Fentress Honored For Medical Center Success

Fentress County recognized by the Tennessee County Service Association for the success of the new medical center and emergency room established last year.

County Executive Jimmy Johnson said they received the Success Story Award because of the impact the medical facility made in the county. Johnson said their emergency room saw ten thousand patients in the thirteen months following its opening.

“They just asked for stories that have helped your counties and this was a big one and it got turned in and we got chosen,” Johnson said. “And it’s really great. We just really enjoy being able to get picked.”

Johnson said they were one of eight counties that received the award out of the ninety-five in the state. Johnson said he hopes the award will spread awareness to newcomers of the county’s efforts to improve public services.

“A lot of people are coming to Fentress County and it might help them settle in here,” Johnson said. “That’s one of the major things that people look for is medical services and education, and hopefully we can take care of all that (for) people that are interested in coming here.”

Johnson said the addition of the medical center was so important because the nearest emergency room was around forty miles away. Johnson said they were often forced to use their ambulance services as impromptu emergency rooms during that period.

“When you don’t have something and then you have something it makes a big difference,” Johnson said. “We were out of an emergency for almost four years.”

Johnson said they feel honored to have won the award as there are many local officials and groups that go to great lengths for their communities.

“As any mayor or county executive would tell you, when you try to do something to help the citizens of Fentress County, or any county, it’s pleasing to your thought that they show gratitude,” Johnson said.