When you sit down with Dr. William Beauchamp, an orthopedic surgeon at Highpoint Health Sumner with Ascension Saint Thomas in Gallatin, you immediately notice something beyond his medical expertise—his gentle, calming voice and the way he makes you feel heard. It’s the kind of presence that reassures patients they are in good hands, not just medically, but personally.

His journey to orthopedics began in an unlikely place: a dairy farm in Michigan. As a teenager, Beauchamp watched his family’s cattle suffer from a muscle-wasting disease. His father—an Apollo project engineer who never gave up on the farm—had him work the animals’ legs day after day, hoping to restore movement. Even as the cows eventually died, the lesson stuck. “My dad would never give up so I said to myself, ‘I will never quit again,’” he remembers. That determination, coupled with summers spent in emergency rooms and shadowing physical therapists, planted the seed for a lifelong calling: helping people get back on their feet.

After training in Detroit and serving in the Army, Beauchamp put down roots in Middle Tennessee, where he has practiced for more than 22 years. He loves the mix of rural and suburban life here and the opportunity to care for such a wide range of people—from farmers to athletes, and everyone in between.

While orthopedics has advanced with robotics and cutting-edge technology, Beauchamp is quick to remind patients that the heart of medicine hasn’t changed. “When patients go to sleep for surgery, they give us the greatest trust in the world,” he says his voice gravely with emotion. “It’s not just about skill—it’s about dignity.” He makes it a point to sit with patients, share X-rays and test results, and invite them into the healing process. “If we haven’t done that right, I want you to tell me.”

That commitment to respect and compassion is one of the reasons Beauchamp feels at home at Highpoint Health. On his first day, he was greeted warmly by nearly everyone he passed—from administrators to cleaning staff. “It struck me that the professionalism here isn’t just about the surgeons,” he recalls. “It’s a culture of kindness.”

Outside of the hospital, Beauchamp stays deeply connected to the community. He and his wife raised five children and now enjoy 15 grandchildren (along with their dog, Zoe). He’s a Michigan State fan, cheers on the Nashville Predators, and supports local sports programs. For him, investing in the community is essential. “If a town doesn’t support its hospital, the hospital dies—and the town dies,” he says.

When asked what advice he gives patients, Beauchamp keeps it simple: be open, honest, and willing to speak up. “This is your time,” he says. “If we can have that dialogue, we can help you get better.”

For Dr. Beauchamp, it all comes back to the principles that have guided him from the farm to the operating room: give a damn, never give up, and always treat people with dignity.

Dr. Beauchamp practices orthopedics and sports medicine at his new clinic in Gallatin, Highpoint Orthopedics and Neurosurgery, located at 179 Hancock St., Suite 404. To learn more, visit.