Tennessee Primary Care Association

08/28/2026

FINAL DAY! 📣 Nominate your colleagues going above and beyond and help us honor the outstanding people and partners who embody the mission of community health.

Nominations close after today. Submit a nomination here 👉 https://www.tnpca.org/membership/awards-of-excellence

🏆 Award recipients will be recognized during the Awards of Excellence Luncheon, sponsored by Upstream USA, at the 2026 TPCA Annual Conference.

08/19/2026

🐦 Register now for TPCA 2026 Annual Conference and get discounted Early Bird rates!

Explore timely topics including artificial intelligence, adaptive leadership, financial sustainability, clinical quality improvement, behavioral health integration, and workforce development. 💭

Don't miss your chance to join your community health center colleagues in Nashville this October! Register here https://www.tnpca.org/news-and-events/2026conference

08/17/2026

🌟 Nominate your colleagues going above and beyond and help us honor the outstanding people and partners who embody the mission of community health.

2026 Awards of Excellence nominations are open until Friday, August 28! Submit a nomination today 👉 https://www.tnpca.org/membership/awards-of-excellence

🏆 Award recipients will be recognized during the Awards of Excellence Luncheon, sponsored by Upstream USA, at the 2026 TPCA Annual Conference.

08/14/2026

TPCA's Alisa LaPolt, Director of Health Policy, had the opportunity to visit Lifespan Health in Savannah, TN, while they hosted State Senator Page Walley.

During their visit, they discussed how Community Health Centers provide high-quality care for patients throughout their region regardless of income or insurance status.

08/13/2026

TPCA's Jackie Bascom and Markita Madden had a wonderful time visiting Cempa Community Care during their trip out to East Tennessee. 🚗🏥

We appreciate your hospitality! ❤️

08/13/2026

TPCA's Jackie Bascom and Markita Madden visited Erlanger Community Health Center's Dodson Ave. Clinic in Chattanooga, TN, last week. 🏥🩺

They are pictured here with Kellie Logan, Administrator. Thank you for having us! ❤️

08/13/2026

TPCA's Jackie Bascom and Markita Madden visited Homeless Health Care Center - Hamilton County Health Department in Chattanooga, TN, last week. 🏥🩺

They had fantastic conversations with Vernisa Thomas, Director, and were joined by Leah Beavers from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Thank you for the warm welcome! ❤️

08/12/2026

During National Health Center Week, TPCA's Alisa LaPolt, Director of Health Policy, visited Lifespan Health while they hosted State Representative Kirk Haston.

💭 Lifespan Health is the only health center in their region (Hardin, McNairy, and Wayne counties) that offers obstetrical (OB) services, and they also serve TennCare patients in four other counties along Tennessee’s border with Alabama and Mississippi.

08/08/2026

🏆 Dr. Judith Tessema, Chief Medical Officer of Hardeman County Community Health Center, is the recipient of TPCA's 2025 Outstanding Practitioner of the Year Award.

Throughout her career, Dr. Tessema has demonstrated a commitment to compassionate care, innovative thinking, and servant leadership. She has helped expand access to care, strengthen preventive health programs, support healthcare teams, and introduce innovative solutions that improve patient outcomes across West Tennessee.

Read how Dr. Tessema is helping build better systems, support care teams, and improve lives across rural Tennessee https://www.tnpca.org/blogs/jayda-morse/2026/08/07/honoring-dr-judith-tessema-cmo-of-hardeman-county

For Dr. Judith Tessema, Chief Medical Officer of Hardeman County Community Health Center (HCCHC), outstanding care begins with authenticity, collaboration, and a willingness to solve problems—whether for patients, staff, or the larger community.

08/08/2026

Innovation is helping Community Health Centers reach more patients, improve care coordination, and strengthen the patient experience.

Across Tennessee, CHCs are embracing technology to make healthcare more accessible and effective:

📱 100% provide telehealth services, helping patients connect with care no matter where they live.
📋 100% use electronic health records, allowing providers to coordinate care and access important health information when patients need it most.
💬 Patient engagement tools help patients stay connected to appointments, test results, and their care teams.