Community
Paae as
Tillman Inspires
Hope Through Prose
By KARF.N M HAVNOS
Chronicle Staff Writer
Dr. Otis E. Tillman has seemed a miracle worker
for generations.
f 1 In the old da\s.' he made housecalls, sometimes
receiving as little as fruit or vegetables from homegrown
gardens as payment When the doctor who made house
calls became obsolete. Tillman struggled to open an
office and build a thriving practice.
. Throughout the years, he has been at bedsides nurs
ing children. Today, he has seen some of the same chil
dren become grandparents and others pass on to another
life.
But even in one of the most stressful professions,
witnessing the joys of infancy and the -sorrows of death,
Tillman, a man of science, has not forgotten the inner
faith that keeps him believing in a higher spirit.
"During my many years m the practice of medicine,
there has not been a day when I have not felt the need of
his presence in my work and in my life." Tillman said.
"For as 1 followed my many patients ? some from
birth, others during life and still others to death ? the
awesome power, as well as the tender mercy of God, has
been evident."
Even in the case of a patient who is walking a thin
line between life and death. Tillman remains steadfast in
his faith.
"Some physicians will abandon their divine trust in
time of stress, while many others grow stronger in the
faith after personally experiencing the works of the mas
ter's hand." Tillman said. "1 am of the opinion that if
there be just one physician that still does not believe in
God and the power of prayer, the practice of medicine
as we know it today is at a great loss."
Tillman displays God's presence in his life and in
his medical practice in his book, "A Physician s Prayers
and Meditations." The paperback is a compilation of
Tillman's thoughts and meditations during his years of
medicine.. ?
He said he hopes the book will inspire its readers.
The contents of the meditations may not change
one existing human condition or belief, but it is of great
hope that the reader would share the inner-most spiritual
thoughts of a fellow human attempting to live a Christ
inspired life," Tillman says in the book's "Purpose."
"I also hope that the lines will be of some benefit
and comfort to every Christian and give a gleam of hope
to those who have yet to feel the power of his saving
grace."
Tillman said it was a gleam of hope that made him
write the book.
"I ran across a young man after the war in the desejt
("Desert Storm")," he said. "He came to me with a worn
piece of paper that had one of my meditations written on
it. He said during the war he was afraid. He had never
been to Sunday school and he didn't know how, to pray.
But he said when he read one of my meditations it
inspired him and gave him hope.
the capacity to help inspire one person to live a better
life, I'd better get busy writing these meditations down
before I can't do it anymore," Tillman said. ?
He admits, though, that there was one time in his
years of practice when he began to question his faith ?
when he delivered Siamese twins.
"I stood there with the babies in my arms. Their lit
tle legs and arms were wiggling and the babies were
crying," he said. "And I began to question God myself,
asking, 'Why would you do this? Why did you do this?'
"Later on, as I got older, I saw the purpose and
came to know that things work out for the best," Tillman
said.
His book has prayers and meditations about love.
Christian duty, faith, the family, childhood and praise. It
also has chapters paralleling faith in times of war and
peace. He also expresses his feelings about the impact of
the church and community.
Tillman said it was his own church and community
that helped mold him into the person he is today.
" Tillman was born iff the rural town of Wadesboro,
N.C. He is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State Uni
Dr. Otis E. Tillman
versity and received his medical degree at Howard Uni- McAllister of High Point and Bonita Tillman of
versity. H* had medical training at Kate Bitting Raleigh. He has three grandchildren.
Reynolds Hospital in Winston-Salem and has practiced Tillman said faith through prayer provides hope, no
family medicine for nearly 35 years. matter what your profession.
"It's all right for someone to give honor to God
Although he practices in High Point, Tillman said before undertaking any procedure," he said, "whether
he still has close ties to Winston-Salem. His son, Otis it's medicine or law. It's all right to ask God for divine
"Chip" Tillman, is following his father's professional guidance to do the right thing. Even if it's in police work
footsteps as a third-year resident in internal medicine at ? if you stop and said to yourself, 'God, teach me.
North Carolina Baptist Hospital. Tillman's wife, the for- Guide my life and help me do what you would have me
mer Barbara Kelly, is a member of Links Inc. in Win- to do."
ston-Salem, and his daughter, Tammy Tillman Jones, is To order Tillman's book, send $12.95 plus $2 for
a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. postage and handling to: Meditations, PO&r>x-$?
Tillman said he has two other daughters, Chiquita High Point, N.C. 27261.
