Blogs

Open Position at Mercy Community Healthcare

By Susan Swartz posted 19 hours ago
Chief Executive Officer in Franklin, TN Mercy Community Healthcare is looking for a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who is responsible for exemplifying Mercy’s Christian mission and corporate values while leading the organization as both a ministry and a healthcare provider. The CEO provides overall management, strategic direction, and operational oversight to ensure fulfillment of Mercy’s mission, vision, and goals. This includes leading the Executive Strategy Team (EST), overseeing financial stewardship, cultivating organizational growth, and building strong community partnerships that enhance awareness, collaboration, and support across the state of Tennessee. ...

Staying Safe Online: Celebrating Cybersecurity Awareness Month

By Jayda Morse posted 10-09-2025
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month , and the Tennessee Primary Care Association (TPCA) is proud to join the national effort to promote safe and secure online practices. Led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), Cybersecurity Awareness Month is now in its 22nd year. Each October, organizations across the country come together to highlight the shared responsibility we all have in protecting our digital lives—whether at work, at home, or in our communities. This year’s theme, “Stay Safe Online,” focuses on making cybersecurity approachable and achievable for everyone. ...

Combatting Substance Use Disorders in Primary Care

By Jacqueline Bascom posted 09-15-2025
The Train New Trainers Primary Care - Training and Education in Addiction Medicine (PC-TEAM) Fellowship focuses on equipping primary care providers with the skills to effectively manage substance use disorders. This program is vital for enhancing the capacity of healthcare professionals to address addiction issues within primary care settings. Key Learnings Substance Use Screening: Participants learn how to conduct evidence-based screenings for substance use in busy medical environments, ensuring early detection of potential issues. This proactive approach is crucial for managing addiction effectively. Diagnosis and Treatment of Substance ...

Expanding Pediatric Psychiatric Expertise

By Jayda Morse posted 08-20-2025
The Train New Trainers (TNT) Primary Care – Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship focuses on empowering primary care providers with specialized knowledge in child and adolescent mental health. This program is crucial for equipping healthcare professionals with the skills needed to address psychiatric needs in younger populations. Key Learnings Conducting Psychiatric Interviews for Youth: Participants are trained to perform evidence-informed psychiatric evaluations tailored for children and adolescents. This skill is essential for accurately diagnosing mental health conditions in a demographic with distinct developmental and psychological ...

A Conversation with Dr. Brad Carter, Vice President of Primary Care Services for River Valley Health

By Jayda Morse posted 08-18-2025
Each year in East Tennessee, River Valley Health ensures that nearly 70,000 community members receive compassionate, high-quality healthcare—regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Originally founded in 1960 as a mental health clinic, the organization—formerly known as Cherokee Health Systems—has grown steadily to meet the evolving needs of its patients. Today, as a Federally Qualified Health Center , River Valley Health offers a full scope of services, including primary care, while also staying true to its roots in behavioral health. For the past fifteen years, Dr. Brad Carter has played a key role in shaping that vision. ...

Gen Z, Meet CHCs: Why Our Generation Should Be Paying Attention

By Jayda Morse posted 08-08-2025
National Health Center Week 2025 | “Celebrating the Past, Present, and Future” Gen Z is known for caring deeply about healthcare access, community resources, and mental health—but many don’t know that community health centers (CHCs) are already doing the work. To briefly introduce myself, my name is Jayda Morse, and I’m a Gen Z professional working as the Health Communications Coordinator at the Tennessee Primary Care Association (TPCA). Our mission is to improve access to primary care through leadership, advocacy, and support as the collective voice of Tennessee’s CHCs. CHCs are one of the most impactful—and too often overlooked—parts ...

Celebrating Whole-Child Health at Memphis Health Center’s New Children’s Wellness Clinic

By Jayda Morse posted 08-06-2025
National Health Center Week 2025 | “Celebrating the Past, Present, and Future” At Memphis Health Center (MHC) , caring for children goes beyond treating symptoms—it’s about nurturing the whole child and supporting the whole family. In the spirit of National Health Center Week and its theme of honoring six decades of community health impact, TPCA is proud to feature MHC’s Children’s Wellness Clinic (CWC) , a new initiative focused on long-term wellness and whole-person care. Led by Dr. Sachin Jogal, a full-time pediatrician at MHC, the Children’s Wellness Clinic is redefining pediatric care in Memphis by integrating medical, behavioral, ...

