Stephen L. Hines, M.D.
I was born in Albemarle, a small town near Charlotte, NC, and spent most of my growing-up years in Atlanta, GA. I matriculated at UNC, Chapel Hill for college and then headed to Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN where I attended medical school and remained for my internship and residency in Internal Medicine. After my Vanderbilt years, I spent two years working for the Centers for Disease Control in the Epidemic Intelligence Service. I returned to Nashville for 21 years of private practice and a clinical faculty position at Vanderbilt Medical School.
I transitioned from private practice to a core faculty position training Internal Medicine Residents in 2004. Additionally, in 2010, I assumed a part time role as an interdisciplinary team physician for home hospice patients. I am Board-certified in General Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and a Fellow in the American College of Physicians.
I enjoy teaching, public speaking, and creative learning opportunities.
“Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.”
-David Wagoner
My Philosophy
(Latin: doceō, I teach)
I learned in medical school that the word “doctor” comes from the Latin word for teacher. I hold that thought closely.
A Doctor is a Teacher
In my role as physician, I have had daily opportunities to teach. While in practice, I taught patients about their health problems and explained the use of medications.
Since my transition to core faculty in an Internal Medicine residency program, my teaching now focuses on my residents and their knowledge of primary care medicine. I try to instill the notion that a consummate physician melds scientific expertise with compassion and good listening skills.
In today’s evolving healthcare climate, the doctor-patient relationship faces many challenges. However, I believe that most patients seek a blend of educated professional and empathic ally in their doctors. It’s the communication and caring that balance the science and economics of medicine. After all, at its basic level, each physician-patient relationship is a bond crafted by two human beings.
Self-care is the primary ingredient in health maintenance
After a hiatus of more than a decade, I feel it’s time to rejuvenate this website. I hope to reflect on topics of general self-care. Ultimately, self-care is the primary ingredient in health maintenance – with physicians and other healthcare providers serving as educated consultants in the process.
Additionally, I’ll explore topics relevant to palliative medicine, which prioritizes quality of life and symptom management. There are many misconceptions about this care.
My website allows an opportunity to share ideas and factual information that might be of interest to people outside my usual communication network. It is my intent to speak to the humanity of medicine and to remove the barriers of technical language and time constraints that frequently challenge meaningful communication between patients and their healthcare providers.
More about Me
Grateful recipient of life’s blessings in family, friends, and relationships
Physician
Teacher
Advocate of holistic health care
Adventurer
A link in collective consciousness
Seeker of balance
Stephen Minister
Reiki practitioner
Rejuvenated and spiritually-enriched by high places near water
