Why We Give: Raye and Elise Mitchell
'Lipscomb, in my experience, produces excellent physicians of integrity, and that is important to me.'
By Janel Shoun Smith | 615-966-7078 |
As a Lipscomb alumnus and long-time orthopedic surgeon, Raye Mitchell (LA ’81, BS ’85) has seen many Lipscomb graduates enter his life-long career field, and he likes what he sees: “physicians of integrity.”
He and his wife, Elise, want Lipscomb to continue producing physicians of integrity, and that is why they have generously given of their financial resources and their own personal time to the university over many years.
“Lipscomb, in my experience, produces excellent physicians of integrity who are conscientious, and that is important to me,” said Raye, now retired, who was installed as one of Lipscomb’s newest trustees this past summer.
With a multi-generational family history with Lipscomb and two children who graduated from Lipscomb, one from the university and one from Lipscomb Academy, the Mitchells have long been financial contributors to Lipscomb University and Academy.
They also, however, enjoy encouraging students one-on-one, so they hold monthly gatherings in their home for pre-med students to meet health care providers—many of whom are Lipscomb alums—in a warm and welcoming environment.
A program of the J.S. Ward Society, the in-home special guests provide insight into family life, time management and what’s important for a medical practice for the aspiring students, said Raye.
“It is rewarding to see how the students develop and grow during their time at Lipscomb,” he said. “They are always inquisitive. Since they don’t have as much exposure to health care professionals as they would like, these gatherings give them a chance to ask questions and understand what it will be like when they are practicing medicine. We enjoy getting to know them and having them in our home.”
“We remember what it was like to have a career ahead of you but no idea what it will be like in the real world,” said Elise, an executive coach and business consultant. “It’s really valuable for the students to have a chance to talk with these health care professionals, to get a better understanding of how to prepare for medical school and being a physician, to figure out what specialty you are suited for, what kind of life you want. This gives them a better sense of who they want to be as they step into the working world.”
“These physicians who come and speak with the students are inspiring role models,” she continued. “They have incorporated a Christian perspective into their work, so it shows students that they can be a successful physician of integrity with Christian values.”
Mitchell Scholar Maddie Brazelton spent this summer doing hands-on research in the biology lab of professor Beth Conway.
This past school year, the Mitchells founded the Mitchell Family Endowed Scholarship, funding summer research opportunities for a selected health science student each summer, through the J.S. Ward Society, a Lipscomb alumni affinity group for health care providers. The first awardee was Maddie Brazelton, who worked with Lipscomb biology faculty Beth Conway (LA ’98) this past summer.
The Mitchells enjoy attending the Ward Society’s Hero of Science dinner each year and honoring some of the professors who made a big impact on Raye’s life and career, such as Phil Choate and Paul Langford. Jim Arnett and Oliver Yates also “had a tremendous impact on my life,” said Raye.
Raye, a Nashville native, practiced medicine in Fayetteville, Arkansas, for 23 years. He was a partner at Ozark Orthopedics and served veterans through the VA Medical Center before his retirement. He earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee and completed a residency and a fellowship at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis. He held numerous leadership roles in the medical field including chief of surgery at Washington Regional Medical Center, serving as an adjunct professor with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and as team physician for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Elise grew up in Carbondale, Illinois, but her mother had attended Lipscomb as a young girl and her grandparents both taught at Lipscomb, so she has long held a great love for the university. Elise’s first job was at a Nashville public relations firm, and she met Raye at church while he was home from medical school in Nashville for summer break.
When they moved to Fayetteville, Elise established her own firm, Mitchell Communications Group, scaled it over time and successfully sold the firm. She now works with founders and C-suite executives who are trying to navigate growth and scale, and who are leading teams through change.
“One of many passions Raye and I share is philanthropy,” Elise said, “and our biggest focus is Christian education. We both feel very strongly about being a part of this good work—not just donating—but being active on the boards and helping students. Whatever gifts and talents we have, we want to put them to use for Christian education.”