Summer 2015

Patricia is the picture of serenity,with a quiet voice, carefullychosen words, and a poised andcalm demeanor. Inside, however,she literally vibrates with the joyand excitement of her faith, andit doesn’t take much for that joy toburst forth in loud exclamationsof praise or tears of gratitude.When Patricia found out recentlythat Bethesda Health Clinic wasgoing to be able to fix herseverely damaged front teeth,she literally screamed. “I was sohappy I told the staff I felt likeshouting for joy, and they said,‘go right ahead!’, so I did!” sheexclaimed. “I wanted everyoneto know how GOOD God is,and how GOOD Bethesda is!”

Bethesda has been a part ofPatricia’s life for many years. Whenshe was new to Tyler, she heardabout the clinic from a co-workerand at first didn’t believe such aplace was real. “The first time Icame, everyone was so nice, soreal. They treated me so nicelyand didn’t make me feel like Iwas ‘less than.’ I’ve been treatedas ‘less than’ before, and I knowwhat that feels like,” she said.

In 2007, Bethesda helped Patriciaobtain the back surgery she haddesperately needed for a long

time. “Right before my surgery,Dr. Todd Raabe said to me,‘Before we start, can I pray withyou?’ I knew then that I was in theright hands… God’s hands andDr. Raabe’s hands.”

Though she felt much betterphysically, Patricia had anotherproblem that had plagued herfor many years. Her front teethwere severely damaged andterribly unsightly. “I grew up poorand I never went to the dentist,”she said. “No one taught meabout taking care of my teeth.”Ashamed of her appearance,Patricia rarely smiled. Herself-esteem was as damaged asher teeth, and this affected herpersonally and professionally.

Finally Patricia took her problemwhere she had taken herproblems before… to the Lord.“I just said, ‘God, here I am,trusting you again,’ and He toldme to go to Bethesda. When thedentist examined me and heardmy story, he said, ‘Go talk toDonnie (Donnie Gaines) andlet’s see what we can do for you.”

That Sunday, the prophet at herchurch told Patricia that in threedays she would have favor.

Continued on page 2.

IN THEHANDSOFANGELS

TOUCH OF

“Touch of Grace” greets everyone whoenters Bethesda Health Clinic with herbeauty and symbolism of hope, faithand the constant presence of God.

Created by artist Cassie Edmonds,the beautiful mosaic depicts theangel stirring the waters of the poolof Bethesda as described in thebook of John, the inspiration for thenaming of Bethesda Health Clinic.

Painstakingly crafted by Ms. Edmondsover months and months, the mosaicincorporates natural stones, glass,antique jewelry, and pieces of shellinto a breathtaking design.

“Touch of Grace” was underwrittenby a donor who loved the vision ofhaving something beautiful to greetpatients as they entered the building.Ms. Edmonds caught the visionand poured her heart and soul intothe project, donating much of hertime and creativity as her own giftto Bethesda.

“Touch of Grace” is Ms. Edmond’sfirst commercial installation, thoughshe has a significant following fromprivate collectors. Her portfolio canbe found through her website,cassieedmondsmosaics.com.

GRACE“I kept thinking, ‘What does thatmean?’” Patricia said. “What does‘favor’ look like?” And then shereceived a call from Donnie to comeback to the clinic for another visit withthe dentist. “Could this be the ‘favor,’the good news that I had beenwaiting for?” she questioned.

At Bethesda, the dentist took a longtime explaining in detail to Patricia thelengthy process she would have to gothrough. Donnie had turned to thepatient adoption fund to secure themeans to provide this “above andbeyond care” for Patricia. “We don’twant you to be embarrassed anymore,”the dentist told her. “When we arefinished, you will be beautiful again.”

“That’s when I told them I felt likeshouting for joy,” said Patricia, “andthey said ‘Go ahead!”

I hope I didn’t scare anyone, but I wasso, so happy!”

Patricia’s first priority has always beento be a role model for her 11 year olddaughter. “We’ve been through a lottogether, so I call her ‘Soldier’. She’s alittle soldier to me, and now the namehas stuck,” says Patricia. “Everyonecalls her ‘Soldier’ and it suits her.”

Soldier has always told her mother thatshe is beautiful, and now Patricia isbeginning to believe that beauty andconfidence are really a possibility in herfuture. “God showed up in the peopleHe’s put in my life,” says Patricia. “Heshowed up in the people of Bethesda.It’s a miracle. It really is. And I still feellike shouting!”

