Parkridge Medical Center plans freestanding emergency room in Cleveland
Chattanooga, Tenn. — Parkridge Medical Center, part of HCA Healthcare, announced plans to apply for a Certificate of Need with the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission to establish a new $17.4 million freestanding emergency department in Cleveland.
If approved, the Parkridge Cleveland ER will serve Bradley and Polk counties, giving residents a new option for emergency care.
“For families in Bradley and Polk counties, timely access to emergency care can make all the difference,” said Chris Cosby, chief executive officer of Parkridge Medical Center. “As both communities grow, Parkridge Medical Center is stepping in to meet that need by expanding access, reducing wait times and giving residents more choice in where they seek care.”
Strengthened by one of the state’s largest industrial and manufacturing sectors, Bradley County has emerged as one of Southeast Tennessee’s fastest-growing areas. More than 112,000 residents call the county home, and the University of Tennessee’s Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research projects that number will increase by nearly 1,000 residents annually. With new families and businesses arriving, demand for reliable healthcare is growing alongside the economy.
Despite this growth, large portions of Bradley and neighboring Polk County remain underserved for 24/7 emergency care. In critical moments, residents often face lengthy commutes to the nearest emergency room.
The proposed freestanding emergency department will help close that gap by bringing Parkridge Health System’s network of expert physicians, nurses and emergency specialists closer to home for families in both counties.
“By extending services into those areas, we’re creating sustainable options that allow families to choose high-quality care close to where they live and work,” Cosby said.
The proposed Parkridge Cleveland ER will be located at the intersection of Blackburn Road and APD-40 (US 64 & SR 60) in Bradley County. It will operate as a satellite location of Parkridge Medical Center’s main emergency department in Chattanooga. The facility will be open 24/7 and will accept all major insurance providers, including TennCare and will include:
- 11 treatment rooms, including one trauma room
- Laboratory
- Imaging services
- Nurses station
- Support spaces
“Our mission has always been rooted in the belief that every person deserves timely, expert care in their own community,” Cosby said. “Whether you live in the Cleveland city limits or a rural corner of Bradley or Polk County, you should always have access to the same high standard of care.”
With this proposed emergency department, Parkridge Medical Center underscores its commitment to improving access to high-quality emergency care across Southeast Tennessee.