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We have a lot of buildings in Andrews that are sentimental to those who grew up here. One of those buildings was the Valley River Clinic, where Dr. Charles VanGorder, Dr. John Rodda and Dr. Floyd Blalock worked tirelessly to provide healthcare to the local folks.
It sat beside the District Memorial Hospital, which was torn down after Murphy Medical Center purchased the property, much to our dismay. The Andrews Hospital was a beacon of hope for those who were sick or needed surgery and could not travel to the city. Dr. VanGorder was one of the best surgeons this side of Asheville, as was Dr. Rodda, so there was no need to travel for excellent healthcare.
The three doctors would see patients at the clinic and walk across the lawn to make “rounds” at the
hospital. I remember Dr. Rodda treating me at the clinic for tonsillitis when I was a little girl, and he seemed very serious. He was very kind but strictly professional, and some of the older ladies thought he looked like Rhett Butler, including my mother. Dr. VanGorder said many times that John Rodda was the best diagnostician he had ever seen in the medical field.
Dr. Blalock was the sweetest person. He was quiet and considerate, and always made you feel at ease. Dr. VanGorder was the “cut-up” he kept something going all the time. He also saw patients who had no insurance in the back parking lot at the rear entrance of the hospital as he made his way to check his patients. In return those folks would leave him bushels of green beans, tomatoes and potatoes just inside the back door near the timeclock.
Dan Hawk was the x-ray and the lab technician. The ladies who worked in the office were Mary Willie Gentry, Doris Wilson and Debbie Piercy.
The clinic nurses were Dorcas Brooks, Sue Hicks and Betty Mosteller, who was a character you could not forget. Betty kept everyone laughing.
I remember I went with my Dad, whose name was Leon, to get a work physical. We were sitting in the lobby by the large windows, and Betty came out and said, “Come on in here, Leo, and let’s see how your water works.” It was so funny because my Dad was quiet and embarrassed easily, but you never knew what Betty would say.
These three doctors made a difference in the life of this community. Although this small town was somewhat secluded from the world, we had excellent health care, and people from three states came to District Memorial Hospital because of these exceptional doctors. It there has ever been anyone who deserved a bridge named after them, it was Dr. Charles VanGorder, Dr. John Rodda and Dr. Floyd Blalock. They offered the ultimate “bridge” to the health and wellbeing for all of us.
Robin Sargent is currently remodeling the Valley River Clinic building for his real estate office, and we can’t wait to see the changes.
Kandy Barnard is a columnist for the Cherokee Scout. To talk about the Andrews Valley, call her at 361-3268 or email kandybarnard@gmail.com.