Tennessee – (WOKI / WVLT) As more than a third of Tennessee’s rural hospitals face the risk of closure, one healthcare provider is expanding services into communities outside Knoxville in an effort to improve access to specialty care.
A new national analysis found that 19 rural hospitals across Tennessee are struggling to remain open. At the same time, the Tennessee Orthopedic Alliance (TOA) is increasing its presence in rural counties throughout East Tennessee, including Loudon County, to help patients receive care closer to home.
Dr. Michael Craig, a spine specialist with TOA, said many rural communities have historically been underserved when it comes to healthcare access.
“Most counties outside the larger cities have always been medically underserved,” Craig said.
He noted that growing traffic congestion and population growth throughout East Tennessee have made it increasingly difficult for residents to travel into Knoxville for appointments and specialized treatment.
Craig said what once was a 30-minute drive into the city can now take an hour or more, creating additional barriers for patients seeking medical care.
To address those concerns, TOA has expanded satellite clinics and specialty services into surrounding counties.
“There are people coming from across the country, moving into East Tennessee,” Craig said. “We’re bringing more satellite offices and more satellite subspecialty care out to the outlying counties.”
Craig also highlighted advanced treatment options available through the practice, including procedures aimed at relieving chronic back pain caused by arthritis.
According to Craig, doctors can use a minimally invasive procedure that targets nerves associated with arthritic joints in the spine, allowing patients to find pain relief and quickly return to normal activities.
TOA’s expansion efforts include facilities in Loudon County, where physicians say local access to care can make a significant difference for patients.
Dr. Chris Shaver, a shoulder and knee surgeon with TOA, said the organization’s goal is to eliminate the need for patients to routinely travel into Knoxville for evaluations and treatment.
“We don’t want to have one central location that everyone has to drive into Knoxville to do,” Shaver said. “These smaller clinics in outlying counties provide that.”
Shaver said patients often appreciate the convenience of community-based clinics, which can offer easier parking, shorter travel times and a more personalized experience than larger medical centers.
Having practiced in the area for nearly two decades, Shaver said he has built long-term relationships with many local families, including former student-athletes he treated years ago who are now bringing their own children in for care.
He said providing healthcare in a patient’s hometown often helps create comfort and familiarity throughout the treatment process.
TOA recently opened a new physical therapy location in Loudon to complement its existing satellite office in Lenoir City. The organization says its broader mission is to meet patients where they live and improve access to orthopedic and specialty care across East Tennessee’s rural communities.
