Tennessee is trying to improve oral health. But which comes first: more dentists or more patients with dental coverage? It’s a classic chicken and egg problem. So state leaders are trying to expand both at once.
In Tennessee, don’t expect any more COVID contact tracing calls — for now
The state is winding down its increasingly futile attempts to investigate positive COVID cases and alert those who’ve been exposed, which means Tennesseans are pretty much on their own with contact tracing at this point.
Certification costs stand between some rural students and a career in healthcare. Now there’s a grant for that.
At Jackson State Community College, students are completing the four-month EKG program, but not everyone is taking the certification test. It costs about $100, and financial aid doesn’t cover it.
Mt. Juliet nurse shares difficult homecoming after COVID travel nursing
There came a point for Sara Dean where uprooting or being separated from her 12-year-old daughter to continue travel nursing wasn’t worth the sacrifice.
Nashville’s health care companies were pushed to confront racism. Now they’re investing in Black startups.
Marcus Whitney stands out in Nashville’s huge health care sector as an investor in startups. In addition to his venture capital firm, he’s organized an annual health tech conference and co-founded the city’s pro soccer club.
Tennessee’s medical board sticks with COVID misinformation policy over objection of GOP leaders
Tennessee’s board of medical examiners has decided to keep its policy against doctors spreading misinformation about COVID-19. The unanimous vote on Tuesday was the latest volley of a power struggle with GOP leaders.
Tennessee hospitals join call for crackdown on alleged ‘price gouging’ by staffing agencies
Staffing shortages continue to cripple some Tennessee hospitals dealing high COVID numbers among patients and their own staff. The pinch is being felt by both large medical centers and small rural hospitals.
Dementia caregivers in Tennessee are asking, again, for state funding to give them a brief respite
Tennessee lawmakers are renewing their push to provide dementia caregivers some state help. Tennessee would join at least a dozen states, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, in expanding respite programs to families coping with the disease.
Nashville’s overdose crisis has quickly become a poisoning problem, loved ones say
Nashville set another record in 2021 for overdose deaths. Year-end figures released Thursday show a 15% increase from 2020, which was also a record high.
Tennessee nursing homes are in critical need of staffing help
Since the pandemic began, nursing homes and assisted living facilities have lost more than 400,000 jobs, according to national data. Facilities in Tennessee have lost more than 8,000 workers — a 13% decrease.
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