By Karen Middleton
ATHENS — Carol Burmester of Cullman was a model student in high school.
So when, as a senior, her study hall teacher suggested she go on a blind date with her son, a senior at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Carol complied.
It was a lesson she learned well. Carol and the teacher’s son, Dr. Robert Sandlin of Athens, just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a surprise trip to Rome.
“I didn’t even know what he looked like or he, me, but it turned out nice,” said Carol of that first date.
For 24 years Carol has worked as her husband’s assistant. It probably comes as no surprise to Dr. Sandlin’s patients that Carol was a high achiever. Her unfailingly cheerful demeanor and caring attitude toward patients makes visiting the doctor a pleasant experience.
After high school Carol attended the University of Alabama in Huntsville, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. After graduation, she went to work at Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham.
In the meantime, that first blind date had blossomed into a serious relationship and she and Robert were married. The couple moved to Athens in 1985 and Carol got a job in the Intensive Care Unit of Athens-Limestone Hospital and Robert opened Athens Eye Clinic.
After a year at Athens-Limestone, Carol came to work in Robert’s office.
The Sandlins have two children, Daniel, 22, who will begin medical school at UAB in the summer, and Megan, 19, who is a sophomore in pre-med at Birmingham Southern.
An example of Carol’s dedication to duty, she worked at the clinic all day while in labor for Megan.
“Luckily, she held off until the next day,” said Carol.
The Sandlins attend First United Methodist Church and Carol is a member of the tennis league at Canebrake.
A lot of couples couldn’t do the 24-7 gig of working and living together, but Carol said when the couple takes a break to go on vacation, “We can’t wait to get back and we talk about the office all the time we’re gone.”
A seven-year colon cancer survivor, Carol minimizes her battle.
“People who come in here have their own problems,” she said. “They shouldn’t have to hear about mine.”
But Carol is always ready to lend an ear to someone who is hurting. She keeps on hand a supply of what she calls her “pocket angels.” Patients may come in suffering from eye infections, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration or other problems and Carol wants to lift their spirits as well as treat their ailments.
“I buy angels big enough to put in your pocket,” she said. “When you need an angel, you need it handy.”
She said she began her pocket-angel “ministry” when a late patient of her husband’s made her a crystal angel pin.
“I purchased my supply of angels from her until she passed away,” said Carol.
During the Sandlins’ 25th anniversary trip to Rome in June, Carol bought a supply of tiny carved angels encased in a Lucite bubble no larger than a worry rock.
“I’ve just about given those all away,” she said. “People bring so much to you if you’ll let them.”
