Pastor Richard Gaines has served as the Senior Pastor of Consolidated Baptist Church here in Lexington for 30 years. During his tenure as senior pastor, Rev. Gaines has been treated twice at the University of Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Center.
In 2010, Pastor Gaines was treated for cancer that appeared in his right parotid gland. Members across the UK College of Medicine and UK HealthCare worked together to assist in Pastor Gaines’ treatment. Joseph Valentino, MD, professor of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery, removed the gland, Mahesh Kudrimoti, MD, professor of radiation oncology, provided Pastor Gaines with radiation rounds, and Susanne Arnold, MD, professor of internal medicine, served as Pastor Gaines’ medical oncologist.
Then again in 2021, Pastor Gaines was diagnosed with prostate cancer. That same year, he received a prostatectomy at UK. In 2017, between these two treatments, Pastor Gaines’ wife, Sarah, learned that she had a small tumor on her left kidney. She received a partial nephrectomy that confirmed the tumor was renal cell carcinoma.
“We received outstanding care at Markey each time,” said Sarah. “Not only the physicians and nurses, but also the Markey staff were very caring and compassionate.”
In recent years, Consolidated Baptist Church has formed a partnership with UK HealthCare and held several collaborative events at their church to raise awareness for screenings and early detections. ‘Informed people make better decisions’ is a quote Pastor Gaines is known to say. The partnership with UK is a way for the community to stay informed about their health.
“We want to provide opportunities for people to get information and ask questions in a safe and trusted environment,” says Pastor Gaines. “We know that many illnesses can be safely treated if they are detected early.
“We have been blessed with a facility that has ample space to host events,” says Sarah. “Additionally, our church is accessible by Lextran, and there is a bus stop out front. People, who may not otherwise have access to information or care, can receive care at the church.”
In addition to partnering with UK HealthCare, Consolidated Baptist Church partnered with the Lexington Fayette Health Department to offer COVID testing during the pandemic, and they still offer COVID and flu vaccines at the church each year.
“We want to do all we can to ensure that every Lexingtonian has access to quality health care.”
