ETSU Health Expands Services with New Infectious Diseases Clinic in Kingsport

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KINGSPORT, Tenn. — ETSU Health has expanded its reach in Northeast Tennessee by opening a new Infectious Diseases clinic in Kingsport. The clinic, which officially opened following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, is set to provide critical healthcare services in the region, including HIV care, wound care, and traveler’s medicine. This marks the second ETSU Health Infectious Diseases clinic in the Tri-Cities area, with the first in Johnson City.

“This is a great opportunity for us to expand our services in Kingsport,” said Bill Block, Vice President for Clinical Affairs and Dean of the Quillen College of Medicine. “We have been here in this area with family medicine and internal medicine for quite a while, but this expansion allows us to bring more horsepower to our infectious disease services up here.”

Addressing Regional Healthcare Needs

The clinic’s opening addresses a significant need for specialized healthcare services in Kingsport and surrounding areas. Previously, residents of Sullivan County, Kingsport, and rural communities in Northeast Tennessee had to travel to Johnson City for infectious disease care. The new facility allows these patients to access state-of-the-art services closer to home.

Jonathan Moorman, Vice Chair of Research and Scholarship for the Quillen College of Medicine, emphasized the clinic’s importance in offering continuous care. “Our division is going to be here,” Moorman said. “We’re going to provide superb infectious disease services, HIV care services, wound care services, traveler’s medicine services, and education of future clinicians who will be here in Sullivan County, here in Kingsport, for many years to come.”

A Regional Impact

Local leaders hailed the clinic as a critical asset for Kingsport and the entire region, including Southwest Virginia and Hawkins County. “As we continue to expand our footprint here, it’s just so important regionally,” said Kingsport Alderman Darrell Duncan. “This will provide healthcare for people in Southwest Virginia, down in Hawkins County, and multiple places across Northeast Tennessee.”

Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull highlighted ETSU’s longstanding partnership with the city in providing high-quality medical care. “It’s just been a great partnership with Kingsport; we appreciate what you do,” said Shull. “The expansion here and the dental clinic is coming along, and ETSU is a great partner in that.”

Broader Context: Global Health Challenges

The expansion of ETSU Health’s services comes at a critical time, as infectious diseases remain a global concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been actively monitoring and responding to outbreaks, including a recent Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreak in Uganda. The spread of infectious diseases in various parts of the world highlights the importance of accessible healthcare facilities like ETSU’s new clinic, which can play a crucial role in managing and preventing the spread of such diseases locally.

In addition to providing direct care, the clinic will also contribute to the education of future healthcare professionals, ensuring that the region is better prepared for future public health challenges.

Clinic Details

The new Infectious Diseases clinic is at 105 West Park Drive, Suite 2A, Kingsport. For more information on the services provided, visit the ETSU Health website.

This new clinic underscores ETSU Health’s commitment to expanding its services and meeting the healthcare needs of the communities it serves. As infectious diseases continue to pose challenges globally, facilities like this one are vital in ensuring that comprehensive, high-quality care is available to those who need it most.