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WZTV FOX 17 - Top Stories
If practice makes perfect, Dr. Byron Harbolt should have it down. He's been practicing family medicine in Grundy County for over 50 years, and unlike most of his colleagues, he doesn't accept insurance and he still makes an occasional house call. Just off Hwy 56 in Altamont is a tiny sign pointing the way to a sort of healthcare oasis - the Cathedral Canyon Clinic.
"He's cheap but he's not a cheap doctor," says patient Carolyn Shipley.
It's where 89 year old Dr. Byron Harbolt sees patients without regard for their ability to pay.
"I put more stress on what I can do to help 'em than I do seeing how much money I can make out of 'em," says Dr. Harbolt.
Most patients pay less than $20 for an office visit, partly because Dr. Harbolt keeps his overhead so low. The office looks pretty much like it did when he took over the practice in the early 1960s. The equipment is old, but it all still works, and there are no computers.
"I don't want one," says Dr. Harbolt's assistant Sue Dyer. "What would I do if the electricity went off?"
Most of the patients there don't have health insurance. Dr. Harbolt is all they can afford, but they believe the care is first rate. Doctoring with a personal touch. Stephen Frederick is there for his blood pressure.
"You know he's a vegetarian, you know I get lectured a lot on eating meat when I come out here," says Frederick. "I just love him."
Pam Myers delivered 2 children in the office. While he doesn't do it anymore, Dr. Harbolt is proud of the roughly 5000 babies who got their start there. Most of their names are in his book.
"Everybody loves him," says Myers. "I mean, he does whatever he can for everybody."
Dr. Harbolt, who also dispenses generic drugs at bargain prices, says treating patients is an honor. In spite of his old-fashioned practice, Dr. Harbolt will tell you he has done well.
"I would say that you know - you don't have to rob people to make a good living," says Dr. Harbolt. "I know that."
So beloved is Dr. Harbolt in Grundy County that 5 years ago when his car was stolen and destroyed in a crash, residents collected enough money to buy him a brand new car in just 12 days. It's the only new car he ever owned and he's still driving it.
"He's cheap but he's not a cheap doctor," says patient Carolyn Shipley.
It's where 89 year old Dr. Byron Harbolt sees patients without regard for their ability to pay.
"I put more stress on what I can do to help 'em than I do seeing how much money I can make out of 'em," says Dr. Harbolt.
Most patients pay less than $20 for an office visit, partly because Dr. Harbolt keeps his overhead so low. The office looks pretty much like it did when he took over the practice in the early 1960s. The equipment is old, but it all still works, and there are no computers.
"I don't want one," says Dr. Harbolt's assistant Sue Dyer. "What would I do if the electricity went off?"
Most of the patients there don't have health insurance. Dr. Harbolt is all they can afford, but they believe the care is first rate. Doctoring with a personal touch. Stephen Frederick is there for his blood pressure.
"You know he's a vegetarian, you know I get lectured a lot on eating meat when I come out here," says Frederick. "I just love him."
Pam Myers delivered 2 children in the office. While he doesn't do it anymore, Dr. Harbolt is proud of the roughly 5000 babies who got their start there. Most of their names are in his book.
"Everybody loves him," says Myers. "I mean, he does whatever he can for everybody."
Dr. Harbolt, who also dispenses generic drugs at bargain prices, says treating patients is an honor. In spite of his old-fashioned practice, Dr. Harbolt will tell you he has done well.
"I would say that you know - you don't have to rob people to make a good living," says Dr. Harbolt. "I know that."
So beloved is Dr. Harbolt in Grundy County that 5 years ago when his car was stolen and destroyed in a crash, residents collected enough money to buy him a brand new car in just 12 days. It's the only new car he ever owned and he's still driving it.
Tuesday, September 4 2012, 08:47 PM CDT
Tennessee News
Prince Edward presents Edinburgh's awards in Tenn.
May 23, 2013 22:00 GMT
By ERIK SCHELZIG Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Queen Elizabeth's youngest son, Prince Edward, is visiting Tennessee to promote one of the British royal family's charities, the Duke of Edinburgh's awards.
The prince presided over an awards ceremony at the governor's mansion in Nashville on Thursday for the first batch of young Tennesseans to participate in the leadership and character program.
About 80 youths received the award by participating in community service, skills development, physical fitness and adventurous journeys through the Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, LEAD Academy, Montgomery Bell Academy or the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Organization.
Following the event, Gov. Bill Haslam and first lady Crissy Haslam invited the awardees and their families to tea inside the governor's residence. Later on Thursday, the prince was scheduled to headline a black-tie gala at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville.
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