Mud Creek Medicine: The Life of Eula Hall and the Fight for Appalachia
"Health care workers have always been the unsung heroes on our nation's frontlines. Drawing from a treasury of interviews, Kiran Bhatraju's insightful and heartfelt tribute provides long-overdue recognition of Eula Hall's enduring legacy and the extraordinary history of her Mud Creek Clinic in Eastern Kentucky.  While deeply rooted in Appalachian resiliency, Hall's question years ago to Senator Ted Kennedy remains as important as ever: 'So, Senator, is it the government's responsibility to give health care to its people--or not?' "- Jeff Biggers, author ofThe United States of Appalachia"Appalachia has always been an anti-South within the South--a place where progressive politics were nourished by the excesses of unbridled capitalism. Kiran Bhatraju has written a gritty story about a true American heroine whose life serves as a powerful and timely reminder that basic health care is a fundamental right and responsibility of all citizens in a democracy."- Tracy Thompson, author ofThe New Mind of the South"Eula Hall is a truly inspirational figure - not only for Kentuckians, but for all who strive to build strong communities and empower their residents. Bhatraju's lively telling of her story reminds us that the human spirit is as strong as the mountains." - John Yarmuth, U.S. Congressman, Third District of Kentucky"Mud Creek Medicine is a much-needed biography of a woman who succeeded through her indomitable will and raw courage in providing basic health care for low-income rural families and coal miners. Bhatraju's lively writing style and unflinching truth telling is a compelling tribute to Eula Hall and the contributions she made to her home place, the Appalachian region and national understanding of the importance of community-based health care." - Judith Jennings, co-editor ofHelen Matthews Lewis: Living Social Justice in Appalachiaand Director of the Kentucky Foundation for Women"Bhatraju provides an inspiring look at the life of Eula Hall, an Appalachian-born woman who overcame many obstacles as she fought to bring healthcare to her poverty-stricken corner of eastern Kentucky... Much of Bhatraju's well-crafted book reads like a swashbuckling adventure in Appalachia." - Publishers Weekly Review"Here is the deeply moving story of a true American hero who truly became the good she wanted to see in the world. Any reader who meets Eula Hall through Kiran Bhatraju's wonderful book will be the better for having read it." --— Silas House, NEH Chair of Appalachian Studies at Berea College and award-winning author ofClay's QuiltandThe Coal Tattoo"The life of Eula Hall is a saga of trial and triumph. She didn't win every battle but she won more than she lost. The war is not over but Eula will be fighting for 'her people' when Gabriel blows his horn. A must read for anyone interested in the struggles of the people of Appalachia." --— Paul Patton, 59th Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Chancellor of the University of Pikeville"Everyone who worked in health care in Eastern Kentucky in the 1960s knows Eula Hall, and Kiran Bhatraju's incredible portrait of her life and struggle is a gripping drama. She not only saved lives, but drew the blueprint for rural community health centers that subsequently came to Appalachia and America." --— Dr. Harvey Sloane, Member of President Kennedy's Appalachian Health Program; Founder and Director of the Park DuValle Community Health Center; former Mayor of Louisville