Donny Faulk has been calling balls and strikes in Rutherford County since 1977. If you’ve spent any time at a baseball or softball field around here, you’ve probably heard his voice behind the plate. And come December, there’s a good chance you’ve seen him somewhere else too… in a red suit, answering to “Santa.” So when a diabetic foot ulcer turned into a serious bone infection, it wasn’t just about a wound. It was about everything Donny loves doing and the people who count on him to keep showing up. Donny already knew exactly who he trusted with his care. He had seen Dr. Teslow before and wasn’t about to let something like a clinic change get in the way. He followed her to MMC without hesitation. In the meantime, he teamed up with Dr. Rickertsen to keep things moving in the right direction until she could take over. What followed wasn’t easy. Managing a diabetic wound is serious work, and in Donny’s case, it meant long days, careful monitoring, and a lot of determination on both sides. Despite every effort, he did lose his pinky toe. But that’s not the story. The story is that he kept his foot. Today, Donny is healed and back where he belongs, on the field and in the community, doing what he’s done for decades. Ask him who gets the credit, and he won’t hesitate. “Dr. Teslow saved my foot,” he’ll tell you. “Now her husband, Dr. Rickertsen… he’s an okay guy. But not as good as she is.” We’ll let them work that out at home. What matters is this: Donny is still calling games. He’s still showing up for his community. And when Christmas rolls around, Santa is still on schedule. So yes, we helped save his foot. But more importantly, we helped him keep doing what he loves. And honestly… we might have helped save Christmas too. MMC Podiatry. More than Foot Care.

Regular practices had just begun for the 2024–2025 travel volleyball season when I began noticing a persistent pain in my right hip. It became aggravated during and after practice but seemed to dissipate throughout the day. That being said, I brushed it off as soreness and felt like I just needed to push through. Over the next few weeks, my hip began to lock up during drills, keeping me from running and causing a lot of pain when jumping or moving side to side. Following one particular practice on January 9, 2025, the pain was much worse and did not go away the next day. I was working part-time at MMC, and the next morning I went into work for a few hours; however, the pain was still significantly worse. That day, January 10, 2025, I was able to get into Dr. Desnoes’s office the same day because she had numerous cancellations due to inclement weather. She completely validated my concerns and worked efficiently to ease my discomfort. She began with a physical examination and suggested that I have an MRI to determine the cause of my pain. About an hour later, I had my first MRI, which was relatively simple thanks to the radiology team. After Dr. Hua, the radiologist, reviewed the results, he noticed something and determined that another test was necessary to get a better look. This time, I had an MRI with contrast, and the results showed that I had a 5 cm by 3 cm mass in the head of my femur. The mass had weakened my bone to the point where I had a hairline fracture in the same area. Hearing the words “mass” or “tumor” is terrifying, and my mind immediately went to the worst places. In that moment, Dr. Hua was also quick to reassure me that the scans suggested the mass was likely benign, though we still needed to determine exactly what it was. Immediately, numerous doctors worked together to give my family recommendations on the next steps. I was able to get an appointment with a Pediatric Orthopedic Oncologist, who helped calm my nerves and explain what might be going on. She believed it was likely a Non-Ossifying Fibroma—essentially a birthmark in my bone that had caused it to weaken. She recommended stabilizing it surgically, and on January 22, 2025, I had surgery at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital to do just that. During the operation, they took a biopsy to confirm that the tumor was benign, and thankfully it was. However, it turned out that I didn’t have what they initially suspected. I was diagnosed with fibrous dysplasia, a weakness in the way my bone had formed since childhood. Because of that diagnosis, my surgeon recommended a bone scan to make sure there were no other areas like this elsewhere in my body. I had that scan done at MMC, and once again the radiology team was spectacular throughout every step of the process. The results came back clean, which was an incredible relief. Now, over a year later and after completing physical therapy, I’m back to doing the things I love. I can swim, run, a nd spend time doing activities with my friends without worrying about my hip. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Desnoes, Dr. Hua, and the entire team at MMC for taking my concerns seriously, acting quickly, and supporting me throughout the entire process. Their care made a frightening situation much easier to face.

