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A tough job to handle

by Laura Embry
Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. Rita Robertson watch her daughter Sara, 4, as she is examined by Dr. Roy. The Robertson’s are from Russell Springs.

While working as a lab technician in Somerset, Paula Roy’s boss told her she was wasting her time; she should become a doctor.

“I don’t think my family ever thought I would,” said Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital. “No one thought I could get into medical school.”

Her husband, hog farmer Jerry D. Roy, was important to her success. The demands of being apart for a long time while she was in medical school strengthened their marriage, she said. 

“He’s been very supportive, but I don’t think most people think about going away for eight or nine years.” Roy graduated from The University of Louisville Medical School.

“Being a doctor in a small town can be difficult,” she said. “It’s tough blocking out emotions when a patient is a friend or relative. There are a lot of things that are difficult to handle because you know the people.”

Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. Paula Roy cuddles with her 16-month-old son, Evan Blake, in a rocking chair on her day off. Dr. Roy was trying to calm down the active toddler and eventually rocked him to sleep.
Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. At the admitting desk in ER. Dr. Roy talks with other staff.
Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. Dr. Paula Roy feeds her son Evan Blake Roy , at her mother, Pearl York’s house before she goes to work. Pearl watches the young Roy for Paula when she is at the hospital.
Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. Danny Hughes is examined in the emergency room at Russell County Hospital and is treated for a rare and chronic condition called Crohn’s Disease.
Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. Dr. Paula Roy checks her son for wet diapers before getting ready for work.
Kathy Bradshaw, a teacher at Cumberland Alternative School, jokes with a student. The Russell Springs School exists for junior and senior high school students who fall behind at their regular schools. Most students are mainstreamed back to their school within one year, but may stay at the alternative school if they desire. The ratio of students to teachers is small providing a tutoring atmosphere to the school. Principal is Al Sullivan.
Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. Dr. Paula Roy carries her son Evan Blake Roy , up the steps of her mother’s split-level house. Pearl York, Roy’s mother babysits while Dr. Roy works at the hospital.
Matthew Luttrell, 6 maths, sits in a tub of cool water to bring down a high temperature in an emergency room of Russell County Hospital. Greg and Karen Luttrell, of Liberty, Ky. are the parents.
Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. Dr, Paula Roy beams when she talks about the new house she is designing and building with her husband, Jerry D. Roy. The Roy’s were high school sweethearts. Paula Roy was raised in Jamestown from age 3. Jerry has lived in Russell Springs since he was born. Was raised 1/4 mile from the house the Roy’s currently live in.
Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. Dr, Roy tells Beatrice Allen, who has heart problems, how long she will need to stay in the hospital.
Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. Dr, Paula Roy checks the ears of an unhappy, 6-month-old Matthew Luttrell, the youngster from Liberty Ky. had a high temperature that worried the parents Karen and Greg.
Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. Dr. Paula Roy does some house cleaning, while husband, Jerry D plays with their son, Evan Blake, in their home.
Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. Dr. Paula Roy laughs at jokes during lunch in the back room with hospital employees. Dr. Roy is one of the emergency room doctors at Russell County Hospital.
Dr. Paula Roy, who is an emergency room doctor at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky. Dr. Paula Roy overlooks her 16-month-old son as he drifts back to sleep. Evan Blake Roy cries when he wakes up to find his mother gone. Paula usually lays down next to him until he is asleep again.
Lily Creek near Russell Springs, Ky.
A sign on Cumberland Avenue.
Lifetime Jamestown resident Harold Garr stops his mowing to talk to Rev. Elza Morgan, who is looking for someone to help him farm that day. Gorr lives across the street from the house in the background which belonged to his grandfather Robert Garr.
Norman Coffey sits on his tractor in the town square and talks to a friend after running an errand. Coffey owns 60 acres just outside Jamestown, Ky. where he raises cattle for beef, grows tobacco and hay.
Orville Bummett of Jamestown, KY hanging out on the town square.
Jimmy Gary Wooldridge and his three-year-old nephew D.J. Wooldridge walk home on Clayton Road after a trip to the store.
The Doughboy, a war memorial to both world wars, stands in the Jamestown square.
Martha and Hollie Kinnett, both retired from farming. Farmed on Martha’s father’s land – (James Chapman) in Jamestown. They are sitting in the living room of their house on Cumberland Ave.
Ola Hays carry a bucket of fresh-picked pears on Clayton Road. The pears came from a 50-year-old tree planted by Claude Williams. When Clause Williams died in 1963, his son, John Henry Williams, told the neighbors to help themselves to the pears. “He does not like pears,” Hays said.
The Doughboy, a war memorial to both world wars, stands int he Jamestown square. A sign for the annual pumpkin festival rests on the steps of the memorial as a fog rolls into the square in the early morning hours.