Chattanooga, TN Health Care Systems Grow to Meet Community Needs
Greater Chattanooga’s health care systems expand facilities, services
Relocating businesses find one of Greater Chattanooga’s most attractive qualities includes the highest quality health care. That’s important for attracting talent as well.
Home to four major health systems and a roster of community hospitals, the region continues to grow its health care industry, offering residents comprehensive and specialized care close to home.
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Parkridge Health System
The system is also exploring an expansion of emergency services in Chattanooga, upgrading the exterior of its Parkridge Medical Center facility and renovating internally to provide for new technology, equipment and a better patient experience overall.
Erlanger Health System
Erlanger Health System, an academic medical center affiliated with the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga, is the region’s largest health-care provider and employs more than 6,100 workers.
Long known for its In February 2018, Erlanger opened a $20 million Heart and Lung Institute that features state-of-the-art robotic heart surgery and minimally invasive procedures, four operating rooms and eight catheterization labs utilizing the latest diagnostic imaging equipment.
“It’s in one unit where the cardiologists and the cardiac surgeons work together in a collaborative manner,” says Kevin Spiegel, president and CEO of Erlanger Health.
Long known for re-investing in the community, Erlanger embarked on several major expansions in the recent past, including an 88-bed behavioral health hospital now under construction in partnership with Acadia as well as a comprehensive cancer center near Hamilton Place Mall. Erlanger plans to build a 25-bed, $32.6 million hospital in Dunlap, Tenn., and replace Erlanger Bledsoe Hospital with a new $4.3 million emergency center in Pikeville, Tenn.
Siskin Hospital
For its part, Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation has experienced a growth surge, adding 20 percent more beds to the hospital. The outpatient clinics grew by 50 percent in 2017, which is leading the hospital to relocate its Gunbarrel Road outpatient clinic to a larger facility off East Brainerd Road in Chattanooga.
“We are excited about our recent growth because it means that more people are able to access top-quality rehabilitation,” says Carol W. Sim, president and CEO of Siskin Hospital.
Besides offering residents quality rehabilitation services, Siskin also plays a role in workforce development by serving as a training ground for students. Siskin partners with a number of therapy programs across the country and five nursing schools to provide hands-on clinical training.
“We are also about to make rehabilitation-related education available to key health care partners via technology to promote leading-edge rehab knowledge throughout this region,” Sim says.
CHI Memorial
CHI Memorial, which includes The Chattanooga Heart Institute, is expanding services in eastern Hamilton County. In addition to a regional sleep center and corporate offices for home health and provider services, the expansion includes primary and urgent care for children and adults, as well as specialty care for cardiac and breast health.
“It’s important for CHI Memorial to provide what we refer to as ‘health care on demand’ — that is, locations close to home or work with convenient access to providers at times that fit busy lifestyles,” says Larry Schumacher, CHI Memorial CEO and senior vice president of operations, Southeast Division, Catholic Health Initiatives.
In 2017, CHI Memorial announced the acquisition of the former Cornerstone Medical Center in Fort Oglethorpe and the former Hutcheson on the Parkway in nearby Ringgold, Ga.
“This will enable physicians and associates at CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia to collaborate and innovate with other physicians within CHI Memorial in order to improve the delivery of efficient and effective inpatient and outpatient care across a broad geographical region,” Schumacher says.