Meeting Jeremiah Thomas today, there is hardly any sign of the very sick little boy who came into MMC Pediatrics two years ago. Sometimes, if he moves just right and the light hits just so, you can catch the faint outline of the port where chemotherapy treatments have flowed into his body as he fought. In March 2024, Collette Thomas messaged Jeremiah’s pediatrician, Dr. Moran, concerned about a fever that had lingered for days. Nothing was working. He was getting sicker. Dr. Moran was out of the office that day, but he reached out to one of his partners, Dr. Gammel, and asked if she could see Jeremiah. Today. One look, and she knew something was not right. Tests were ordered. And then came the words no parent is prepared to hear. “His bone marrow isn’t working the way it’s supposed to.” They needed to go to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. They needed to rule out leukemia. Collette remembers crying with Dr. Gammel. Sitting in that moment as everything began to shift. Then Dr. Adams came in. She wrapped her in a hug and let her cry on her shoulder. She gently told her to pray and drink her water. Simple words. Steady words. The kind you hold onto. Later that night, in the emergency room at Vanderbilt, the diagnosis was confirmed. Leukemia. The days and weeks that followed were a blur. Doctors. Nurses. Tests. Tears. And a lot of prayers for a very sweet little boy. Dr. Moran stayed in touch the entire day, even though he was not in the office. He called while they waited, prayed with Collette over the phone, and continued to check on them every day for weeks after. Looking back, Jeremiah’s family often talks about how grateful they are for MMC Pediatrics. For the care, for the relationships, and for the peace of mind in knowing that even when their own pediatrician was not available, there was a team of trusted physicians ready to step in without hesitation. In a moment when everything felt uncertain, that mattered. The love from MMC was palpable. It still is. Jeremiah does not remember much from those first days. But he remembers Dr. Moran coming to visit him at Vanderbilt, sitting with him, talking about Spider-Man. He remembers the day his appetite came back and eating what felt like an endless supply of Dunkin’ Donuts. He remembers the doctors and nurses who cared for him, who have since become like family. And now, you meet Jeremiah. He is seven years old. He has friends at school. He plays and laughs and talks a mile a minute. The kind of kid who keeps you on your toes and fills a room without even trying. He may have outgrown Spider-Man, but he loves baseball and soccer and hockey. He is full of life. Full of energy. Full of laughter. Smart, witty, and happily chatty. There is a resilience in him. A toughness no child should ever have to carry. And somehow, he carries it with joy. He is sunshine. If he moves just right and the light hits just so, you can still see the outline of his port. But only for a little while longer. Jeremiah shared with us, with a big smile, that he will have his final treatment next month, and his port will be removed soon after. When asked if and how he wanted to celebrate, he did not hesitate. “Yes. Dinner at my favorite restaurant. Camino Real.” And we are all invited.

The Henn Family For the Henn family, the journey to recovery has been marked by strength, perseverance, and the steady support of family, friends, and Special Kids. Carolyn Henn, a Nurse Practitioner with MMC Dermatology and Mohs Surgery, and her husband Dave are the proud parents of two daughters, Violet and Marcie. Long before Special Kids became part of their family’s story in a deeply personal way, Ca rolyn had her own connection to the organization: she was part of the Special Kids team, working with kids just like Marcie. When Marcie was born with a heart defect, their family quickly became familiar with hospitals, specialists, and the emotional weight that comes with caring for a child with complex medical needs. At just six years old, Marcie experienced a serious complication during open heart surgery and suffered a stroke. What followed was a long and challenging recovery. After completing inpatient rehabilitation in Atlanta, Marcie returned home ready to continue the hard work of healing. Through it all, Marcie showed incredible determination. With the help of outpatient physical therapy at Special Kids, she continued rebuilding strength and mobility step by step. During this season, Dave became a stay-at-home parent, dedicating his days to caring for Marcie and ensuring she could get to the appointments and therapies she needed. The Henn family is deeply grateful for the team at Special Kids who walked alongside them through one of the most difficult chapters of their lives. The therapists who encouraged Marcie, celebrated her progress, and believed in her abilities made a lasting difference. Today, “Marvelous Marcie” has officially graduated from physical therapy, and her family could not be prouder. Her journey reflects her resilience, her family’s constant support, and the compassionate care that helped her keep moving forward. And if you ask her parents, they will tell you with a smile: there is no stopping her now.

MMC Announces Conclusion of Contract With UHC TennCare After Good-Faith Negotiation Efforts MURFREESBORO, TN — Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter (MMC) announced today that its contract with UnitedHealthcare’s TennCare plan will end on December 31, 2025, following UHC’s decision not to accept MMC’s proposal for a temporary extension. MMC leadership engaged in good-faith discussions with UHC TennCare in an effort to prevent disruption of care for thousands of patients. As part of these efforts, MMC proposed extending the existing agreement through June 2026. This extension would have allowed families to reach the state-mandated May 2026 Open Enrollment period when they could choose a TennCare Managed Care Organization that includes MMC in its network or to remain with UHC TennCare. The proposal also would have provided additional time for both organizations to work toward a long-term solution. UHC TennCare would not agree to the six-month extension. As a result, the contract will expire as originally scheduled on December 31, 2025. “MMC entered these conversations with the shared goal of ensuring continuity of care for our patients, especially our most vulnerable families,” said Joey Peay, CEO. “Unfortunately, an agreement could not be reached resulting with our patients being the most severely impacted by this decision.” Patients who wish to continue receiving care from their MMC Physicians or other MMC providers may request a plan change or file an appeal through TennCare. All requests are reviewed by TennCare on a case-by-case basis, and approval outside of Open Enrollment is not guaranteed. The next Open Enrollment period for Middle Tennessee will occur in May 2026 during which families may select a TennCare plan that includes MMC. Any changes will have an effective date of July 1. MMC will continue to support patients through this transition and encourages families to reach out with questions or for assistance.

Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter (MMC) proudly welcomes four new physicians to its expanding network of providers: Drs. Leah Fassinger , Chandler Smith , Sarvani Singh , and Jillian Teslow . Each brings outstanding clinical training, compassion for patients, and a shared dedication to MMC’s mission of providing high-quality, patient-centered care close to home. Leah Fassinger, M.D. – Internal and Family Medicine Dr. Leah Fassinger joins MMC’s Internal and Family Medicine Department. She provides comprehensive primary care for individuals ages 6 and up, with a focus on preventive medicine and early detection. Dr. Fassinger earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Vanderbilt University, received her medical degree from ETSU Quillen College of Medicine and completed her residency at UTHSC Nashville Family Medicine. She takes a holistic, evidence-based approach to medicine, emphasizing preventive care and lifestyle management to help patients achieve long-term wellness Chandler Smith, D.O. – Internal and Family Medicine Dr. Chandler Smith joins MMC’s Internal and Family Medicine, where he provides comprehensive primary care for individuals ages 6 and up, with a focus on preventative medicine and early detection. Dr. Smith graduated from Tennessee Technological University and received his medical degree from William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency training at UTHSC at St. Francis in Memphis TN. He is passionate about helping people feel their best by focusing not just on improving health, but also on supporting overall well-being. Sarvani Singh, M.D. – Endocrinology Dr. Sarvani Singh joins MMC Endocrinology. She is a clinical endocrinologist specializing in general endocrinology, including thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pituitary pathology, and diabetes. Dr. Singh received her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine, and completed her residency at Meharry Medical College. She completed a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the University of Alabama. Dr. Jillian Teslow – Podiatry Dr. Jillian Teslow joins MMC Podiatry, specializing in foot and ankle surgery, reconstructive foot surgery, wound care, and diabetic foot complications. Dr. Teslow graduated from Luther College, earned her podiatry degree from Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and completed her residency at Ascension Macomb-Oakland. She is dedicated to helping patients find relief from foot pain and improving their quality of life through personalized treatment plans. A Commitment to Comprehensive, Compassionate Care “We are excited to welcome Drs. Fassinger, Smith, Singh, and Teslow to our MMC family,” said Joey Peay, CEO of MMC. “Their skill and dedication strengthen our ability to provide exceptional, integrated care to the growing Rutherford County community.” For appointment information or to learn more about MMC’s physicians and services, visit www.mmclinic.com. About Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter (MMC) is a physician-owned, multi-specialty clinic serving the Middle Tennessee region. MMC’s mission is to provide high-quality, cost-effective healthcare with compassion and respect. With more than 100 physicians across 20 specialties, MMC offers comprehensive care for the whole family at locations throughout Rutherford County.

UnitedHealthcare TennCare Coverage Ending December 31, 2025 Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter (MMC) is committed to providing high-quality care and helping your family navigate insurance changes as smoothly as possible. We want to make you aware of an important update to our TennCare participation with UnitedHealthCare Community Plan (UHC TennCare). What is changing? MMC will no longer be in network with UHC TennCare starting January 1, 2026. This means patients with UHCTenncare will need to switch to a different TennCare Managed Care Organization (MCO) if they wish to continue seeing their MMC physician in 2026. Why is this happening? Over the past several months, MMC has been in active discussions with UnitedHealthcare to renegotiate contract rates. These rates have fallen below current market levels, and despite our best efforts, negotiations have stalled. As a result, we made the difficult decision to end our commercial contract with UnitedHealthcare effective March 1, 2026. Separately, our contract with UHC Tenncare requires termination on December 31, 2025. Unfortunately, although we offered to extend the contract to align with the Open Enrollment date for Middle Tennessee—May 2026, UHC Tenncare declined. We are sharing this information so families have time to choose a new plan and avoid disruptions in care. What do I need to do now? If you are currently enrolled in UHC TennCare, you will need to choose a different TennCare MCO to remain in network with your MMC physician. In addition to UHC, TennCare offers the following MCO options: BlueCare (BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee) Wellpoint/Amerigroup Changing your TennCare plan . You may change your MCO by: Calling TennCare Connect: 855-259-0701 Visiting: TennCareConnect.tn.gov Updating your plan through your online TennCare account. When changing plans, you can select your current MMC physician as the Primary Care Provider (PCP) When should I take Action? We recommend making your MCO selection as soon as possible to prevent any lapse in overage or unexpected out-of-network charges beginning January 1, 2026. While open enrollment for TennCare plans does not occur until May of 2026, they do allow changes in the following circumstances: During a 90-day new enrollment window If you qualify for a hardship What counts as a hardship? From TennCare: Your doctor or specialist is no longer covered by the plan. Your provider relationship is disrupted. How to ask for a hardship consideration when contacting TennCare: “I am requesting a special enrollment exception because my current doctor, who manages my ongoing care, is not in network with my assigned TennCare plan. This creates a significant hardship for me, as there are very few in-network providers in Middle Tennessee who can offer the same level of consistent care. Changing plans outside of open enrollment is medically necessary for me to continue receiving the treatment I need. I respectfully ask for approval to change plans so I can continue care with my established physician.” If TennCare denies the change, you have the right to appeal. In your appeal, explain why you need to switch (provider doesn’t accept your current plan). You can ask for help from a TennCare advocate or a community health navigator/legal aid, especially if you are having difficulty. Key Tips • Be Persistent: Bureaucracy can be slow. Call, follow up, and document all communications (who you spoke with and when)

