News

  • Honoring our Healthcare Heroes

    May 11, 2021

    By John McLain, CEO, Starr Regional Medical Center What is a hero? Maya Angelou famously said, “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.” In my role as CEO of Starr Regional Medical Center, I have the privilege of working with an incredible team of healthcare heroes who work tirelessly, each and every day, to…

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  • Starr Regional Medical Center Nationally Recognized with an ‘A’ for the Spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

    April 29, 2021

    Starr Regional Medical Center received an “A” grade in the spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Starr Regional Medical Center’s achievements protecting patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. This is Starr Regional Medical Center’s second consecutive “A” grade in the Leapfrog…

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  • Your Health Means Everything: Taking Care of Yourself in a Post-Pandemic World

    April 16, 2021

    by Ronald Hall, RN, Chief Nursing Officer of Starr Regional Medical Center Life has changed in ways both big and small over the last year. Plans were suspended and priorities shifted as we cautiously made our way through a situation that we had never experienced, much less imagined would happen. As we get closer than ever to putting the COVID-19 pandemic behind us…

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  • When Springtime Allergies Strike: What to Do When You Can’t Stop and Smell the Roses

    April 08, 2021

    by Ronnie Hall, CNO, Starr Regional Medical Center April showers might bring May flowers, but many of us are well aware that they can also bring tree and grass pollen and other allergens that can cause us to wheeze, sneeze and sniffle our way through spring.  At Starr Regional Medical Center, our mission is Making Communities Healthier®, and that includes…

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  • Starr Regional Medical Center Launches Provider Referral Line

    April 06, 2021

    Starr Regional Medical Center announced today the launch of HealthyHub™ Find a Doctor, a new provider referral line (PRL) service. This new tool will make it easier for patients to find the health care services they need within our community. Patients looking for a provider can call (423) 374-6571 to obtain information on our clinical specialists and services.The…

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  • Starr Regional Medical Center’s Senior Care named 2019 Clinical Program of the Year

    March 29, 2021

    Starr Regional Medical Center’s Senior Care, an inpatient geriatric psychiatric program, was recently awarded Horizon Health’s 2019 Clinical Program of the Year, a national distinction recognizing the program for its outstanding contributions to clinical excellence and high-quality patient outcomes. The program is also a leader in innovative clinical practice…

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  • Prevention on the Brain: How to Protect Yourself from Concussions and Other Head Injuries

    March 18, 2021

    By David Linn, MD, Emergency Department physician, Starr Regional Medical Center When you think about your health, some of the first things that probably come to mind are healthy eating, exercise, visits with a provider and other steps to help prevent and manage illness and disease. But there is another important factor to consider when thinking about maintaining good…

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  • Getting to the bottom of Colorectal Cancer

    March 08, 2021

    By David Byrd, MD, family practice physician at Starr Regional Medical Center & Athens Family Practice My name is Dr. David Byrd and I am a board-certified family physician at Starr Regional Medical Center and Athens Family Practice. I, along with several other physicians, perform endoscopic procedures at Starr Regional. In observance of Colorectal Cancer…

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  • Why I Got the COVID-19 Vaccine

    January 25, 2021

    by Rob Clark, RN, Emergency Department Director, Starr Regional Medical Center      Rob Clark, RN, Emergency Department Director For most of us, this past holiday season was unlike any other we have experienced. Instead of the typical hustle and bustle of holiday parties, family gatherings and being surrounded by those we love – this year was…

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  • Starr Regional Medical Center welcomes K. Matthew Gooch, MD

    January 20, 2021

    Starr Regional Medical Center today announced that K. Matthew Gooch, MD, has joined its staff and will offer internal medicine services to patients of the communities in and around McMinn County. Dr. Gooch has more than 20 years of experience in treating patients in traditional practice, inpatient and long-term care settings. He specializes in general medicine, treating…

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  • Starr Regional Medical Center Welcomes First Baby of 2021

    January 02, 2021

    Starr Regional Medical Center is ringing in 2021 with the year’s first bundle of joy. Weighing 9 pounds and 3 ounces and measuring 20 ¼ inches, Rachel Julia was born to Anastasia and Vitaliy Fomin, Friday, Jan. 1, at 3:38 a.m.“We are so excited to meet the newest member of our family!” said Anastasia. “We are so grateful to the physicians,…

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  • Brighter Days Ahead: Celebrate the New Year with a Healthy Start

    December 30, 2020

    By Vickie Turnbough, MD, Internal Medicine Physician, Medical Associates of Athens A new year is always an opportunity for a fresh start. A new beginning. That’s one of the big reasons so many of us set New Year’s resolutions. Turning the page on the calendar gives us a chance to turn the page on unhealthy habits, resolve to be better, healthier versions of…

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  • Starr Regional Medical Center Nationally Recognized with an ‘A’ for the Fall 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

    December 14, 2020

    Athens, Tenn., December 14, 2020 – Starr Regional Medical Center was awarded an ‘A’ in the fall 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Starr Regional Medical Center’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization…

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  • Give Yourself the Gift of Good Health

    December 10, 2020

    by Katherine Hall, MD As we enter the final weeks of what has certainly been an unprecedented year, health and well-being has perhaps never been more at the forefront of our thoughts. The ongoing pandemic has shown us that it continues to be imperative for us to make our physical health a priority. Preventive care is a key factor in maintaining your overall health.…

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  • Derek Slack, DPM, earns certification as Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Medicine

    December 01, 2020

    Starr Regional Medical Center today announced that Derek Slack, DPM, has earned certification as Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM). Dr. Slack specializes in surgical podiatry with a focus on reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. He sees patients at Starr Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. “We are very proud of Dr. Slack’s…

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  • Starr Regional Medical Center to host Christmas Tree Lighting

    November 30, 2020

    Starr Regional Medical Center will host its second annual community Christmas Tree Lighting event Thursday, December 3 from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. The event will take place on the Athens campus, located at 1114 West Madison Avenue. "This year has brought about unprecedented moments and many changes, and while some things will be different, Starr Regional Medical Center…

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  • Celebrating Safely: How to keep you, your family and your community healthy this holiday season

    November 20, 2020

    By Ronald Hall, RN, Starr Regional Medical Center Chief Nursing OfficerThe final two months of the year are traditionally filled with a number of opportunities to celebrate with family, friends and co-workers. Of course, 2020 has been anything but a traditional year, thanks in no small part to the ongoing pandemic. As we continue to fight COVID-19 and work to slow the…

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  • Detecting Lung Cancer Early: Why a Screening Could Save Your Life

    November 06, 2020

    By Stephen Miller, MD, Starr Regional Cancer Center Medical Director Did you know November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month? Today, lung cancer is responsible for 12.7 percent of all diagnosed new cancers each year and 22.4 percent of cancer deaths in the U.S. – the largest percentage of cancer deaths. By the end of 2020, more than 228,000 people will have been…

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  • DIABETES: What You Should Know

    November 06, 2020

    If you aren’t living with diabetes, there’s a good chance that at least one of the friends or loved ones who you’ll see this upcoming holiday season is affected by the disease. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30 million people in the U.S. – or one in 10 – have diabetes. And one in four of…

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  • Starr Regional Medical Center offers Flu Shot Fundraiser

    November 02, 2020

    Starr Regional Medical Center is providing flu shots as a fundraiser for the annual Friendly Fellow Club’s Christmas Basket Program on Friday, October 20 from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m.

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