings
for 28 years. Herbert’s musical interests extended to designing
guitars, and his designs caught the eye of Chet Atkins and Elvis
Presley.
Lillian
Kitchens, a patient at Glen Oaks Convalescent Center, lived the dream
of many children; she ran away with the circus. She traveled all over
the United States and Canada training horses and monkeys, driving the
truck and making costumes for all the performers. She joined the Army
and became a nurse, before retiring to take care of her ailing mother
and volunteering as a tutor at her church’s school.
Virginia
Martin, a patient at Life Care Center of Collegedale, knew she wanted
to be an actress when she saw pictures from the musical “Oklahoma!”
She attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and took
singing and piano lessons. After graduation, Martin was Broadway
bound. She had roles in many Broadway shows, including “South
Pacific,” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,”
“Carmelina” and “Little Me.” Her television appearances included
“Bewitched,” “Another World” and “Search for Tomorrow.”
Whether
they were politicians or police officers, many honorees served others.
Vic Varallo, a patient at Gallatin Health Care Center, touched the
lives of thousands through his work as a coach, teacher, councilman
and community leader. He taught and coached at schools throughout
Tennessee and is a member of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic
Association Hall of Fame. Retiring from teaching did not slow him
down, and he continued to work at Varallo’s Restaurant. He got
involved with politics and served two terms on the Metropolitan
Council of Nashville and Davidson County. He also served on the
Metropolitan Board of Education and on the boards of several community
groups. Varallo also served our country during World War II and the
Korean War.
Paul Calloway, a patient at Life Care
Center of Missionary Ridge, worked his way through the ranks of the
Chattanooga Police Department to become a captain in 1986. During his
32 years on the force, he worked with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) to capture and arrest a bank robber and recover
$50,000. He was commander of the juvenile division for seven years and
served as the Safe School coordinator. After his retirement from the
police department in 1997, he served as a juvenile court officer until
2002. His daughters have established an educational schoolarship to
honor their father’s legacy in service to the community.
James
Russ Davidson, a patient at Wayne County Nursing Home, spent many
years working as a public servant. He was a Wayne County Judge from
1968-74, and he was responsible for persuading the county to establish
Wayne County Nursing Home. He also served as election registrar from
1974 until 1978, when he retired to his farm to raise cattle, maintain
a plant nursery and make furniture. Davidson was manager of the Wayne
Farmers Cooperative from 1956 to 1966, and he worked on various
government farm and construction projects over the years.
These are just a few of the “Golden
Achievements” of the 2007 Who’s Who honorees. The 102 men and women
who participated in the program this year have opened their treasure
chests and shared their riches not only with their communities but
with everyone whose lives they have touched over the years.
Donald
George Miller, a patient at Community Care of Rutherford County,
served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, moving up the ranks to become a
commander. Trained as a civilian pilot before the war, Miller was
accepted to the naval aviation program, earning his “Wings of Gold” in
just six months and later becoming a flight instructor. He was
stationed around the globe and had two assignments at the Pentagon. 
Many
teachers were honored for their achievements in education this year.
These men and women overcame great obstacles to teach the children of
Tennessee. Bonnie Sue Bradford, a patient at Northbrooke Health Care
Center, was a school teacher for many years. She started teaching at
Olive Grove School during World War II and continued teaching until
1988. She remembers when teachers went to school early to build fires
before the students arrived and oiled the floors of the school
building to keep dust down. 
George
Milton Mabe, a patient at Hancock Manor Nursing Home, was an educator
for more than 30 years. He overcame great obstacles, including rowing
a boat across the river on the way to school to earn his bachelor’s
degree in education. He taught several years in a one-room school
before returning to college and becoming a school principal. 
Several
nurses and doctors had achievements in the field of medicine,
including many who served at the facilities where they now live. Mary
Kathleen Swafford spent 49 years working as a nurse at hospitals and
nursing homes throughout Tennessee, as her family moved for her
husband’s ministry. Her last 26 years in nursing were spent at
Jefferson County Nursing Home. She was a very hard worker and
compassionate and caring with her patients, and now the staff has the
opportunity to return that to her as a patient. 
William
McKissack, a patient at Mission Convalescent Home, was employed by the
Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) as the first African American to
visit public schools and examine children’s teeth. McKissack had
dental practices in Jackson, Gallatin and Chicago for more than 50
years. In his 60s, he was a professor of public health at Lane
College. 
In
a state with a rich heritage in the entertainment industry, many men
and women in Tennessee’s nursing homes have achievements in the arts
and entertainment industry. Neil Herbert, a patient at Crestview
Health Care Center, is a lifelong musician who played lead, steel and
bass guitars, along with the electric fiddle, with the Memphis Kings
for 28 years. Herbert’s musical interests extended to designing
guitars, and his designs caught the eye of Chet Atkins and Elvis
Presley. 
Lillian
Kitchens, a patient at Glen Oaks Convalescent Center, lived the dream
of many children; she ran away with the circus. She traveled all over
the United States and Canada training horses and monkeys, driving the
truck and making costumes for all the performers. She joined the Army
and became a nurse, before retiring to take care of her ailing mother
and volunteering as a tutor at her church’s school. 
Whether
they were politicians or police officers, many honorees served others.
Vic Varallo, a patient at Gallatin Health Care Center, touched the
lives of thousands through his work as a coach, teacher, councilman
and community leader. He taught and coached at schools throughout
Tennessee and is a member of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic
Association Hall of Fame. Retiring from teaching did not slow him
down, and he continued to work at Varallo’s Restaurant. He got
involved with politics and served two terms on the Metropolitan
Council of Nashville and Davidson County. He also served on the
Metropolitan Board of Education and on the boards of several community
groups. Varallo also served our country during World War II and the
Korean War. 
James
Russ Davidson, a patient at Wayne County Nursing Home, spent many
years working as a public servant. He was a Wayne County Judge from
1968-74, and he was responsible for persuading the county to establish
Wayne County Nursing Home. He also served as election registrar from
1974 until 1978, when he retired to his farm to raise cattle, maintain
a plant nursery and make furniture. Davidson was manager of the Wayne
Farmers Cooperative from 1956 to 1966, and he worked on various
government farm and construction projects over the years.