At West Tennessee Healthcare, we believe in sharing the good within our community. Our “Be the Good” series shines a spotlight on the exceptional people who make a difference every day. Dr. Robert Day, a family medicine physician at West Tennessee Healthcare’s Living Well Primary Care, is a shining example of someone making a difference in the lives of many; his compassion and dedication extend far beyond the walls of his clinic.
For Dr. Day, being a physician is more than just a profession—it’s a calling. When you visit a healthcare provider, you want to know that the person treating you truly cares about you, not just your diagnosis. He embodies that kind of care in every aspect of his life, from his work here in West Tennessee to his mission-driven efforts across the globe.
Hailing from Jackson, Dr. Day’s journey in medicine has taken him far beyond his hometown. While building his career as a family medicine physician, he felt an even greater calling—one that took him thousands of miles away.
In response to this calling, Dr. Day and his family moved to Zambia, where he helped establish a medical clinic at an orphanage in a rural village. The need was urgent—child mortality rates were high, and diseases like malaria and pneumonia, along with other things preventable by trained physicians, were claiming too many lives. Seeing the suffering firsthand, he knew he had the skills and the heart to make a difference. The clinic was created to provide essential primary care services, addressing health concerns for those who simply need a caring, trained physician.
Through faith, dedication, and the support of his local church and a missionary organization, he and his team built a clinic that still serves the community today. It provides care to over 5,000 families, treating an average of 500 patients each month. Many of the cases they see involve malaria or respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, which are common issues in the region. In addition to general medical care, the clinic also holds a dedicated children’s clinic once a week, ensuring that the youngest and most vulnerable patients receive specialized attention.
Dr. Day’s experiences in Zambia deeply influence his perspective as a physician. After living in Zambia, Dr. Day reflected on the abundance we have here. This contrast has given him a new perspective on treating others with patience and compassion. He strives to truly see the person in his office, not just the diagnosis. His time in Zambia instilled in him an even greater heart for the vulnerable and less fortunate, always striving to provide care that goes beyond just medicine.
Regardless of the severity of the patient’s condition, Dr. Day approaches each person with the same care and commitment. “People are created with identity and purpose,” he says. He hopes to encourage everyone he sees to understand they are individuals, created beings, and that God designed them with a specific purpose.
Even though he is now based in West Tennessee, Dr. Day continues to return to Zambia, leading volunteer teams to serve in the clinic and the surrounding community. He welcomes others who feel called to join the mission, believing that everyone deserves to have access to high-quality healthcare, whether in Africa or right here in West Tennessee.
At West Tennessee Healthcare, providers like Dr. Day remind us that medicine is more than science—it’s compassion, service, and a commitment to making the world a better place, one patient at a time.
If you’re looking for a physician who truly cares, Dr. Robert Day and the team at Living Well Primary Care are ready to welcome you with open arms. Because at West Tennessee Healthcare, our providers aren’t just medical professionals—they’re people who are passionate about helping others live well.
