Growth and Expansion Ahead for Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital

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Two dynamic words come to mind when describing the future of health care in Blount County and East Tennessee: better together! An exciting new chapter is being written about the story of Blount Memorial Hospital, now Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital. In December 2024, South Carolina-based Prisma Health officially announced the integration of the Maryville facility, making it the first hospital outside the Palmetto State to join the private nonprofit health care company. 

Planning for a Bright Future 

The future-focused plans were unveiled to the region after months of collaboration, negotiations, extensive due diligence and comprehensive groundwork to ensure a seamless transition for patients, guests and team members. 

Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital now has eye-catching new signage along with multiple teams from South Carolina and East Tennessee working together daily to deliver high-quality, innovative care to the area surrounded by the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Their efforts are preserving the hospital’s legacy of community-focused health care since 1947, yet with an eye toward a healthy tomorrow. 

“Both Prisma Health and Blount Memorial share a common goal of putting the patient first,” says Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital CEO Jonathan Smith. “Since we’ve joined Prisma Health, I think the reaction from our neighbors is exactly what we hoped it would be. It has really opened the community’s eyes to what services we’ll be able to offer as we continue to move forward.” 

Mark O’Halla, president and CEO of Prisma Health, echoes Smith’s excitement about joining forces to offer health care excellence. 

“Blount Memorial Hospital has devoted years to developing a strong culture and providing compassionate clinical care,” O’Halla says. “We’re proud to be able to provide additional resources and support for Blount Memorial to continue serving the community, including proven strategies for patient experience and quality outcomes. We’re all here to help our patients achieve and maintain better health.” 

Courtesy of Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital

Investing in the Community 

Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital patients can continue to rely on the outstanding care they’ve always come to expect from their trusted local care providers and teams, along with some new enhancements. 

Written on Prisma Health’s list of long-term improvements are new clinics and locations to increase access to primary and specialty providers. Upgrades to facilities, services and technologies to offer the most leading-edge care and treatments are other future priorities. Plus, the hospital aims to provide an improved patient experience, utilizing new systems and digital tools to make scheduling appointments and communicating with doctors and nurses easier. 

Prisma Health has committed to invest a minimum of $275 million in capital improvements in the East Tennessee region over the next decade, including the implementation of its systemwide electronic health records platform. It also has committed to expanding services and attracting highly qualified physicians and clinical experts and continuing all essential services for at least 10 years. 

“Together, we’re working toward expansion, growth and recruitment. We recruited more than two dozen new physicians to work for Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital in the first nine months. But what always remains and what’s always top of mind is earning the trust of our community for the care they rely on,” Smith adds. “Together, the long-term impact we will have on patients and the health of our communities is significant, and we’re very happy to have found the right partner.” 

Courtesy of Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital

About Prisma Health 

Prisma Health’s focus is to transform the health care experience for patients and families by living their purpose: Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference. Also, the company is committed to providing financial assistance to patients who meet income and asset limit requirements. 

Based in Greenville, South Carolina, it is the largest health care organization in the state, with 32,000 team members, 19 acute and specialty hospitals, 3,131 licensed beds, 320 practice sites, and more than 5,900 employed and independent clinicians across its clinically integrated inVio Health Network. Along with this innovative network, it serves more than 1.6 million unique patients annually in its South Carolina and Tennessee service areas.