Growing Up With Faith as My Compass
From the time I was a boy, faith has been more than a Sunday ritual—it’s been the compass that points me in the right direction. I grew up in Florida, but my roots go back to Thomasville, Alabama, where I was born. In our household, faith wasn’t something tucked away for special occasions; it was woven into everything we did. My father was a preacher, and both my parents made sure we understood that God was at the center of life.
I was the first male child among seven siblings, with one older sister leading the way. We were raised to work hard, pursue excellence, and live with integrity. Four of my siblings went on to become valedictorians, and all of us built careers in demanding fields—medicine, law, dentistry, and chiropractic care. Those achievements weren’t just the result of talent or ambition; they were the fruit of discipline and faith. I learned early that if you lean on God’s guidance and pair it with hard work, there’s very little you can’t overcome.
Faith in Education and Early Career Choices
When I was a student at Oakwood Academy, faith fueled my desire to excel. It wasn’t just about grades—it was about preparing myself for a life of service. I graduated as valedictorian in 1970 and went on to Oakwood University, where I studied chemistry and biology. I believed that God had given me both the ability and the responsibility to make the most of my education. That belief carried me through long nights of studying and helped me achieve Cum Laude honors.
Even when life threw choices at me, faith provided clarity. I had an opportunity to study in France, but I also received an acceptance letter from Loma Linda University’s medical school. I prayed about it, thought about my purpose, and knew that God was leading me toward medicine. I completed medical school in an accelerated three-year program and began my residency in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, and facial plastic surgery.
Faith in Service
One of the most life-changing experiences of my career happened far from home. During my residency, I traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, and worked in Cambodian refugee camps. There, I saw suffering on a scale I had never experienced before. Many of these people had nothing—not food, not shelter, not basic medical care. I went to help with surgery, but I came back with something even more valuable: a renewed commitment to use my skills for God’s work.
That trip planted the seed for my foundation, Global Healing Inc. My goal was—and still is—to bring medical care to underserved communities around the world. We’ve served in places like Laos, Africa, Mexico, and the Philippines, where we’ve worked with the Mayne tribe for nearly a decade. Every trip, every project, and every patient has reminded me that faith is about action. You can’t just talk about loving your neighbor; you have to show it through service.
Faith in Family and Business
My faith has also guided me in my personal life. Building a family and raising children is no small task, but with God’s help, my wife and I have been able to teach our sons the same values that shaped us. They’re now pursuing careers in pre-law and pre-med, and I couldn’t be prouder of the men they’re becoming.
When I transitioned from full-time medical practice into working alongside my wife at our law firm, ATR Law Group PLLC, faith was still my anchor. Running a business comes with challenges—financial pressures, staffing decisions, client demands—but I’ve learned to pause, pray, and seek wisdom before making big moves. My role as CEO and CFO may seem far removed from my years as a surgeon, but the foundation hasn’t changed. Whether I’m managing a medical team or a legal one, the principles of integrity, compassion, and service remain the same.
Faith in Facing Challenges
Life is full of turning points and tests. There have been moments when the road was uncertain, when dreams seemed out of reach, and when setbacks threatened to steal my joy. But in every single one of those moments, faith has given me strength. I’ve leaned on scriptures, prayer, and the quiet assurance that God’s plans are bigger than mine.
Sometimes that faith meant moving forward when I couldn’t see the full picture. Sometimes it meant waiting, which is often harder. But over and over again, I’ve seen how God uses both the smooth roads and the rough ones to prepare us for the work He wants us to do.
Faith as My Legacy
As I think about the future, I don’t measure success by the size of my house or the number of years I’ve worked. My measure is this: have I used my life to honor God and serve others? I want my legacy to be one of faith in action—hospitals built in places that need them, communities strengthened through healthcare and education, and young people inspired to live with purpose.
Faith has never been about perfection for me—it’s about direction. It’s about waking up each day and asking, “Lord, what would You have me do today?” And then doing it to the best of my ability.
No matter how many titles I’ve held—doctor, CEO, philanthropist—the one I value most is servant. That’s the role faith has prepared me for, and it’s the role I’ll continue to embrace for as long as I’m able.