Miranda Gooch: Balancing Work with Grace

As any Human Resources professional will tell you, working in an organization’s HR department is not for the faint of heart. HR jobs are by necessity highly regulated (because people are…well, people). In addition to overseeing policies and procedures surrounding employee staffing and benefits, HR departments must oversee and carefully implement an organization’s disciplinary policies and procedures.

By definition, that means the Director of HR must have pretty tough skin—tough enough to address the thorniest, most sensitive, most legally fraught problems that human nature can create; confident enough to weather conflict, take criticism and endure being misunderstood; able to make quick and often difficult decisions;  and clearsighted enough to apply the rules consistently and with integrity, no matter what position a person holds.

Miranda Gooch, Director of HR for HOPE Family Health, somehow manages to find a crucial balance: the practical, clear-sided approach that hard decisions require, alongside uncommon grace, compassion, and an instinct for finding solutions that come as close as humanly possible to serving the interests of all concerned. Her care for HOPE, its staff and the patients we serve has earned the respect of everyone who interacts with her, and she has become an essential member of HOPE’s leadership team.

Balancing Work and Life

Miranda grew up in Scottsville, Kentucky, graduating from Allen County-Scottsville High and later attending Volunteer State Community College. She first moved to Macon County, Tennessee, in 2000. Today, she and her husband Brandon live in Lafayette.

“Outside of work, my family is a big part of my life,” Miranda says. Married to Brandon Gooch since 2024, Miranda says they stay busy with their crew. “My son Landon is in his first year at Tennessee Tech [Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville] where he’s pursuing engineering, which has been really exciting to watch. My stepdaughter Addison works at HOPE in our Gallatin office, and my stepson Brayden is working as well, so we’re all kind of on the go in different directions.”

“Brandon and I love to travel, especially cruising—if there’s a boat involved, we’re probably interested,” she continues. “We also enjoy touring bourbon distilleries, trying new places to eat, and playing on a co-ed softball team with Addison and Brayden, which keeps things fun and competitive. And when I need to slow things down a little, I cross stitch—it’s probably the

calmest part of my life.”

Miranda’s career is defined by a nontraditional path grounded in experience, growth, and a commitment to continuous learning. “My path wasn’t the traditional four-year college route,” she says. “I’ve really built my career through hands-on experience, which has shaped who I am professionally.”

Along with a strong work ethic, innate organizational skills and an uncommon proficiency in IT, Miranda’s professional roles prior to her work at HOPE gave her familiarity with office management and knowledge of the regulations and protocols of a busy HR department.

Growing with HOPE

Like many HOPE employees, Miranda recalls her exact starting date: April 23, 2015.

“I actually heard about HOPE through someone I knew who was working here at the time,” she recalls. “They told me about an opening for an IT/Data Navigator, and I decided to apply. I interviewed with the entire administrative team, which was a little intimidating, but a great experience. I was offered the position, and I had no idea then how impactful that opportunity would be, both professionally and personally.”

“Looking back, it’s hard to imagine where I’d be if I hadn’t taken that step.”

Prior to working at HOPE Miranda says she had never specifically considered the healthcare field as an option, not realizing there might be a fit for her skills set.

“I don’t think I fully realized the range of administrative opportunities that existed in this field,” she says. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for the people who work directly with patients, but I’ll be honest—I’m not cut from the same cloth when it comes to handling bodily fluids! The sight of blood has been known to make me pass out, so I quickly realized my role was better suited to the administrative side of healthcare."

By 2015 HOPE had grown from its initial staff of four in a double-wide trailer to approximately 35 employees at two locations: the current HOPE Westmoreland site, and HOPE Westside in Macon County. Still, HOPE was less than half the size it is today.

“When I started, we were still pretty small—the BH department was a total of one employee, and the pharmacy and the Gallatin site weren’t even on the radar at that point,” Miranda recalls. “It’s been really incredible to see how much we’ve grown since then.”

“Honestly, I couldn’t believe a place like HOPE existed,” she recalls. “I was overwhelmed by how understanding and supportive everyone was—I didn’t feel like I had to choose between being a mom and being an employee. I was able to be both, and that meant a lot to me. I was also struck by how open and respectful the environment is, including the ability to express our faith. It really felt like I had hit the lottery when it came to employers.”

Miranda says HOPE has played a pivotal role in her growth as a human being, both personally and professionally. Significantly, her personal growth has greatly impacted how she views her professional role as Director of HR at HOPE.

“Most of what I brought with me when I started has been refined and strengthened during my time at HOPE,” Miranda says. “I came in with a foundation in IT, data, administration, and Human Resources, including talent acquisition and workforce development, along with some leadership experience. But that was really just the beginning of what I know now. Being here has challenged me to grow and expand in ways I didn’t expect. Personally, I’ve grown so much just by being in this environment.”

She explains, “Every day holds a constant reminder that everyone is carrying something, and that even the smallest act of kindness or understanding can make a real difference in someone’s life. Through that, I’ve developed a deeper sense of compassion, along with a stronger confidence in who I am.”

