A legacy of healing and faith: Dr. Tracy Hall’s journey from Greenville University to community-centered medicine
Published: January 07, 2025
Author: Liz Dowell
For Dr. Tracy Hall, Greenville College Class of '85, life has been a continuous blend of faith, perseverance, and service. With a degree in biology and 35 years of experience as a family physician, Tracy credits her time at the College (now Greenville University) for shaping her commitment to holistic care and community-oriented medicine.
Tracy's career spans decades of serving families in and around Greenville, Illinois. She is board-certified in family practice and affiliated with several hospitals, including HSHS Holy Family Hospital. Her story reflects a deep integration of faith and medicine, anchored in the values she nurtured at Greenville University.
A PERSONAL JOURNEY WITH CELIAC DISEASE
Her health struggles influenced Tracy's path to medicine. Diagnosed with celiac disease at age 14, she faced the reality of living with a condition that few doctors in the 1970s understood.
“Back then, you couldn’t just walk into a store and find gluten-free options,” she explained. “There was no rice flour, no tapioca flour—nothing.
Her diagnosis came after years of unexplained illness, belly pain, and malnutrition. A pivotal moment was her stay at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where Dr. James Keating, a compassionate physician, finally diagnosed her.
“He was my hero,” she said. “He figured out what others couldn’t. That experience sparked my desire to help others as he helped me.”
Living with celiac disease has shaped her perspective as a doctor. "Food is so central to our social lives, and having a condition like this makes you very aware of how isolating it can be," she shared. "I understand my patients' struggles because I've lived through the feeling of being different, needing accommodations, and dealing with the consequences of even the smallest mistakes."
FAITH AT THE CORE OF MEDICINE
Tracy's medical practice is inseparable from her faith. "How do you not integrate your faith when you're a physician?" she asked. I'm in constant prayer, whether for guidance during a procedure or wisdom in conversations with patients.”
Her holistic approach to medicine emphasizes physical healing and emotional and spiritual well-being. She carefully navigates her patients' diverse beliefs. "I’ve had patients with amalgamated beliefs. I aim to be a light to everyone, regardless of their faith background."
Tracy often draws inspiration from Mother Teresa. “She’s a hero of mine,” she said. “Her work in the slums, with so few resources, reminds me that service is about showing up for people in their greatest need, no matter how challenging the circumstances. If I thinks about what she could do with her situation it makes my progress so much easier than hers”
One of Tracy’s favorite metaphors involves helping patients break out of cycles of anxiety or depression. “Sometimes, you can’t fix everything at once,” she explained. “But you can ask, ‘What’s your next step? Will you have eggs or cereal for breakfast?’ It’s about finding those small, manageable choices.”
FINDING LOVE IN GOD’S TIMING
Tracy’s faith has also guided her personal life. For years, she focused on her career, waiting for God’s timing regarding marriage. That moment came when she reconnected with Mark.
The two met through Mark’s sister, Jane, who attended the same Bible study as Tracy. Over the years, their paths crossed as friends. "Mark was always busy caring for his dad and kids," she said. "But eventually, we reconnected at a family event; the rest is history."
Mark proposed on Valentine’s Day in 2018, and the couple married later that year. “I waited on God, and He gave me the perfect partner,” Tracy said. “Mark lights up my world, and together, we’ve built a life centered on faith and love.”
GREENVILLE UNIVERSITY: A FOUNDATION FOR SERVICE
Reflecting on her time at GU, Tracy is grateful that the University prepared her for a life of service. Small but meaningful moments shaped her time as a student, from cooking her gluten-free meals in dorm kitchens to forming lifelong friendships.
“I wasn’t on the meal plan because of my celiac disease,” she explained. “It was socially limiting, but my friends supported me, often sharing meals in my room.”
She also credits mentors like Coach Lynn (Simpson ’69) Adams for supporting her financially during her studies. “Lynn paid me $30 a month to be a trainer in the athletic department, and sometimes I think she took it out of her pocket. That kindness made a huge difference.”
LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD
Today, Tracy continues to serve her community with unwavering faith and compassion. Whether repairing lives as a physician or encouraging young women to pursue medical careers, she embodies Greenville University's mission of transformative education and service.
She says, "At the end of my life, I want to look back and say, 'I'm glad I did that,' even if it was hard. God has guided me every step of the way, and I’m grateful for the journey.”
