community support, dr beckett, dying coal town, kentucky, williamson

How a Dying Coal Town Doctor Is Helping Reshape His Community (Part 2)

A fortuitous meeting In 2011, the coal economy weakened, and the coal town community of Williamson started losing more jobs. To help, Beckett decided to create a free clinic one day a week. As demand grew, they had to add more days. And then a chance encounter changed everything. “One of the people who helped ...

May 17, 2022

Tatiana Denning

City of Williamson officials during a ribbon cutting ceremony.

How a Dying Coal Town Doctor Is Helping Reshape His Community (Part 1)

A dying coal town famous for a vicious family feud has been rebuilding itself through an inspiring mix of cooperation and ingenuity. The small town of Williamson, West Virginia, lies nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountains in the heart of coal country. Separated from its counterpart, South Williamson, Kentucky, by the Tug ...

May 16, 2022

Tatiana Denning