She’s a powerful presence.

Continued from front page.

Angels are truly among us, and therecent expansion at Bethesda HealthClinic is proof of their divine presence!

Generous friends and supporters ofBethesda, our “Architectural Angels,”have enabled Bethesda to significantlyrenovate and expand the clinic. Thenew David F. Nichols, D.D.S. DentalClinic and the renovated Harold B.Cameron, M.D. Medical Clinic are nowopen, giving Bethesda Health Clinicthe capacity to serve more patientsthan ever before.

Dedicated in honor of Dr. David Nicholsand in memory of Edith Books, theDavid. F. Nichols, D.D.S. Dental Clinicnow has five dental chairs in a spacioussetting, state-of-the-art equipment,sleek cabinetry, new computermonitors and (something the staff isvery appreciative of) windows whichoverlook the prayer garden next door.

The medical clinic renovation,named in honor of the late Dr. HaroldCameron, added three more examrooms (for a total of 12), additionalspaces for patient education, aglassed-in consultation area anda repurposed exam room whichcan now accommodate gurneysfor GI patients.

New administrative offices were addedto the front of the building, as well as aconference room for small groupmeetings, presentations and patienteducation. Artwork entitled “Genesis”created by Bethesda IT director, DonBristow, spans a wall and stimulatescreative thinking.

Bethesda’s “Architectural Angels”caught the vision for the expansion ofthe clinic, and their gifts and prayersbrought it to fruition. How grateful we arefor the presence of “angels among us.”

“For the Angel went down...

And stirred up the water.”

AngelsDarla Bennett

Julietta Jarvis Foundation

Tom and June Lowery

The Rogers Foundation

Herb and Melvina Buie

First Baptist Church

John and Judy Soules

“In memory of my beloved husbandBill Castleberry,” Beverly

Architectural

A.W. Riter, Jr. Family Foundation

Brookshire Grocery Company

ANGELSAMONG US

Brenda and Hal Cameron, Eleanor Cameron

Diane Thomason, Cassie Edmonds, Darla Bennett

“Hal (Hal B. Cameron, Jr. and his family) andI are so pleased to see Harold honored byhaving his name on the new addition toBethesda. Receiving the Doctor Luke Awardwas one of the highlights of Harold’s long

career. Now, since his death, we appreciatethe special recognition of his hard work,long hours, and his dedication and lifetimecommitment to caring for patientsregardless of economic status.”

Eleanor Cameron

“My mother held a special place in her heartfor people who were suffering from dentaldisease but could not afford dental care.It is a great joy to honor the desires of herheart by helping to provide a place ofhealing for many deserving people in need.”

Darla Bennett

BETHESDA OPEN HOUSE

Angels are Bright

Drs. William Chambers, Wayne Propst, Ben Bridges

Fritter and Mike McNally

Melvina and Herb Buie

Sheryl Palmer, Sue Saxenmeyer, Brenda Cameron

Kimberly Abeldt, Teri Sawyer

BETHESDA OPEN HOUSE

Lights in the Midst of our Lives!

Eleanor Cameron, Cassie Edmonds

June and Dr. Tom Lowery, Pam Van Meter

Larry and Kat Stokes, Kay and Barry Jones

Dr. Craig and Catherine Harrison, Judy and John Soules

Debra Johnston, Sandy King, Darla Bennett, Eleanor Stringer

Check presentation from FRESH15. Back row: Caroline Brookshire,Trent Brookshire, Brad Brookshire, Brent Nelson, Rebecca Sanders,Don Gaynier. Bottom row – Megan Riaz, Dr. John English, Sheri Satterwhite

ANGELSON A MISSION

To say that David Nichols, D.D.S.is happy about the new dentalclinic at Bethesda Health Clinicis an understatement. He isthrilled! That the space hasbeautiful, new, state of the artequipment and is easy to workin are all well and good, butthere is only one thing thatreally matters to Dr. Nichols –the new dental clinic enablesBethesda’s dental staffand volunteers to servemore patients.

Serving more patients andoffering them the very best indental care are the only thingsthat have mattered to DavidNichols since he first becameassociated with Bethesda HealthClinic. And Dr. Nichols has beenassociated with the clinic sincebefore it even began.

