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Temporarily closed
Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin has suspended operations and has evacuated patients. All patients and team members were successfully rescued from Unicoi County Hospital on Friday, Sept. 27. Affected patients have been transferred to Johnson City Medical Center, and their families have been updated. The hospital remains closed until further notice. Ballad Health will assess the damage once flood water recedes and provide updates on the status of the facility. We will ensure all current and future patients can access care at neighboring facilities.
Medical Response Unit operations continue in Erwin
Located in the auditorium parking lot of Unicoi County High School in Erwin, the site provides 24/7 first aid and triage for minor illnesses and injuries, including:
- Basic treatment of infections
- Stabilization and transfer for trauma and serious conditions
- Respiratory infections
- Skin infections
Located at 700 S. Mohawk Drive in Erwin, TN. Unicoi County Hospital team members will be staffing the unit around the clock until further notice.
View more information, modified hours and closings for our clinic locations on our Inclement Weather page.
About the hospital
Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, TN, is a not-for-profit, 10-bed modern medical facility.
The hospital is located along the banks of the Nolichucky River, nestled against the Unicoi Mountains in the southern Appalachian mountains.
We offer a 24/7 emergency department, the latest diagnostic imaging technology, sleep medicine, and cardiology services. We are proud to be a part of this community, and we’re committed to caring for you, your family and your friends close to home.
Services
Our medical services include:
- 10-bed inpatient unit
- 24/7 emergency department
- Bone density testing
- Cardiology services
- CT and Open MRI scanning
- Echocardiography
- Nuclear medicine services
- Sleep studies
- Ultrasound testing
- Women’s imaging services, including 3D mammography
Amenities
To help make your stay more comfortable, the hospital offers:
- A cafeteria with outdoor seating, featuring views of the Unicoi Mountains
- A gift shop
- A lovely chapel and meditation space designed to help visitors relax and find peace in a quiet and beautiful space
Our Approach
The building was created with a holistic view of healing.
We understand that we must consider the whole person – mind, body and spirit – to help you achieve optimal health and wellness.
We’re here when you need us.
Medical care and community impact reports
Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)
For Ballad Health to best serve the people of the Appalachian Highlands, we survey and conduct focus groups to get a read on overall health in the region. To read about the Unicoi County Hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), visit our CHNA page.
CMS price transparency
Please visit our Price Transparency page for a full listing of standard charges by facility.
You can learn more about pre-visit coordination and registration here and about payment options here.
Metrics by MS-DRG*
Please visit our Ballad Health MS-DRG metrics page for a full listing of MS-DRG metrics by facility.
*MS-DRGs are Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups.
Learn more
Expand a section below to read more about Unicoi County Hospital and our community.
- Joint Commission accreditation
- Unicoi County Hospital Lab certified by The Joint Commission
- Mammography Department Accredited by the American College of Radiology
- CT Accredited by the American College of Radiology
- Jennifer Harrah – Administrator & Chief Nursing Officer
- Dr. Sean Ochsenbein – Chief Medical Officer
- Rhonda Reeves – Market Director, Human Resources, Southern Market
- Emily Murr – Market Director, Marketing and Communications, Southern Market
Unicoi County Memorial Hospital admitted its first patient in Feb. 1953, after years of effort to open a community hospital. The hospital was built with funds from the city, county and federal governments.
Since then, the hospital has seen many additions and renovations, including the addition of the long-term care unit in 1969. Then in 1977, that unit was expanded.
The Pauline A. Vaughn Medical Building was opened in 1978. It is named in honor of one of the hospital’s longtime administrators.
The hospital added an intensive care unit in 1987. And its first CT scanner was installed in 1990.
In November 2013, Unicoi County Memorial joined Mountain States Health Alliance, solidifying what was already a longtime relationship.
Construction of the new Unicoi County Hospital began in 2016. The project was completed in October 2018 as part of Ballad Health.
This new facility was built with locally sourced materials and decorated with works from the local community to honor the region’s rich heritage. We engaged local vendors and artisans to create a beautiful facility where we can provide the very best healthcare.
Unicoi County, named for the Native American word for “smoky” or “foggy” is nestled in northeast Tennessee and surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest. Adventurists and families (and adventurous families!) find the county a wonderland of nature hosting 50 miles of the Appalachian Trail, white water rafting on the Nolichucky River through the deepest gorge in the country, waterfalls, bike trails, trout and bass fishing sweet spots, antique shopping, parks, historical sites and much more. Annual festivals celebrating locally grown apples, strawberries and ramps (a type of wild onion) draw crowds of thousands to the area for the celebrations.
Settled in the mid-1700s, both the county and the town of Erwin were created in 1875 on former Cherokee hunting grounds. Today, the area is home to a population of more than 18,000. A strong spirit of family and local pride abound among Unicoi County residents. Yet, a welcoming spirit invites the outdoor adventurists who come to enjoy the natural beauty and the excitement of events held in the area.
Good schools and outstanding local healthcare facilities make Unicoi County a good place to call home. The area is within minutes of Johnson City, home of Johnson City Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center, and Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Other regional magnets within minutes of Unicoi County include Bristol Motor Speedway, the Blue Ridge Parkway, historic Jonesborough – Tennessee’s oldest town and home to the International Storytelling Center, East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, and many more.
For more information about Unicoi County and the surrounding area visit: www.visitunicoicounty.com/.
