Farragut residents know they have it good. For a small community – fewer than 25,000 residents – Farragut has beautiful neighborhoods, excellent schools, abundant outdoor amenities, and great places to shop and eat. One of our best assets, though we don’t think of it until we need it, is a strong hospital. Turkey Creek Medical Center has been serving Farragut, as well as surrounding areas, since 2003.
Not all Tennessee communities are as fortunate, especially those outside of high-population areas. According to Becker’s Hospital CFO Report from July 2018, Tennessee has seen the second-most rural hospital closures – eight – of the 26 states in which at least one rural hospital has closed since 2010. Tennova Healthcare, which operates TCMC, made the decision to close Physician’s Regional Hospital, the former St. Mary’s, this year.
As part of that transition, the company will be reinvesting in TCMC and North Knoxville Medical Center, says Turkey Creek’s CEO Tony Benton. And that will ultimately benefit the Farragut community.
Tennova’s plans for a new 5,400-square-foot cardiac catheterization lab, as well as a new elevated walkway between the medical office building and the hospital, were on the Farragut Planning Commission’s Nov. 15 agenda. It will be the hospital’s fifth cath lab.
The changes will result in an additional 37 beds in the hospital’s cardiac unit, including 12 in the cardiac intensive care unit.
Benton says Tennova Heart has brought together some of the country’s best cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons.
“We offer some of the most advanced cardiac care in the country. It rivals that of a large academic institution.”
The consolidation has brought other specialists to TCMC, too. The hospital has started a neurosurgery program, and its orthopedic program is growing.
One service that is no longer available at TCMC is obstetrics. Those who want to deliver a baby in a Tennova facility will have to go to North Knoxville to do it. Obstetrical bed space at TCMC has been converted to general medical/surgical beds, additional operating rooms and ICU beds.
Benton is looking forward to focusing his attention on TCMC and hopes to grow the services offered.
“It’s a great hospital with great space. It’s a good environment in which to receive care,” he says. “We’re happy to serve the community and want to be a part of the community.”
Wendy Smith coordinates marketing and public relations for the Town of Farragut.