It was Dr. Nichols and Dr. ChipSwinney who gathered up thefirst donated dental equipmentfor Bethesda more than ten yearsago. At first, Dr. Nichols,Dr. Swinney and other volunteersprovided dental services, usingwell worn equipment in a singledental room. Now, in theexpanded and renovated space,

two staff dentists, a full - timedental hygienist, and threedental assistants workalongside volunteer dentistsand assistants. They have thecapacity to care for 50% morepatients than before.

The clinic’s emphasis remainson treating patients with painand infection, and providingroutine care. Patient educationand dental hygiene services arean important component of thecare offered in this friendly,family-like environment. “Somany adults were just nevertaught to take care of their teeth,”says Dr. Nichols, “and they paythe price for that later in life.”

There is only one thing aboutthe new space that Dr. Nicholsis not thrilled about: his name in“great big letters” at the dentalclinic’s entrance. This humble,self -effacing man who has liveda life of Christian service, is notone to call attention to himself.“Oh, I’m honored,” he says.“Don’t get me wrong. But thisis not MY dental clinic. Thisclinic belongs to the communityand it belongs to God.”

Dr. David Nichols with a patient, Cristal Lemus, and Sandra DeAlejandro

Bethesda Dental Staff

A NOTEFROMJOHNStirring the WatersWe’ve always had a thing about angelsat Bethesda Health Clinic.

The clinic’s name comes from thebook of John, in which an angel isdescribed as stirring the healing watersof Bethesda. The story’s symbolism stillstrikes a chord. Bethesda Health Clinicis a healing place, like the ancient poolof Bethesda, and the healing thatoccurs at Bethesda has been madepossible through the years by so manyangels who have “stirred the waters”of Bethesda Health Clinic.

This newsletter abounds with stories ofangels: David Nichols, D.D S., HaroldCameron, M.D., the “ArchitecturalAngels” whose gifts made the recentbuilding expansion possible, and thestunning artwork of Cassie Edmonds,a “Touch of Grace,” that now greets allwho enter the clinic. Each of you, ourfriends, donors and volunteers, areangels who continue to stir the watersof Bethesda, making healing and hopepossible for all who turn to us for care.

We are very grateful to have “angelsamong us” at Bethesda Health Clinic.

Nancy Grant wanted her granddaughter to see “Touch of Grace,”the exquisite angel who now greets everyone who enters BethesdaHealth Clinic. Together, they marveled at the beautiful mosaic, withits intricate design. Nancy, who has been a Bethesda volunteer formany years, carefully explained to Lauren, age 4, the idea of anangel watching over Bethesda, its patients, staff and volunteers.

Inspired by what she saw, Lauren had an idea. She wanted hergrandmother to have an angel too, an angel who would watch overher, especially when she was doing her volunteer work at Bethesda.

Lauren’s angel now watches over Nancy, one angel leading toanother, a grandmother teaching her granddaughter aboutGod’s presence in our lives.

ANGELONE

LEADS TO ANOTHER

409 W. FergusonTyler, TX 75702

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To learn more aboutthese events orBethesda Health Clinic,contact us at:409 W. FergusonTyler, TX 75702903.596.8353www.bethesdaclinic.org

Board of DirectorsBarry JonesPresidentTom Lowery, M.D.Vice-PresidentPatty SteelmanSecretaryRich KnarrTreasurer

Verna HallJerre IversenFritter McNallyJohn MerrillDavid Nichols, D.D.S.Mike RostisRebecca SandersSue SaxenmeyerKristen SeeberH. Don Smith, M.D.Ramsey StarksCharles Stone, D.D.S.Todd TuttJoseph Woelkers

Todd Raabe, M.D.Board Emeritus

Rev. Pat MalloryBoard Emeritus

John English, M.D.CEO / Medical Director

Advisory CouncilKen DanceChair

Maxey Abernathy, M.D.Harold BeairdBen Bridges, M.D.Jerry CaddyTracy CrawfordSam Houston, M.D.John MintonMac MoseleyRon Pinkenburg, M.D.Rev. Paul PowellJohn SoulesWilliam Starling, M.D.Pat Thomas, M.D.

Publication BoardDiane ThomasonManaging Editor

Graphic DesignAutry DesignPhotographyDon BristowFrancie Batten Hodges