About Pastoral Care

History

Baptist Hospital of East Tennessee is celebrating 50 years of serving the community of East Tennessee with quality healthcare. Part of the vision of hospital has always been to provide for the spiritual and emotional needs of our staff and guests. The first hospital chaplain in Knoxville was our own T.C. Wyatt. Rev. Wyatt was among the small group of visionaries to first "insist on Baptist." Wyatt, then pastor of McCalla Avenue Baptist Church here in Knoxville, believed that having our own Baptist Hospital was a large ambition but certainly not unreasonable. At that time, the country's feeling of optimism about healthcare was coupled with a great respect for the church and its leaders. T.C. Wyatt represented both as a gifted speaker with a passion for making quality healthcare accessible. Rev. Wyatt took a leave of absence from McCalla Avenue Baptist Church in September of 1944 to accept a position as full-time Field Representative for the hospital.

As Field Representative, he visited many of the churches of East Tennessee and within three months had raised more than $74,000 in new pledges. As one Board Member reflected, "Brother Wyatt is an ambassador of good will for the whole hospital program throughout East Tennessee." He made a person feel equal to the project whether that person gave ten cents or a thousand dollars. T.C Wyatt traveled hundreds of miles to collect the nickels and dimes that became Baptist Hospital.

In the fifty years since, the ministry of this department has seen many changes, one of which is this electronic ministry which you are currently accessing in your home or office. We have also experienced our share of challenges. But remaining constant has been the Hospital's commitment to provide quality Pastoral Care to its community.