Lonsdale to get new health center

John CrooksOur Town Leaders

Emerald Youth Foundation will create a health center in the Lonsdale Area Ministry Complex currently under construction along Texas Avenue between Stonewall and Sherman streets.

The announcement came from Emerald’s president and CEO Steve Diggs at a breakfast May 3 at the Knoxville Expo Center, Clinton Highway.

The health center will be operated independently by Cherokee Health Systems through a collaborative agreement among Cherokee, the UT Medical Center and Emerald Youth Foundation. It will provide a continuum of patient-centered health care services with an emphasis on wellness and prevention, as well as treatment of acute and chronic conditions.

“My prayer is that this center, along with the programs Emerald Youth will be offering, will become a center of influence that will change the trajectory for families in our city,” said Dr. Keith Gray, senior vice president and chief medical officer of the UT Medical Center and member of the board of trustees of Emerald Youth Foundation. “I am excited to be working alongside so many neighborhood and community leaders to help bring this project to fruition.”

The health center will accept private insurance, state programs like TennCare or CoverKids, and will also treat those who have no insurance. A sliding fee scale will be offered to those who meet certain household size and income guidelines.

Announced in 2017, the Lonsdale Area Ministry Complex is a world-class, neighborhood complex for young people and residents of Lonsdale. It includes two multipurpose, synthetic turf fields for soccer, flag football and other sports. Additionally, the complex includes a more than 30,000 square foot multipurpose facility featuring a learning center; two full-size gymnasiums with basketball courts, locker rooms, concessions and kitchen; fitness area with weight room, dance/aerobics room and cardio theater; assembly room for gatherings; and a worship and performing arts area with practice rooms. Construction is anticipated to be completed in fall 2019.

“We are thrilled to be operating this new initiative, and we see this as a natural extension of the work we are already a part of in Knoxville,” said Dr. Roger Nooe, who chairs Cherokee Health Systems’ board of directors. “This is also a natural extension of the work Emerald Youth has developed in the area of health and creating a healthy lifestyle for urban youth and families.”

The entire project is being funded by the family foundations of Elisabeth and Bill Sansom and Dee and Jimmy Haslam.

Site plan for the new Lonsdale Community Center of Emerald Youth Foundation

Emerald Youth Foundation’s Lonsdale Ministry Complex on April 24, 2019. (Photo by Randy Sartin Photography)

 

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