Walking into this practice, you'll immediately sense something different from the tense, territorial atmosphere that poisons many medical groups. Here, you'll join colleagues who genuinely support each other's success, regularly gathering for morning prayers (participation optional but welcomed) and maintaining open communication that prevents the misunderstandings and resentments that fracture other practices. The team dynamic reflects Dr. Richard Love's 28-year commitment to building not just a medical practice but a professional family where physicians celebrate each other's victories and provide coverage without keeping score. This is a place where "let me help you with that difficult case" is heard far more often than "that's not my patient."
At the heart of the practice stands Dr. Richard Love, whose three decades of service to Sevier County have made him a beloved figure in the community and a wealth of clinical wisdom for colleagues. Despite his seniority and established reputation, Dr. Love maintains remarkable humility and openness to new approaches – he recently implemented several evidence-based protocols suggested by younger colleagues and actively seeks input on practice improvements. His deep roots in the community (he's delivered babies who are now having babies of their own) provide invaluable continuity and trust that benefit the entire practice. You'll find in him not just a colleague but a mentor who remembers the challenges of building a practice and goes out of his way to smooth the path for newcomers.
Dr. Chris Hayes will join the practice in July 2025, bringing fresh military medical experience and infectious enthusiasm for serving this community. His recruitment process revealed someone who values mission over money – when his wife learned about the area's needs, she simply said, "If that's where the Lord is leading, that's where we're going." His addition demonstrates the practice's ability to attract physicians who prioritize purpose and community impact over purely financial considerations.
The two certified nurse midwives represent a recent but transformative addition to the team, having joined within the past six months. Both former labor and delivery nurses from this very hospital, they bring intimate knowledge of the unit's workflows and established relationships with nursing staff that facilitate smooth deliveries. Trained from the ground up in this system's protocols, they practice collaborative midwifery that respects physician oversight while managing routine labor with expertise that allows you to rest during quiet call nights. Their presence has already improved call quality of life, as they handle initial triage and routine labor management while keeping you informed of any developments requiring physician intervention.
Behind your clinical success stands an exceptional support team led by Jessica Love, the practice manager who brings both family connection (she's Dr. Love's sister-in-law) and extensive OBGYN management experience. Her 12-year tenure has created operational excellence that physicians rarely experience – scheduling that actually makes sense, prior authorizations that get completed without your involvement, and billing processes that maximize reimbursement while maintaining compliance. The office staff, many with years of experience in women's health, anticipate patient needs and physician preferences, creating the kind of efficiency that lets you focus on medicine rather than administration.
The labor and delivery nursing team represents one of the practice's greatest assets. With many nurses boasting decades of experience at this facility, they've developed an almost intuitive understanding of obstetric emergencies and physician preferences. They're the ones who will have the exact instrument ready before you ask for it during a difficult delivery, who can identify concerning fetal heart patterns that less experienced nurses might miss, and who provide the kind of support during emergency cesareans that makes you feel like you're operating at a major academic center rather than a community hospital.
What speaks volumes about this workplace is the remarkable staff retention – in an era where healthcare workers hop between facilities chasing marginal pay increases, this team stays. The labor and delivery unit includes nurses with 20+ years at this hospital, medical assistants who've supported the practice for over a decade, and administrative staff who view their work as a calling rather than just a job. This longevity creates institutional knowledge that can't be replicated and a cohesiveness that makes even challenging days manageable.
The practice embraces a faith-friendly environment that respects diverse beliefs while acknowledging the spiritual dimension of healthcare. Optional morning prayer gatherings provide spiritual grounding for those who participate, while the broader culture emphasizes compassion, service, and treating both patients and colleagues with dignity. This values-based approach attracts staff who view healthcare as ministry, creating an atmosphere where everyone from the front desk to the operating room shares a commitment to exceptional patient care.
Unlike practices where specialists operate in silos, you'll experience genuine collaboration with other departments. General surgeons respond promptly when you need assistance with complex adhesions or bowel injury during gynecologic surgery. Anesthesiologists who understand obstetric physiology provide expert support for high-risk deliveries. Emergency physicians have established protocols for fetal monitoring from the ER, respecting your expertise while ensuring patients receive appropriate triage. This isn't the turf-war environment common in many hospitals – it's a place where specialists recognize their interdependence and prioritize patient care over ego.
The practice actively plans for sustainable growth, with administration committed to reaching four full-time physicians to ensure manageable call schedules and practice stability. The recent partnership with OB Hospitalist Group, providing 22 days of monthly coverage, demonstrates innovative thinking about staffing solutions. This isn't a practice content with the status quo – it's one actively evolving to meet community needs while preserving physician wellbeing. Your input will help shape future recruitment, determining whether to add additional midwives, expand nurse practitioner roles, or develop subspecialty services.
Joining this team means becoming part of something larger than yourself – a practice that has served as the cornerstone of women's health in Sevier County for decades and will continue that legacy long after any individual physician retires. You'll find colleagues who become friends, staff who anticipate your needs, and a collaborative environment where your success is everyone's priority.