local
‘Rick the Elevator Guy’: The TriStar volunteer who lost his voice but never stopped helping others
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Hunter Hoagland , WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 24, 2026
· 4 min read
What This Story Is About Rick Hunt is known as “Rick the Elevator Guy” at TriStar Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, where he spends his weekdays helping patients and visitors get where they need to go. After losing his voice and the ability to speak following cancer surgery in 2010, Rick found ...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Hunter Hoagland, WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 24, 2026 Indexed here Jul 24, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log
Key takeaway For Context In 2010, doctors diagnosed Rick with cancer and told him he would need surgery to remove his tongue and voice box.
Why this matters in The Nashville
Rick Hunt's dedication to volunteering at TriStar Summit Medical Center is a testament to the impact one person can have on a community. As a familiar face in the hospital, he has become an integral part of the patient experience, providing comfort and support to those navigating difficult times. His story also highlights the importance of volunteerism in Nashville's healthcare system, where individuals like Rick can make a tangible difference in the lives of others. The fact that Rick has continued to volunteer for seven years, despite the challenges he has faced, speaks to the strong sense of community and compassion that exists in Davidson County. As Rick plans to continue his work at TriStar Summit, his legacy serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a profound impact on those around us. His presence is a reminder of the human connection that is at the heart of healthcare.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 24, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? What This Story Is About Rick Hunt is known as “Rick the Elevator Guy” at TriStar Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, where he spends his weekdays helping patients and visitors get where they need to go. After losing his voice and the ability to speak following cancer surgery in 2010, Rick found ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Hunter Hoagland at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter