Tennova Turkey Creek Medical Center Investing $3 Million in Emergency Department Expansion; Increasing Capacity to 20 Patient Rooms With a Summer 2026 Completion Date

2/10/2026

Tennova Turkey Creek Medical Center is expanding its emergency department (ED) with an investment of $3 million, adding an additional eight rooms with full trauma care capabilities within a more-than-3,000 square foot expansion. The project will increase total emergency room capacity to 20 rooms. With construction underway, the expanded space is scheduled to open mid-year to serve patients needing emergency care.

In 2025 alone, Turkey Creek Medical Center provided emergency care for more than 22,000 patients, with more than 1,500 of those metro Knoxville area residents requiring specialized trauma care. Tennova Healthcare CEO Tony Benton said this expansion will greatly increase the medical center’s ability to efficiently help those needing immediate emergent care.

“As our Level III Trauma program continues to expand, this much needed project will provide the space to accommodate the growing needs of our patient population and medical professionals,“ Benton said. “The quality and safety of our patients, visitors, employees and physicians is our top priority throughout this work.

“Our ED team, from physicians to clinicians and support staff is always focused on timely care, with keen attention to low wait times and making the patient experience seamless from check in to treatment. Our consistent goal is to continue providing the high quality level of service our patients have come to expect.”

ThIs expansion will continue to allow Turkey Creek Medical Center to deliver on its 30 minute ER service pledge, enhancing patient satisfaction and accommodating the growing number of patients needing emergency care.

“As Knoxville has grown, so has the number of people who seek emergency care at our hospital,” said John Pope, M.D., Turkey Creek Medical Center ED medical director. “With more space, our medical staff, nurses and other caregivers will be able to see more patients, while also helping reduce their overall visit time.”

As part of the hospital's continued efforts to support its designation as a Level III Trauma Center, Turkey Creek Medical Center continues strengthening partnerships with local EMS agencies and enhancing coordination to ensure patients receive timely, high-quality emergency care from the field to the hospital. To further support these initiatives and prepare for the expanded ED operations, the hospital has recently recruited 15 additional positions within its emergency department.

To make room for the expanded ED footprint, a few departments will be relocating to other areas of the Turkey Creek Medical Center campus with minimal disruption for both guests and staff alike.

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