When I first heard the words “ you have cancer ”, I felt my world stop. My husband held my hand and said, “ It’s going to be all right. We can do this together. ” From that moment, I knew I wasn’t walking this road alone. I leaned on my family, my three sisters, my church, my coworkers, and my school community. As a teacher assistant, I gathered the teachers I worked with, told them about my diagnosis, and walked out of the room. They were stunned, but immediately surrounded me with prayer and support. That encouragement carried me through. My first surgery was in November 2024, but when Dr. Dunlap said they hadn’t gotten it all, I didn’t hesitate. I said, “ If another surgery will get rid of it, let’s do it. ” In January 2025, I had my second surgery, and this time Dr. Dunlap said, “ We got it all .” I followed with 15 days of radiation. What could have been a lonely and frightening time turned into something different for me. My husband, sisters, nieces, and even friends took turns driving me from Shelbyville to Murfreesboro for treatment. We laughed, we talked, and it became a family affair. My last day of radiation was also my birthday, and a dear friend drove me, celebrated with me, and made the day unforgettable. Through it all, I never felt alone. My church prayed for me, my family surrounded me, and my coworkers stood by me. That support gave me the strength to keep going. My cancer wasn’t found on a mammogram. I had felt a lump for a while, but it didn’t hurt, so I ignored it. It was the staff of the Comprehensive Breast Center at Murfreesboro Medical clinic who encouraged me to get it checked and Dr. Dunlap performed a biopsy. I’m so grateful I listened, because early action saved my life. Today, I’m cancer-free. I continue follow-up visits every six months, and I take a daily medication as part of my treatment plan. Everyone’s journey looks different, but mine taught me the power of listening to your body and leaning on the people who love you. If I can share one message, it’s this: Don’t ignore changes in your body. Speak up, ask questions, and lean on your support system. With faith, family, great doctors and community, you can get through anything.

"As a nurse with years of experience in high-acuity settings, including the Burn ICU at Vanderbilt, I know the importance of skilled, compassionate care. When I was diagnosed with a thyroid nodule, I was intentional about finding the right physician. After asking my primary care provider for recommendations, I was referred to Dr. Caplin. I did my research and was encouraged to see that she had trained under Dr. Netherton at Vanderbilt. That alone gave me confidence. I knew I was in good hands. From the very first appointment in 2022, I felt welcomed and heard. The entire team promoted a strong patient-first approach, and Dr. Caplin had a clear plan in place after my follow-up scan. The turnaround was quick. My procedure was scheduled for February, just weeks after my January scan. I underwent both radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and ethanol ablation on February 28. During the procedure, they let me play my own music and made sure I was comfortable throughout. While I experienced some discomfort, the team’s responsiveness made all the difference. I was able to communicate, and they adjusted in real time. Three months later, my follow-up showed the nodule had shrunk by 77 percent, and there is still potential for further reduction. I hadn’t even realized how much the nodule had been affecting me—changing how I ate, making me choke more often. Now, my quality of life has significantly improved. I describe the whole experience as carefree. If I had to do it again, I would, without hesitation. I live in Murfreesboro and work as a clinical educator for Marian University while pursuing my Doctor of Education in Nursing. I’m so grateful for Dr. Caplin and her team at MMC. I truly believe that care like this should be the standard." -Hillary Sexton, RFA Patient of Dr. Caplin