Powering Communities Through Caring: The Past, Present, and Future

By Jayda Morse posted 08-04-2025
Featuring Libby Thurman & Sade' Sleet of the Tennessee Primary Care Association As we celebrate National Health Center Week 2025 and reflect on the legacy of community health in Tennessee, we’re taking a moment to honor two team members whose stories show how the past, present, and future of this work continue to power communities through caring. In this special conversation-style blog, we hear from Libby Thurman, TPCA’s Chief Executive Officer and longest-serving staff member, and Sade' Sleet, TPCA’s newest addition and Workforce Program Manager. Their perspectives reflect different points in their journeys—but a shared passion for ...

From Grassroots to Guiding Force: 60 Years of Community Health Centers in Tennessee

By Emily Waitt Hise posted 08-01-2025
National Health Center Week 2025 | Celebrating the Past, Present, and Future Each August, National Health Center Week honors the vital role community health centers play in strengthening public health and expanding access to care. This year, as we commemorate 60 years of the health center movement , we’re taking time to reflect on Tennessee’s journey—from a network of disconnected clinics to a unified force shaping the future of healthcare across the state. When Unity Became Urgency By the 1970s, Tennessee’s rural and urban health centers were quietly doing the work—providing care in some of the state’s most medically underserved ...

One Big Beautiful Bill Act – Medicaid and ACA Marketplace Changes

By Emily Waitt Hise posted 07-30-2025
President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), or H.R. 1, into law on July 4, 2025. The bill makes significant changes to key health care programs including Medicaid, known as TennCare in our state, and the ACA Marketplace. While many of the Medicaid-related provisions impact Medicaid expansion states (states that have expanded eligibility to cover adults with incomes between 100-138% of the Federal Poverty Level), folks covered by TennCare and the ACA Marketplace will still experience impacts. These changes will leave an estimated 290,000 Tennesseans uninsured by 2034 , according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. ...

Enhancing Primary Care with Psychiatry Training

By Jacqueline Bascom posted 07-28-2025
The Train New Trainers (TNT) Primary Care Psychiatry Fellowship stands out for its comprehensive approach to integrating psychiatric training into primary care. By emphasizing practical, evidence-based methodologies, this program equips healthcare providers with the skills necessary to conduct thorough psychiatric evaluations efficiently. Key Learnings: Conducting Psychiatric Interviews: The fellowship teaches primary care providers how to perform effective psychiatric interviews, crucial for diagnosing a variety of mental health conditions. This skill ensures that providers can address mental health issues promptly within the primary care ...

A Conversation with Teresa Dabney, CEO of Community Health of East Tennessee, Inc.

By Jayda Morse posted 07-17-2025
In Campbell County, Tennessee, where winding roads meet mountain views, Community Health of East Tennessee (CHET) is more than a clinic—it’s a lifeline for thousands. What began as a Black Lung Clinic in 1980 has grown into a full-fledged Federally Qualified Health Center serving nearly 5,000 patients a year. CHET now operates a behavioral health clinic, a medical clinic with thirteen providers, two domestic violence shelters, and a free clothing thrift store—meeting a wide range of needs for a community with limited resources.¹ Teresa Dabney, CHET’s CEO, has been there since the beginning. “Our mission statement is ‘Answering the Need,’ ...

Open Position at Memphis Health Center

By Susan Swartz posted 06-30-2025
OB/GYN (Obstetrician/Gynecologist) in Memphis, TN Memphis Health Center is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) to join their team of healthcare professionals. This is a full-time, on-site position serving a diverse patient population in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) setting. The ideal candidate will be committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care and have a passion for working in underserved communities. Key Responsibilities: Deliver comprehensive OB/GYN services including prenatal, postnatal, and general gynecological care Perform deliveries and gynecological surgeries as required ...

