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 Why we serve here...
Isaiah 58
Our Ministry Statement
Our History
More About Our Providers
 A Look at Appalachia
The majestic Appalachian Mountains span 13 states from New York to Mississippi and are home to 23 million people. The beauty and splendor of these mountains change with the seasons offering breath-taking scenes of colors and landscapes. Yet the grandeur of the mountains cannot hide the history of the hardships and sufferings of its people. Even today, 1 in 6 people live in poverty.
Appalachian poverty is legendary in many ways, and the roots of this depression are far too complex to summarize here. Suffice it to say, the poverty is real and oppressive. Unemployment is high. Many have lost hope that anything they do will improve their situation in any way. Children are the most vulnerable victims as they sometimes suffer from hunger, malnutrition, and broken families.
Dayspring exists to address the health care consequences associated with this reality. Sensing a call to serve vulnerable and marginalized communities, our staff members view their work as ministry. Although there are many challenges to such a ministry, we have all found our work to have rich rewards as well.
A Look At Our Community
With a population of 2500, Jellico is a small town nestled between hills, boasting its own library, a state park, grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants. Daily interactions at these venues, weekend festivals, children’s sporting events, and other social events bring our community together.
We are 15 minutes away from the University of the Cumberlands which offers our community cultural, athletic and educational opportunities. We are only one hour away from Knoxville, which has all the conveniences of a big city.
Our Clinics and Our Hospital Who Are We
 Dayspring consists of three outpatient clinics which provide full spectrum family health care. Along with providing routine primary care, we offer obstetric and gynecological ultrasound, colposcopy, cryosurgery, vasectomies and other office procedures.
Our physicians admit to Jellico Community Hospital (a 54-bed hospital operated by Adventist Health System). We provide obstetrical services including cesarean sections and tubal ligations. Our hospital has a 4-bed ICU to which our physicians admit patients. In the past few years, the hospital has completed a $3 million dollar expansion program that includes a new emergency department, labor and delivery area (with four LDRPs), and surgical department. The hospital has also recently added “state of the art” CT and MRI services. In addition, we have an 80-bed nursing home in Jellico to which our physicians admit patients.
Who Are We?
Dayspring Family Health Center exists for the purpose of providing quality primary health care to the residents of our communities with a special emphasis on convenient, accessible, affordable care for the poor and underserved. We are a non-profit community health center governed by a board of directors consisting of members of the communities we serve. We are funded partially by the federal government through the U.S. Public Health Service and partially by revenues generated through patient care. We have recruited a medical staff from various states and backgrounds to fulfill our mission to provide high-quality, comprehensive healthcare to a community with great needs.
 About Our Patients
- Travel from four counties in TN and KY
- 30-40,000 on-site medical encounters per year.
- 30-40% of our patient population live at or below the federal poverty level.
- Estimated unemployment range from 10-20%.
- Approximately 40% are covered by Kentucky Medicaid and TennCare (Tennessee’s Medicaid replacement), 15% by Medicare, and 20% have some other insurance. The remaining 25% do not have any insurance.
About Our Practice
Three clinics providing full spectrum family health care including:
Adult Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Geriatric Care, Routine OB Care, Gyn Consultations, OB/Gyn Ultrasounds, Abnormal Pap Smear management including Colposcopy and LEEP, Family Planning including IUD placement, female sterilization and vasectomies for men, Routine Office Procedures (joint injections, biopsies, wart removals), Lab Testing
 Our Life Together
All of the physicians and mid-levels have come to Dayspring from various Christian traditions desiring to love God and to serve the poor. We value the importance of unity and fellowship. Many members of our medical staff meet for breakfast each week to pray together and discuss pertinent issues related to work and our faith. On Wednesday nights, some of our families meet in each other’s homes to share our lives through worship and Scripture study.
Our Children’s Schooling
The public schools in Jellico and Williamsburg, KY are solid opportunities for younger children. The Seventh Day Adventist church school in Jellico is also a very strong option through the eighth grade.
