Thu, Aug 7, 2025 at 11:03 PM

More Than Medicine: Dr. Chad Sisk, Gastroenterology, Medical Plaza at Marshall Medical North

For Dr. Chad Sisk, life outside of the clinic is all about simple joys—weekend road trips with his wife, digging in the garden, spending time with their rescue cat, and savoring a really good pizza. It’s this balance of work, adventure, and home that makes him the perfect fit for our More Than Medicine series, where we spotlight the lives of our physicians beyond the hospital.

Weekend Explorations and Home Projects

When Dr. Sisk isn’t on call, weekends are often spent exploring neighboring towns with his wife, Allison, a registered dietitian at Marshall Medical Centers.

“We recently went to Tupelo, Mississippi, to see Elvis Presley’s boyhood home,” he says. “We like to get out and experience new places.”

When they’re not traveling, you’ll find the couple tackling projects around the house or out in the yard. Dr. Sisk also enjoys going on walks on the Sunset trail, while Allison prefers to run.

“I love to garden and piddle when it’s not too hot,” he says. “My biggest accomplishment is my olive tree. I started it from a seedling, and now it’s about six feet tall—and it’s producing olives! We’ve moved it twice, repotted it a couple of times, and it’s still thriving. I’m really proud of that olive tree.”

Along with his prized tree, Dr. Sisk also grows cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, squash, okra and a variety of hot peppers in raised garden beds.

Sports, Pizza, and a Cat Named Frank

When it’s time to relax, Dr. Sisk enjoys watching sports—especially college football. “Being from the South, I love anything college sports-related,” he says. He even played basketball in college, which isn’t too shocking judging by his very tall stature.

Dr. Sisk and Allison share their home with Frank, an orange tabby cat they rescued in a memorable way.

“Allison actually rescued him from a storm drain at the hospital we used to work at. We took him in reluctantly at first, but he’s turned out to be the perfect indoor cat. He’s basically our adopted son,” Dr. Sisk jokes.

And when it comes to comfort food?

“Pizza,” he says without hesitation. “Not fast food pizza—I mean a really good Chicago or New York style pizza.”

From the Army to Guntersville

Dr. Sisk’s career path has been as interesting as his hobbies. He spent 11 years in the U.S. Army, serving as a flight surgeon, and was even stationed at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville back in 1996—his first connection to the area. Afterward, he worked in private practice for 15 years and later for a corporate hospital in Georgia before deciding it was time for a change.

“I’m from a small town in North Georgia, so Guntersville feels like a big town compared to what I’m used to,” he says. “I really like being away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.”

Lessons from Life Outside Medicine

Through his experiences, Dr. Sisk has learned an important lesson that guides his life:

"Treat everyone with respect. You never know what someone else might be going through. I just try to give everybody a fair shake. Sometimes it’s just who they are, but sometimes it’s because of something you can’t see.”

It’s this mindset that influences the way he cares for his patients and connects with those around him.

What Could Have Been

While medicine became his calling, Dr. Sisk laughs when he recalls his earliest career goal: “When I was little, I wanted to be a garbage man. They just seemed so cool riding on the trucks, and they were always so nice.”

If he hadn’t become a physician, he’s certain he would have pursued another passion: food.

“I’d probably own a restaurant. I love to cook, especially Italian food,” he says. “I actually learned how to cook Italian while working in a restaurant in high school. But my wife’s a dietitian, so she’s not too fond of how much butter and salt I use,” he adds with a grin.

Music and a Few Surprises

Dr. Sisk has a love for Americana country music, with artists like Tyler Childers at the top of his playlist. But he admits his wife recently introduced him to something unexpected: the Taylor Swift Eras Tour.

“Allison is the Swiftie,” he says. “I felt like I was just being dragged along… but it actually turned out to be a great show.”

Whether he’s caring for patients, tending to his olive tree, or exploring new towns with Allison and Frank, Dr. Chad Sisk approaches life with a mix of curiosity, hard work, and heart.

Because at the end of the day, what makes our physicians exceptional isn’t just what they do in the hospital—it’s who they are outside of it. And that’s More Than Medicine.