October is a reminder to focus on breast health and community health

Welcome to fall y’all! It’s hard to believe this year is winding down and we are in one of the more beautiful times of year where God creates a beautiful display across our mountains. The colors are as vibrant as our streets and people in Franklin. Thinking about all the places my family and I have ventured over the last 20 years, we are blessed to call Franklin home. What makes Franklin so special is the love and care that people show each other.

October is awareness month for a multitude of health and social causes, and when we look at the list, it is always hard to focus on just one since all of them are important and deserve to be recognized. I am going to focus on Health Literacy, because knowledge is a powerful tool. The more knowledge we have about health and how we can be more mentally and physically fit, the better our community and personal health will be.

This is the reason why finding a primary care/family provider is so crucial. We are blessed to have the number and caliber of these critical providers that we do in our community.

Pervasive factors that affect our entire country also impact our community here in Franklin, so unfortunately, we are not immune. Mental illness, homelessness, and poverty create stress on families, communities, and health systems. The more awareness we bring to epidemics like mental health and familial violence, the closer we can come to having meaningful conversations and finding solutions that address these barriers to better health — as well as reducing the stigma that accompanies them. Community members can rely on and respect their providers because they understand the importance of this relationship in their community and its effect on their health and wellbeing.

October is Breast Cancer awareness month as well. I thought I would create a “Did You Know?” list to help readers better understand this disease and why it’s so important for women to get screened for breast cancer regularly — something you can get done right here at Angel Medical Center.
Did you know:

• That Women have a 1 in 8 probability of breast cancer
• Breast cancer is more than a lump in the breast. Other symptoms include:
  • Swelling in part or all of the breast
  • Skin irritation
  • Nipple retraction
  • Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk
• Mammograms should start at 30 years of age for high-risk women and 40 years of age for all women.
• Mammograms and self-exams increase survival and treatment, but 1 out of 2 women don’t get their yearly screenings.
• If caught early, breast cancer has a 99% survival rate.
• Women of Color are more often diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer.

Source: American Cancer Society, 2025

I would like to extend a special thank you to all those healthcare providers who are helping our community members with their journeys toward wellness. We have great primary care providers close to home, so be sure to find a local provider and keep your appointments, it will help you and the overall health of our community. 

I would also like to extend my thanks to our rehab team and pharmacy team for all they do to keep us on the right track to wellness. Happy fall — now go and enjoy all it has to offer, from supporting local farmers and businesses, taking a drive to leaf peep, or enjoying a craft show and the work of our talented local artisans.

Clint Kendall, FACHE, MBA, MSN, BSN, RN, is Chief Executive Officer/Chief Nursing Officer of Angel Medical Center. He started his career as a nurse, and that perspective still informs his work and passion for the patient experience. Clint holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Nursing, and Health Care Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Carolina University. Clint has also earned the Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) certification, and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), and the American Nurses Association (ANA).