When Mental Health Becomes a Primary Care Problem, and What to Do About It

By Dr. Virmarie Diaz-Fernandez posted 06-25-2025
This guest post was contributed by Dr. Virmarie Diaz-Fernandez, Clinical Advisor of Peregrine Health —a TPCA Partner. In most communities, especially rural and underserved ones, primary care providers (PCPs) are the de facto mental health system. Not because they’re trained to be, but because they have to be. With a national shortage of behavioral health (BH) providers, limited referral options, and persistent stigma around mental illness, patients often turn to their PCP for help. The problem? Most PCPs are stretched thin, appointments are short, and they often lack the time and confidence to fully assess mental health concerns. ...

Key Performance Indicators A Guide to Implementing an Effective Benchmarking Plan

By Wes Ernst posted 06-05-2025
This guest post was contributed by Wes Ernst, CPA, of Forvis Mazars —a TPCA Partner. Introduction Key performance indicators, informally referred to as KPIs, are metrics used to track an organization’s health and well-being. KPIs are frequently used to measure data points across financial areas but are also seen in other aspects of a healthcare business such as patient satisfaction, employee engagement, or communication. Viewed as tools for continuous improvement rather than static measures of performance, effective use of KPIs aids in decision-making and leads to better overall performance. Alignment Health ...

Key Performance Indicators: A Guide to Implementing an Effective Benchmarking Plan

By Wes Ernst posted 06-05-2025
This post was contributed by Wes Ernst, CPA, with Forvis Mazars, a TPCA Partner. Introduction Key performance indicators, informally referred to as KPIs, are metrics used to track an organization’s health and well-being. KPIs are frequently used to measure data points across financial areas but are also seen in other aspects of a healthcare business such as patient satisfaction, employee engagement, or communication. Viewed as tools for continuous improvement rather than static measures of performance, effective use of KPIs aids in decision-making and leads to better overall performance. Alignment Health centers have no shortage ...

Medicaid in Tennessee: What's Happening and Why It Matters to You

By Emily Waitt Hise posted 05-21-2025
What is Medica id?   Medicaid is a joint state-federal program to provide health care coverage to low-income folks, primarily children, pregnant women , parents, people with disabilities and some older adults. In Tennessee , Medicaid is called TennCare . It covers about 1.5 million people — that’s more than 1 in 5 Tennesseans .  TennCare has a special setup: if the state spends less than a certain amount, it gets to keep some of the leftover federal money. This is called " shared savings " , and it helps the state improve TennCare coverage and invest in ...

Open Position at Homeless Health Care Center - Hamilton Cty Health Department

By Susan Swartz posted 05-20-2025
County Physician/Medical Director - Homeless Health Under general supervision, provides medical care to patients and clinical and/or administrative oversight of health department programs; serves as medical director of Primary Care and Homeless Health Clinic. Annual Salary: $185,251.00 - $231,564.00 Learn More and Apply: https://jobs.inline.group/hamiltoncountytn/jobs/Family-Medicine-job-in-Chattanooga,-TN-35715 Questions about applying? Applicants should make contact through the third-party link provided above. Homeless Health Care Center Mission Statement: To promote the well-being of the homeless population in our community by ...

Victory for 340B and Tennessee Patients

By Jayda Morse posted 04-25-2025
We’re thrilled to share exciting news from the State Capitol! On April 16 , our 340B protection bill (SB1414/HB1242) passed the Senate (27-5) and Tennessee House (82-4-4) with overwhelming bipartisan support — and is now headed to Governor Lee’s desk! This marks a huge win for community health centers and the patients you serve every day. Your voices, your support, and your dedication made this possible. What the 340B Program Does: The 340B Drug Pricing Program allows health centers to purchase outpatient medications at a discount — helping ...

A Conversation with Bonnie McNabb and Cheri Lewis, Dayspring Health, Inc.

By Jayda Morse posted 03-13-2025
Healthcare organizations nationwide are experiencing workforce shortages which are projected to continue over the coming decade.¹ In the face of this challenge, community health centers are finding creative solutions to continue providing quality healthcare for Tennesseans. Dayspring Health, Inc. first opened in 1952 as a small community clinic in rural Appalachia² and is now a federally-funded health center serving more than 8,000 patients across three counties.³ In 2024, Dayspring received the Charles Darling Organization of Excellence Award from the Tennessee Primary Care Association for a first-of-its-kind initiative to address their nursing shortage, led ...