Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital

08/05/2026

Another Pellissippi State Community College collaboration!

Last week, team members from our nurse residency program visited the Pellissippi State campus for a "simulation day" -- a perfect opportunity for some hands-on learning.

We greatly value this partnership as we continue our joint effort to grow the healthcare workforce in our community!

07/24/2026

It's our 79th birthday!

Blount Memorial Hospital first opened its doors as a 50-bed hospital on July 24, 1947. On the first day, 40 patients were moved to the facility, six new patients were admitted, three operations were completed and staff cared for two emergency patients.

Now, almost 80 years later, our commitment to providing excellent healthcare to our community continues, thanks to the dedication of our team members, both past and present.

Thank you to our community for letting us care for you for 79 years!

07/22/2026

It was a sight to see!

Patients, visitors and staff visiting the hospital’s Outpatient Entrance and the Medical Park in Alcoa this week got the chance to trial the DaVinci 5 Surgical System.

Being hands-on with the robotic technology, individuals got to “operate” the unit themselves, learn how our specially trained surgeons use this tool to assist them in minimally invasive surgical procedures, and understand and visualize how technology is positively impacting patient outcomes through smaller incisions, more-precise and targeted access and visibility through enhanced imaging capabilities.

“That’s incredible,” was shared many times by those who trialed the robotic system, and we couldn’t agree more. We are proud to have two of these cutting edge systems in our hospital to benefit our patients.

While the surgeon remains in full control throughout the surgery, patients needing surgery in the future might just have an additional team member - with the initials DV5 - helping with their care!

07/17/2026

We so enjoy the opportunity to participate in this program and help train the next generation of healthcare leaders and professionals!

Intern Spotlight: Meet Kaylin Huffman, a member of the inaugural NexGen: Tennessee Hospital Executive Internship cohort.

Kaylin is pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University and is spending the summer with Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital as part of her NexGen internship experience.

Learn more about NexGen here: https://tha.com/internship/

07/06/2026

Now open!

With a quick snip of scissors through a bright red ribbon, our all-new Gift Shop officially opened its doors this morning!

The new shop is now open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second floor of the hospital’s Medical Office Building. It features everything from balloons, fresh flowers and greeting cards to personal care items, apparel and gifts for all ages.

07/01/2026

Professionalism and compassion!

Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital registered nurse Emily Sheckles has earned the DAISY Foundation Award for Extraordinary Nurses® for the care she gave to a patient who underwent a surgical procedure last fall.

Sheckles was nominated by the wife of the patient, who praised Sheckles’ gentle care for her spouse in a nomination letter.

“Emily is a professional,” the patient’s wife wrote. “She studied [his] wounds and was very gentle in cleaning…around the surgical site. She was so gentle that my husband fell asleep during the procedure! She takes a little more time but does it right. I nominate her for the award because she exhibits true professionalism and compassion toward her patients and her coworkers despite her busy schedule. She is passionate about her job!”

Congratulations!

06/26/2026

Sending a big congrats to Masalon Sanoe Karnes who not only recently earned her first Clinical Ladder Award, but is also set to graduate from South College this month with her BSN degree...which she earned while simultaneously working full time with us!

Congratulations on all your hard work!

06/25/2026

Check out the fun these kiddos had on a warm summer day!

On Thursday, Prisma Health Wellness Center-Springbrook took part in The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, which takes place all over the globe and is designed to help spread awareness of water safety and the importance of teaching children to swim.

06/18/2026

Our two new surgical robots have made a huge impact in their first two months!

The da Vinci 5 surgical robot is one of the most advanced surgical robots on the market. And on April 20, we received two of them!

Since their arrival, our specially trained surgeons have used the assisted device to provide more than 120 patients with shorter hospital stays and shorter recovery times from surgical procedures.

We’re so excited to begin telling some of these patients’ stories right here in the near future.

06/11/2026

We were so glad to see our visitors from Emerald Youth Foundation yesterday!

Kids from their summer program who are interested in health care got to check out our operating room simulation setup, which is part of our collaboration with surgical tech students and educators from Pellissippi State Community College.