Tennova Healthcare Reports on its Care for the Greater Knoxville Community in 2025 Total Impact Reached Nearly $800 Million
3/30/2026
At more than 807,000 patient encounters last year, Tennova Healthcare, with locations at Turkey Creek, Powell, LaFollette, Newport and Jefferson City, delivered on its commitment to provide quality healthcare for the greater Knoxville metro communities. The health system’s 2025 Community Benefit Report shows care extended well beyond the hospitals and clinics, contributing nearly $800 million to the region through charity/uncompensated care provided, capital dollars reinvested in services and facilities, employee payroll, charitable projects and payment of more than$69 million in taxes that support area schools and infrastructure.
“We are here to care for our patients and the place we all call home,” said Tony Benton, chief executive officer of Tennova Healthcare. “Health is central to quality of life, and we offer advanced medical services here in Knoxville to make it easy to access the care you need. It’s our privilege to transform lives every day, helping patients manage their health at every stage of life.”
The health system used its resources to increase access and strengthen services through more than $103 million in projects, investing in additions to several facility infrastructure initiatives including: advanced surgical robotics systems; enhanced imaging systems for mammography MRI and CT; the Level III Trauma Program at Turkey Creek Medical Center; and new clinical AI solutions.
The reinvestment in services benefits local residents and serves as an important resource for patients who come from other hospitals that are 10, 50, or even as far as 100 miles away.
Keeping patients safe remains a priority, and this focus has led to recognition from the Tennessee Hospital Association’s 2025 Zero Harm Awards for achieving zero healthcare-associated catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and Clostridium difficile infections (CDI). Additionally, Turkey Creek and North Knoxville received two “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for both the Spring and Fall of 2025, recognizing the ongoing commitment to prevent patient harm.
Emergency medicine is a critical service, with more than 120,000 visits to the emergency rooms throughout Tennova Healthcare. Life-saving, medically necessary care was provided to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, with more than $267 million in charity and uncompensated care in 2025.
The health system and its employees also support local organizations that make a difference, especially those addressing social determinants of health. Through service projects such as the annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter drive for Second Harvest Food Bank and contributions to charitable organizations such as the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society, Tennova Healthcare gives back to the community throughout the year.
Payroll of more than $275 million supports the delivery of around-the-clock care by a team of physicians, nurses and support staff, all passionate about serving patients. Their compassion and skills make a difference in the lives of neighbors, friends and the larger community.
“We have immense gratitude for every member of our team, and we are investing in resources to support them in their work and a culture that attracts and retains these talented people,” said Benton. “This team is passionate about delivering quality care to those who are counting on us. We have an unwavering commitment to patient safety, clinical excellence, and doing the right thing every day for those who trust us with their care.”
Support for the future healthcare workforce includes training the next generation of medical professionals. North Knoxville Medical Center’s graduate medical education (GME) residency program for Internal Medicine physicians has mentored this new generation of physicians over the past three years. The GME program added 13 residents in 2025.
Jersey College of Nursing on the Turkey Creek Medical Center campus provides nursing students with real-world hospital experiences. With 18 nurses graduating from the program in 2025 and 152 currently enrolled, this close connection helps prepare future healthcare professionals by fostering collaboration between education and practice.
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