When Dr. Tejwani arrived in Memphis in 1968, she couldn’t have imagined the legacy she would help build. Decades later, her steady hands and compassionate heart have touched thousands of lives through her volunteer work with Church Health.
She remembers the early days vividly — when Church Health was just one small house and a big dream. Dr. Scott Morris, the founder, went door to door, asking physicians across the city to join him in serving those who had nowhere else to turn. “I was honored to be asked,” Dr. Tejwani recalls. “We would see patients in our offices, do consultations, even surgeries when needed — and the hospitals would accommodate us. It was truly a community effort.”
Those patients, she says, were — and still are — some of the most grateful people she’s ever cared for. “They’re caught in between,” Dr. Tejani, an obstetrician-gynocolgist explains. “They can’t afford insurance, but they don’t qualify for Medicare or TennCare. They’re the ones we can help the most, and they’re always so appreciative.”
Now retired, Dr. Tejwani continues to volunteer at Church Health, finding joy in the familiar rhythm of patient care. “The same patients come to see me every two or four weeks,” she says. “That continuity — knowing their stories, their struggles, their progress — it’s what keeps me going. It’s the kind of care I gave in my private practice, and I get to keep doing it here.”
Her eyes light up when she talks about the satisfaction that comes with giving back. “This is the perfect place to volunteer — and to be happy doing it,” she says with a warm smile. “Every physician in town should experience this. Whether you’re just out of residency or nearing retirement, working at Church Health is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It’s a gift — for your patients, and for your own heart.”
For Dr. Tejwani, what began as a simple “yes” to a request from Dr. Morris has become a lifelong calling. Her story reminds us that healing is not just about medicine — it’s about compassion, continuity, and the courage to serve where you’re needed most.
Learn more about opportunities to Volunteer at Church Health.