The Joy of God’s Plan
Smith Lake Family Care’s Linda Alvis found joy in taking a leap of faith.
Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Images by Ryan McGill
When Linda Alvis pursued her bachelor's degree, she could often be found beneath the comforting shade of a tree at the ballpark, diligently studying her textbooks in the fleeting moments between her son's travel ball games. Her path to a career in the medical field was far from easy, marked by grueling night-shift rotations and the responsibilities of being a wife and caring for her three children. Nevertheless, Linda tenaciously pursued her calling and now basks in the joy of living according to God's plan for her life.
Linda grew up in Dora, Alabama, where her mother was an educator and her father worked as a coal miner. She attended Dora High School, where she met her high school sweetheart and now husband, Shaun Alvis. After graduating from Dora, Linda earned her associate degree in nursing from Bevill State Community College in 2000, embarking on a remarkable 23-year journey as a nurse.
Her professional endeavors led her through various roles at Princeton and Walker Baptist Medical Centers, where she cared for patients in orthopedics, general surgery, home health, women’s services, nursery, and NICU. She also managed the Walker branch of the Steps Ahead program, which serves local mothers and children receiving Medicaid. During this time, Linda also became a mother to her three children: twins Carson and Alli Kay and her youngest, Anna Beth.
Linda had long desired to advance her role in the medical field. Though becoming a Nurse Practitioner was never part of her initial plan, as time progressed, her aspirations evolved, guided by the unfolding of God’s plan.
Reflecting on this transition, Linda shares, “I originally wanted to teach nursing locally at Bevill. And then, as I started pursuing my bachelor’s, several colleagues suggested, ‘You know, Linda, you should think about being a nurse practitioner. You’d be great at it.’ I looked into the profession and realized that it was my calling. I prayed continually, and I walked through doors as they opened. I applied to school at UAB, and I was accepted. So, here I am!”
In 2016, Linda completed her master’s degree in nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and became a certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Linda soon gained valuable clinical experience in hospice, home health, urgent care, and primary care settings. Meanwhile, she found a kindred spirit in fellow Nurse Practitioner Autumn Mummey, and together, they established Smith Lake Family Care in November 2020. This clinic offers a range of services, including primary care, urgent care, IV hydration, weight loss, etc. to Smith Lake and surrounding communities.
Looking back on her remarkable journey, Linda shares, “I was so unsure of myself and extremely nervous about taking that big leap, but, in hindsight, I think, ‘Wow, look at what God’s done in my life.’ I would have never seen this for myself. Opening the clinic has been very rewarding, as I get to interact with patients on a personal level while focusing on holistic care.”
Linda passionately encourages others to pursue a nursing career but emphasizes that it should be for the right reasons.
“Anytime you’re trying to make a decision, you need to pray about it and let the Holy Spirit lead you where you’re supposed to go. And if you listen, you’ll be blessed, and you’ll be happy. My work is never a job. It’s where I want to be, and I’m happy.” 78