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Wlaf1450Delivers essential medical services and broad impact to the larger community
KNOXVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – Over the course of 2023, Tennova Healthcare played a vital role helping people get well and live healthier at more than 769,500 patient encounters across its five hospitals and growing network of Tennova Medical Group physician clinics and other outpatient sites of care.
TOP PHOTO: Tennova-La Follette Medical Center (PHOTO COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)
At more than 115,800 emergency department visits each year, lifesaving medically necessary care is provided for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Members of the community who cannot fully afford their medical care are provided deep discounts or even charity care and the hospital has resources to help them secure medications and medical support devices. Last year, Tennova Healthcare provided more than $236 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable.
“Tennova Healthcare plays a vital role in our community around the clock, every day of the year to help people get well and live healthier,” said Tony Benton, CEO Tennova Healthcare. “We recognize that our services are essential to the communities we serve across our network and we are committed to serving the larger community as well.”
Other support for social determinants of health in the community includes financial donations for charitable organizations such as Interfaith Health Clinic, Knoxville Area Project Access, Empower Cocke County, Campbell County Children’s Center and Isiah 117 House. Acts of service include the Jars of Love drive collecting jars of peanut and other nut butters donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, Feed My Sheep Homeless Shelter, Samaritan House, La Follette Church of God’s Food Pantry and Food Life Service.
Tennova Healthcare applies its resources to medical services, facilities and technologies that patients want to access close to home. Tennova Turkey Creek received Level III Trauma designation and North Knoxville Medical Center has expanded Emergency Services capacity with the new tower that opened in March 2024. Jefferson Memorial Hospital opened a cath lab in Jefferson City, creating more access to cardiac services and procedures for the community; more than 300 life-saving cases have been performed since opening.
In 2023, Tennova expanded clinical programs throughout the market, including cardiology, urology, radiation oncology, orthopedics and general surgery. The Tennova Health Park campus has created more medical resources for the community, including Knoxville Center for Behavioral Medicine, Knoxville Rehabilitation Hospital and Middlebrook Surgery Center.
Civic resources and services are supported by Tennova Healthcare tax payments of more than $30.5 million and the payroll of more than $240.5 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services.
Workforce development remains a priority and Tennova Healthcare has established strong relationships with local nursing programs. This includes the Jersey College School of Nursing campus at Turkey Creek Medical Center which has enrolled more than 75 students, with the first class set to graduate in May of 2025.
The North Knoxville Medical Center campus has an active internal medicine program to grow physicians to serve the communities. The hospital also supports clinical rotations for the Lincoln Memorial University Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program.
Benton continued, “The vital care we provide is only one part of the broad impact we have that adds up to more than $657 million last year. What I am most proud of is our people – our team members, physicians and leaders for their expertise, their compassion, their dedication and their resiliency. Working in a hospital is important work and our team members make miracles happen every day.”
To help the community live healthier, Tennova Healthcare offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox. Go to Tennova.com to find the hospital nearest you and sign up for the e-newsletter
About Tennova Healthcare
The Tennova Healthcare network of hospitals in East Tennessee includes Jefferson Memorial Hospital, La Follette Medical Center, Newport Medical Center, North Knoxville Medical Center and Turkey Creek Medical Center with 21,000 admissions, 599,000 outpatient visits and 115,800 emergency department visits in 2023. Learn more at Tennova.com. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/18/2024-6AM)