“I’ve also learned the importance of self-love and self-care—something I don’t think I would have prioritized the same way anywhere else,” she adds. “Most importantly, I’ve learned how to lead with grace and vulnerability, and that has made the biggest difference in who I am as a leader. … HOPE has truly shaped me not just as a professional, but as a person.”

Hearing HOPE’s Call

Among her most significant accomplishments as Director of HR are the addition of health insurance and a retirement plan for HOPE’s employees—both fairly recent developments that have greatly increased HOPE’s ability to recruit and retain qualified health care professionals in a medically underserved rural area. By finding ways to improve employee benefits and quality of life, Miranda’s contributions have better equipped HOPE to provide its patients with quality care on a par with providers in larger, more urban areas.

When asked what she finds most memorable about the years she’s worked at HOPE so far, Miranda does not have to think twice.

“The most memorable part [of working at HOPE] has been the incredible people I’ve had the privilege to work with and learn from over the years,” she says.

The story of HOPE’s founding by former CEO Jenny Dittes includes at least one harrowing survival story from its early years and more than one example of what appears to be nothing short of Divine intervention keeping its doors open through challenging situations.

“I’ve seen God work within HOPE in ways that are hard to explain,” says Miranda. “Time and time again, He has provided, opened doors, and made a way—even when we couldn’t see what the next step was. Those moments have been incredibly meaningful and something I’ll never forget.”

That sense of calling permeates HOPE’s work environment every day even for administrative staff whose jobs rarely call for direct interaction with patients.

“What I love most about working at HOPE is knowing that the work we do truly matters,” says Miranda. “We’re making a real difference in a world that can sometimes feel cold and disconnected. I also really cherish the environment and culture we’ve built—our employees are seen, valued, and cared for as people, not just as employees. That makes a huge difference in how we show up for each other and for our patients.”

Miranda’s drive to do and be better at her work each day is a trait she shares in common with HOPE. While HOPE’s different departments all undergo extensive annual trainings and audits by independent third parties as well as regulatory government agencies, every training and high audit score serves to encourage positive health outcomes and patient experiences for the people HOPE serves.

“We’re always striving to be better, and I think that’s one of [HOPE’s] strengths,” Miranda observes. “We set high standards for ourselves, especially with the audits and reviews we go through each year, and the results reflect our commitment to continuous improvement.”

Embracing the Future

Though some resist advances in technology, especially artificial intelligence, Miranda firmly believes in the necessity of embracing new technologies in ways that serve HOPE’s mission without displacing the human touch or in any way compromising patient care.

“Healthcare is evolving quickly, and one of the biggest changes right now is the integration of AI,” she observes. “We’re actively working to implement it in meaningful ways, starting with tools like Ambient Scribe for our providers, which they’re already seeing great value in. The key for us is to stay ahead of these changes and embrace them strategically so we can keep improving both the patient and provider experience.”

As healthcare industry norms continue to shift and impact more people, HOPE’s role in the wellbeing of the communities it serves increases daily in importance—a fact not lost on Miranda and HOPE’s other leadership team members.

“What we’re doing right now is incredibly important because access to healthcare is still out of reach for so many people,” she says. “At HOPE, we’re making it possible for everyone to receive high-quality care, no matter who they are or where they come from. More than that, we’re showing people that they matter—we’re meeting them where they are and offering hope in moments when they may feel like they’ve lost it. At the core of it all, we’re living out what God calls us to do—to love our neighbors—and that’s what makes the work we do so meaningful.

Miranda has her own vision for HOPE’s future.

“I want to see HOPE continue to be a place that is always there for those who need us most, no matter what,” she says. Ever practical, she adds, “I want us to be financially strong and stable so that reducing services or closing locations is never something we have to consider. More than that, I want HOPE to continue to lead in healthcare—to be an example of what compassionate, high-quality care should look like.”

“I truly believe HOPE has been guided and provided for every step of the way, and my hope is that we continue to follow that direction, honoring God in the work we do and in the way we care for people.”

Miranda’s heart for people shows every day in how she performs her work.

“I want our readers to know that HOPE is truly for everyone,” she says. “No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you’re walking through, you will be treated with compassion, respect, and dignity. We provide high-quality care, but what truly sets HOPE apart is the heart behind it—we genuinely care about people and meet them where they are.”

“For many, HOPE is more than just a healthcare provider,” she continues. “It’s a place where they feel seen, valued, and supported. At the core of everything we do is a calling to serve others, to love our neighbors, and to make a real difference in people’s lives. It’s not lost on me how unique this place is, and I truly believe God has His hand in it. It’s more than just a job—it’s a purpose, and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of something that’s making such a real difference in people’s lives.”

“HOPE is special,” she concludes. “If you’ve experienced it, you know exactly what I mean. And honestly, if you’re not coming to HOPE for your healthcare needs, you’re missing out.”