As Father’s Day approaches, many dads reflect on what matters most—faith, family and the moments that shape their children’s lives. For Daryl Carter, a husband, father, coach and former athlete, some of those defining moments came through an unexpected journey of healing that connected both him and his son, Jude, to Frye Regional Medical Center and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Reid Russell, DO.

Daryl’s story began on the sidelines at Hickory Christian Academy, where he coached and first met Nick Seiler, Frye Regional’s manager of sports medicine and community outreach. Nick supports student-athletes, like Jude, with care and dedication.

“Nick was always gracious,” Daryl recalled. “Any time we had an issue, he helped us navigate next steps, and that’s how we were introduced to Dr. Russell.”

In November 2023, Daryl underwent knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus root and address unexpected arthritis. “From the beginning, the experience was excellent,” he said. “Everyone from the front office staff to Dr. Russell and his PA took time to listen. I always felt seen, and they made sure I understood every option.”

Today, nearly two years later, Daryl is back to an active lifestyle and says, “I feel excellent.”

But the story doesn’t end there.

Just months after Daryl’s surgery, Jude—then a high school sophomore—faced his own knee challenge: a partially torn patellar tendon. Again, the Carters turned to Dr. Russell for guidance.

“We were given a choice—rehab or surgery,” Daryl explained. “We opted for surgery, and Jude had his procedure in January. After four weeks of recovery, Nick stepped in with one-on-one therapy sessions to get him back on the field. Thanks to their collaborative care, Jude returned to baseball sooner than expected. We thought he’d miss the whole season, but he got to finish it.”

Now a top-ranked rising junior in North Carolina, Jude is heading to Kingsmen Baseball Academy in Gastonia to continue his academic and athletic journey.

For Daryl, the entire experience has been a testament to the power of community, connection and commitment. “Everything—from diagnosis to post-op—was handled with care, professionalism, and a personal touch,” Daryl said. “They never rushed us. They listened.”

Daryl and his wife Rachel have two sons. Their eldest, Jack, is married and living in Texas, where he works for the well-known YouTube group Dude Perfect. Reflecting on fatherhood, Daryl says it’s about far more than just being present.

“It’s about investment in your children and mentoring them, guiding them through different seasons of life, helping them grow in faith and maturity, and equipping them to make wise decisions,” Daryl concluded. “Being a dad and a husband is what life’s about.”

This Father’s Day, we’re proud to honor Daryl and all the fathers in our community.

Frye Regional Medical Center is committed to ensuring that every patient receives quality care and comfort regardless of health concerns. To find a provider, visit FryeMedCenter.com or call 828.315.3391