WHM: USTA Southern Director at Large Carol Alan

For Women's History Month, USTA Southern posed a series of questions to our Southern Tennis Foundation chairman and four women on the USTA Board of Directors.
 

Dr. Carol Alan

Dr. Carol Alan is an OB/GYN physician and Residency Program Director in Columbia, S.C. She grew up in Winston-Salem, N.C, was educated at UNC-Chapel Hill and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She moved to South Carolina with her husband Dr. Rodney Alan after completing residency training at Duke University Medical Center. Even though she hails from a rich tennis family legacy, Dr. Alan started playing regularly as an adult at the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, S.C. 

She has played in every type of USTA league offered in South Carolina, has volunteered with the USTA at local, state, and sectional levels, and has volunteered for ITF and WTA pro tournaments. She is particularly interested in serving underserved populations. Carol and Rodney have three daughters who all play tennis. 

Woman who’s inspired me & why: My main inspiration is my mother, Carolyn Archie. She is the best person I know. My mom grew up in Winston Salem, NC in a family of nine children. She was discovered by Dr. Robert “Whirlwind” Johnson when she beat his player in her first tournament ever in Durham, NC. Dr. Johnson then invited her to train and travel during the summers with his players. She trained with Arthur Ashe and reached #1 in the ATA girls’ rankings. My mom went on to be the first person on either side of her family to graduate from college. She was a nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit for over 30 years. My mom taught me to care for others genuinely and compassionately while striving to be best person I could be.

When not playing tennis, I’d rather be on labor and delivery delivering babies, teaching residents and medical students, and caring for patients. Or watching my youngest daughter play doubles in her high school matches. Or reading a good book. Or singing karaoke. 

Why I volunteer: Because I’m grateful to have tennis in my life. Because tennis is an amazing sport that builds character. Because I want others to have joy in this sport like I have.