Health Matters Blog
About Us
In the 1970’s, the future of healthcare in the Appalachian region faced many challenges. A majority of the medical staff in the area was preparing to retire — but few were stepping in to fill the gaps. As the number of unhealthy people in the region continued to grow, how would an already underserved community be able to get affordable, high-quality care?
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Dr. Jerry Miller, president of the hospital’s medical staff, envisioned a new way to serve the community with compassion, integrity and respect. Determined to solve the challenge, he and a small group of colleagues believed an independent, physician-owned family practice would have the power to build lasting relationships, deliver quality medical care and engage patients in better health.
Their vision became a reality in January 1977, when a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation enabled Holston Medical Group (HMG) to open the doors to our first patients.
“We felt a family practice that was doctor-owned, doctor-driven and doctor-led – and that would nurture compassionate relationships – would be extremely successful.”
Dr. Jerry Miller, Founder of HMG
HMG Today
Today, HMG is among the most progressive independent physician groups in the nation. For over 40 years, our “Family of Care” has grown from a handful of family practitioners into a comprehensive, diversified group of nearly 230 primary care physicians, specialists and mid-level providers who offer 24-hour medical/surgical service. With well-coordinated preventive care, our goal is to keep you healthy and out of the hospital.
We want to be your health partner for life. Although healthcare has changed throughout the years, our top priority has always been to serve our patients and the community through high-quality, cost-effective care. This commitment aligns with all of us at HMG – from our board of directors and executive leadership to the front line care team.
45
Locations in TN & VA
165+
Providers
1,000+
Total Employees
50,000+
Patient Visits a month
In fact, we’re recognized nationally and regionally for our patient-focused innovation. Our fully transparent “diagnostic cost comparison” tool, for example, can help you make better-informed healthcare decisions. We offer resources to the community that keep you out of the costly hospital setting – including a secure community health information exchange, convenient urgent care locations, outpatient surgery centers and more.
Over the years, we’ve continually embraced change, innovation and growth. Yet our core values have never wavered. From the very beginning, we set out to be your health partner for life. Let us show you how a strong doctor-patient relationship can pave the way for you to achieve your best health.
1985 – First to offer after-hours care
Today, HMG operates two dedicated HMG Urgent Care locations, one in Bristol (pictured) and Kingsport.
1989 – First multi-specialty group
With the addition of orthopedic surgeon Steven Krein, MD, HMG became the region’s first multi-specialty physician group. Today, HMG has many specialties, including gastroenterology, OB/GYN & more.
1995 – First fully integrated electronic medical record (EMR)
Holston Medical Group invested $2.5 million, becoming the largest “beta site”. Today, HMG is known throughout the nation as a pioneer in EMR utilization.
1999 – First free-standing outpatient diagnostic center
With diagnostic capabilities that rival the nation’s leading research medical centers, each of our state-licensed, ACR-accredited facilities provides fully-digital diagnostic imaging.
2001 – First physician-owned outpatient surgery center
The Sapling Grove Surgery Center gives patients the convenience of outpatient surgery in a setting that features state-of-the-art technology.
2012 – OnePartner HIE (Health Information Exchange)
Designed to support better population health, OnePartner HIE accommodates the data needs of HMG’s patients & other organizations.