Ballad Health Opens 24/7 Advanced Urgent Care in Unicoi County Amid Hospital Closure

Health Commissioner -Dr. Alvarado- meets with Ballad Health staff at mobile hospital established by Jackson-Madison County Health in Erwin.Photo bycourtesy of Jackson-Madison county regional health dept/Facebook

ERWIN, Tenn. – In response to the closure of Unicoi County Hospital due to extensive flood damage, Ballad Health Medical Associates launched a 24/7 advanced urgent care clinic on Tuesday to provide critical healthcare services to the county's residents. Located at 800 S. Mohawk Drive, Suite C, across from Unicoi County High School, the clinic fills a vital gap in local healthcare.

The new Advanced Urgent Care—Erwin facility will offer a wide spectrum of services, from treatment for animal bites to upper respiratory infections. Uninsured and commercially insured patients alike are welcome, and walk-ins are encouraged. Conditions such as sprains, minor fractures, colds, flu, and COVID-19 symptoms will be treated, as will infections like urinary tract and ear infections.

Photo bycourtesy of Ballad Health

The urgent care clinic replaces Ballad Health’s Medical Response Unit, which was established in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The unit played a pivotal role in the community’s healthcare needs during the floods that devastated the region, including Unicoi County Hospital, which remains closed for the foreseeable future.

“We're committed to ensuring Unicoi County residents still have access to high-quality, immediate healthcare,” said a Ballad Health spokesperson. “This 24/7 clinic represents a long-term investment in the health of this community, despite the challenges posed by recent natural disasters.”

Unicoi County’s hospital closure has left many residents without easy access to emergency services. Rural areas like this are often vulnerable when local hospitals are forced to shut down. Healthcare experts have noted that these closures, particularly in rural communities, significantly impact health outcomes, with longer wait times and travel distances for care contributing to worsened conditions for patients with chronic or urgent needs.

Ballad Health has been actively assessing long-term solutions for Unicoi County and plans to continue offering advanced urgent care services while seeking to reopen or replace the hospital facility. For more information, the fully operational clinic can be reached at (423) 735-4750.

Rural hospital closures have been exacerbated nationwide, particularly in states like Tennessee, where the number of closures ranks among the highest in the U.S. According to the American Hospital Association, more than 180 rural hospitals have shut their doors since 2005. The ongoing challenges for hospitals in regions like Unicoi County reflect more significant systemic issues in healthcare funding and rural access.

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