KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) -- A Knoxville charity and one of the state's largest primary care organizations have teamed up to improve access to health care for people experiencing homelessness.
Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries and Summit Medical Group held a ribbon cutting on Monday to celebrate the opening of a primary care center for at the nonprofit's downtown Knoxville location.
Starting Monday, medical professionals from Summit Medical Group will work at the care center to provide dedicated health care services to the city's unhoused population. The center will provide short and long-term care, create personalized care plans for patients, and connect patients to other local organizations to help treat mental health and substance abuse issues.
The clinic will be open five days a week and Summit Executive Medical Director Dr. Eric Penniman said they anticipate seeing 20-25 patients each day.
Penniman added that KARM's standing in the community and support from local leaders like Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon and Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs was critical for making the vision a reality.
"KARM already has a place in this community of trust, 60 years they've been here so folks who are homeless have heard of KARM. So instantly that gives our clinic credibility because we're here providing care in their facility and so to me that is absolutely critical and I'm not sure that this could be successful without their collaboration," Penniman said.