When UTC students return to campus this fall, they will have access to an expanded array of healthcare services, thanks to a partnership between The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Erlanger Health System, and the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga.
The new healthcare services program, announced on Wednesday during a press conference at Erlanger, will be called University Health Services.
Implementation of University Health Services will come in phases, with the first phase beginning Aug. 1 at the current site of student health on the UTC campus. Plans call for the service to relocate to the UT Family Practice building across from the Baroness Erlanger Campus.
University Health Services will provide a variety of healthcare services to UTC students, faculty and staff, and student-athletes, along with the community. Through the relationship with the UT College of Medicine, services will include orthopedic and sports medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB-GYN, and subspecialty medical care, such as cardiology, pulmonology, geriatrics, and general surgery.
"I could not be more pleased for the opportunities this partnership brings to our students and our campus," said UTC Chancellor Roger Brown. "When you combine the resources of one of this region's top healthcare providers with those of the health education providers, the services available to students, faculty and staff will be far beyond anything we've ever had here at UTC. We are fortunate that such top quality providers are willing to work with the campus to bring top quality healthcare to our entire campus population, including students, faculty, staff and student-athletes."
Jim Brexler, president and CEO of Erlanger, said, "As a teaching hospital, this alliance could not be a better fit for us. The University and Erlanger were both founded in the late 1800's, so we have literally been next door neighbors for well over a century. Our affiliations have always included partnerships in education, nursing, and other allied medical areas. This latest partnership strengthens our longstanding relationship and allows us to offer services to the broader university community in a much more comprehensive way. In collaboration with UTCOMC, our medical staff and all of the Erlanger team, we are proud and eager to embark on this newest alliance."
Dr. David Seaberg, dean of UTCOMC, said, "We are extremely excited about our new healthcare partnership with UTC. This will allow us to continue to expand our educational and research collaboration for the betterment of the University and the entire Chattanooga region."
The partnership will also provide opportunities for clinical experience for UTC and UT College of Medicine students, including those in nursing, physical therapy, and athletic training.
New services available to UTC students will include the ability to bill services to insurance, extended evening and weekend hours, and on-site diagnostic and lab services. University Health Services will also provide physicals and immunizations necessary to enroll in classes and participate in extracurricular activities.