Many members of our medical staff have chosen to homeschool their children. A strong network of homeschooling parents and creative cooperative programs provide invaluable resources for those who have chosen this option.
During the middle and high school years, parents have chosen between the local public high schools and continuing to home school. High school students in their junior and senior years can take classes at the University of the Cumberlands (for a fraction of the regular tuition) and receive dual credit - both high school and college.
Our children have also enjoyed various athletic opportunities outside of the school system through Little League, basketball leagues, soccer camps, swim teams, and ballet lessons. Other activities for our children in this area include, Boy’s and Girl’s Scouts, Awana Clubs, and the community choir.
 Where We Live
Our current physicians have chosen to live in Jellico, near the hospital. This allows them to be home more when they are on call. Living in Williamsburg is also an option and presents many attractive benefits.
The cost of living in this area is 28% lower than the US average, mainly due to low housing costs. Housing options include buying, renting, or building a home
More About Our Providers
Jim and Heather Killian came to Jellico in 2000 after Jim completed his FP residency in Beaver, PA. Jim grew up near Chicago and received his MD from the University of IL. Heather is from western PA and met Jim during their undergraduate studies at Wheaton College. They spend their spare time exploring with their three children: Bryan, Katherine and Jason, as well as reading, traveling, and visiting with friends and family.
Geogy and Jessie Thomas joined Dayspring in 2000. Geogy is originally from Illinois, received his MD from the University of IL, and finished his Family Practice training at Ventura, CA. Jessie was raised in New York. She homeschools their three children, Jonathan, Jessica and Joseph. The Thomas’ are active in their church’s leadership and college ministry. They enjoy traveling, hiking, and fine foods.
Matt and Kim Rafalski have been a part of Dayspring since 2002. Originally from the New Jersey/Pennsylvania area, they have trained and served in Appalachia since 1996. They have 5 children, Kate, Lily, Ben, Noah and James. In addition to homeschooling, the children play piano, violin, and participate in competitive swimming. They attend a Presbyterian congregation about 40 minutes away. Free time is filled with swimming, gardening, and traveling to visit family.
John and Jennifer Boll joined Dayspring in 2002. John is from Lancaster, PA. He attended Messiah College and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He and Jennifer met and married in Philadelphia. They moved to Jellico after John completed residency in Williamsport, PA. Their five children, Lora, Ellen, Rachel, John Andrew and Joshua are homeschooled and enjoy violin lessons, singing in a children’s chorale, and playing soccer. They love hanging out with friends, gardening, hiking and visiting McKay’s Used Books in Knoxville.
Cathleen Suto, MD came to Dayspring in 2008 as our first OB/Gyn provider. She came to Jellico after serving on active duty as an OB/Gyn in the United States Air Force for eight years. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Willford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, TX and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Carena Chai joined Dayspring in 2007. She hails from both Owensboro, Kentucky and Houston, Texas and considers both home. She attended Baylor University and UNTHSC-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. She moved to Jellico after completing residency at JPS in Fort Worth, Texas. She enjoys hanging out with friends, gardening, swimming and home renovations.
Deborah and Bob Terry have lived in the Clairfield community since 1993. Deborah works as a Physician Assistant at Clear Fork Clinic. Bob is a Baptist minister and pastors a church. They stay busy raising their 4 children and being quite active in their church and community.
Sarah and Matt McQueen moved to Jellico in August of 2008. Both attended the University of the Cumberlands(UC) in Williamsburg, KY and so are excited to return to this community and serve. Matt currently works in admissions at UC and Sarah works as a Physician’s Assistant primarily at Indian Mountain Clinic. They are both actively involved with their church and are enjoying parenting.
Cindy and John Chadwell have lived in Jellico since 2007. Cindy works as a Nurse Practitioner at our Cumberland River and Indian Mountain Clinics. John is busy carpooling their four children and working on classic automobiles. They enjoy cooking together, camping, gardening and hosting international students.
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