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MARCH 10, IW
Community
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How to ScMcMe Your Events: So
clsely and noatly printed or typed, to
617 N. liberty St., Winston-Salem, I
the Monday preceding the week In *
Our FAX number is (919) 723-9173.
iwiPl
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THURSDAY, MARCH 4
6:30 p.m. ? Network Plus International
will sponsor the workshop "Self-esteem Devel
opment for Personal and Professional Growth"
in the first-floor auditorium of the Forsyth
County Main Library on Fifth St. The workshop
will include the topics: defining good and poor
self-esteem; causes of good and poor self
esteem; changing your esteem; and goal setting.
The workshop is free and open to the public. For
information, call Michael Samuels at 767-7716.
7 p.m. ? An information/organization
Tneeting for a new 4-H club for the deaf and hard ?
of hearing community will be held at the Forsyth
County Agriculture building on Fairchild Drive.
The meeting is open to all youth between the
ages of 6 and 1 8 and their parents. An interpreter
will be provided. 4-H members go camping,
explore the environment, learn about plants and
animals, develop self-confidence and have fun
while doing it. For information, call the Forsyth
County Center of the North Carolina Coopera
tive Extension Service at 767-8213.
>
7 p.m. ? The Forsyth County Foster Parent
Association will present the workshop "Caring
for Infants and Children Who Are HIV Positive"
in the fellowship hall of Crestwood Baptist
Church, 530 Motor Rd. Debbie Cohen, a regis
tered nurse at Bowman Gray School of Medi
cine's Infectious Disease Specialty Clihic, will
lead the workshop. All current and prospective
foster parents, volunteers, agency representa
tives and the general public are invited. The Fos
ter Parent Association meets every first Thurs
day of the month. For more information, call
Jackie Moore at 727-2446.
FRIDAY, MARCH 5
6:15 p.m. ? The William C. Sims Center,
1201 Alder St., will host a Black History Baby
Costume Contest for newborns through age 3.
Be creative in dressing your baby like a black
hero. First, second and third place prizes will be
awarded. For more information, call Mr. Piggott,
Mr. Brown or Ms. Hardy at 727-2837.
SATURDAY, MARCH 6
10 a.m. ? A doll and bear show and sale
will be held at the Benton Convention Center
until 5 p.m. Admission is $3 tor adults, $2 for ~
seniors and free for children under 12. For infor- -
mation call 919-463-5257.
5 p.m. ? The Atkins High School Class of
1956 will meet at the Black-Phillip-Smith
Neighborhood Government Services office,
2301 Patterson Ave. All class members are
urged to attend. You are encouraged to bring
class photos, year books and addresses for out
of-town classmates. For more information, call
Clark Gaither at 924-0204 or Shirley Gore at
765-5545.
7:30 p.m. ? The Chi Chi Chapter of Chi
Eta Phi Nursing Sorority Inc. will present its 2nd
annual GospelFest '93 at the Arts Council The
atre, 610 Coliseum Dr. Proceeds will go to a
scholarship fund for nursing students. Admis
sion is $7 for adults, S3.50 for children. Tickets
are available from sorority members are at the
Arts Council box office. For information call
788-0582.
MONDAY, MARCH 8
6:15 p.m. ? The University of Alabama
National Alumni Association will hold an
alumni chapter organizational meeting for the
"Piedmont" area. All interested UA alumni and
friends are invited. The meeting will be held in
the Piedmont Room at the Ramada Inn-Airport
in Greensboro on 1-40 and Hwy. 68. Refresh
ments and dinner will be available for purchase.
Video highlights will be shown, and there will
be an opportunity to purchase national champi-.
onship paraphernalia. For more information, call
Bill Pursor at 841-5735.
7 p.m. ? The Northwest Middle School
PTA will host the meeting, "HIV /AIDS: A Chal
lenge to Us All," at the school, located on Mur
^Tay Road. Roberta Wilen, epidemiologist-and
director nf infection control and nmipational
health at Medical Park Hospital, and C. Drew
Edwards, clinical psychologist for children, ado
lescents and families, will present accurate infor
mation about AIDS/HIV. A question and answer
session will follow the meeting. The public is
invited. For information, call Dane Thaupe at
924-5489.
TUESDAY, MARCH 9
6:15 p.m. ? Th>. Cook Middle School PTA
will meet in the school gymnasium. The meeting
will begin wifh a performance by the 7th-grade
band students. 'Something for Everyone" semi
nars will be presented for parents and students.
The session is open to the public, regardless of
whether their children attend the school.
ONGOING EVENTS
? Seniors of Forsyth County, you ca? be as
lucky as St. Patrick if you let Senior Financial
Care assist you with your budgeting, check writ
ing, check-book balancing, and health insurance
filing. Call 725-1972 for an appointment. SFC is
a United Way agency.
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