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Giles with his family ( back row left to right ) Eugene Jr ., Kimberly , Eugene III , Natasha ( front row ) Edwin , Amy , Bessie , Eugene Sr . and Lily
Giles with pastor C . M . Daniels Eugene & Bessie Giles
For almost 10 years , Dr . Giles developed a practice at various offices around Louisville . But , in 2002 , he made the decision to determine his own location and build a practice from the ground up . That opportunity became the Omni Medical Center at 2746 Virginia Avenue in West Louisville , where he practices Internal Medicine to this day .
Though he practices medicine without any other physicians , Dr . Giles realized he doesn ’ t practice alone . Just like that calling in his mind for independence , there was something beckoning him to get more involved in ministry and take a hard look at his personal faith . His family had been members of West Chestnut Street Baptist Church since 1988 . Sunday school , choir , bible study and vacation bible school , they ’ d done it all , but something was calling to Dr . Giles to give more .
“ I fought that calling for a long time . But , I looked back at my life and realized I wasn ’ t successful on my own . I had started to think of myself in terms of what I had done , but I didn ’ t do those things by myself . It was God who had opened the doors . I thought about speaking in front of the church and thought ‘ Why me ?’ Then I thought , ‘ But really , why not me ?’ I shouldn ’ t be worried about making time or putting more on me than I can bear . God would always make a way for me .”
Dr . Giles went back to school and earned a Bachelors in Theology from Simmons College of Kentucky . Today , he may give a sermon at West Chestnut Street Baptist as often as once every other month to substitute for the Reverend , Dr . C . M . Daniels , and its not uncommon for the lines between minister and physician to blur .
I ’ ve met , and I think those stories can be encouraging for those struggling in the church .”
For fun , Eugene and Bessie Giles see their four grandchildren whenever possible , taking them to the Fair and to the movies . They travel when possible , recently visiting New York and Las Vegas .
“ My recent hobby is cars . I bought an ' 88 Corvette that I ’ m restoring , and a ' 78 Porsche 914 that I ’ m also restoring . I had a patient talk to me this past week about a 1931 Red Chevrolet Al Capone style car , but I ’ m pretty sure it ’ s going to be too pricey . Besides , my wife told me I can ’ t bring another car home ,” he laughed .
Somewhere in Dr . Giles is still that little boy who made an all-important promise to his mother , and today Eugene Giles has grown into a man of faith and responsibility , blessed with a loving family and a church that ’ s a second home .
Aaron Burch is the communications specialist for the Greater Louisville Medical Society .
Giles with his children and grandson , Eugene Giles III
“ If I have the time when I ’ m with patients and know they have a problem , I ’ ll use my ministerial side in my practice ,” he said . “ A lot of people are grateful for that and appreciate it . If a patient is having a hard time , sometimes they ask me to pray for them or with them . And I also can use my medical knowledge when I ’ m teaching . Jesus was a healer . I can incorporate stories and people
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