Hospital adds trauma treatment rooms and increases emergency capacity to meet growing demand.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (SMOKIES.LIVE) — Tennova Turkey Creek Medical Center has completed a $3 million expansion of its emergency department, increasing capacity and enhancing trauma care for patients across the greater Knoxville area.
The project adds eight treatment rooms with full trauma care capabilities and more than 3,000 square feet of emergency care space, bringing the hospital’s emergency department to a total of 20 patient rooms.
The expanded department is expected to become fully operational in mid-July following several months of construction that began in February.
Hospital officials said the expansion was driven by increased demand for emergency services. Tennova Turkey Creek treated more than 22,000 emergency department patients in 2025, including more than 1,500 who required specialized trauma care.
“Expanding our emergency department is an important step so we can continue meeting the needs of our growing community,” Chief Executive Officer Tony Benton said. “Our focus is on providing timely access to care, enhancing the patient experience and supporting our physicians and clinical teams with the resources needed to deliver high-quality emergency services.”
The renovation also includes a simplified patient registration process, an expanded waiting area and improvements designed to reduce wait times and improve patient flow.
Dr. John Pope, the hospital’s emergency department medical director, said the project strengthens the hospital’s ability to provide critical care when patients need it most.
“Our emergency department serves as a critical access point for patients experiencing serious illness and injury,” Pope said. “This expansion allows us to care for more patients efficiently without compromising quality while enhancing our growing trauma capabilities.”
In preparation for the expanded emergency department, the hospital hired 15 additional employees and strengthened partnerships with local emergency medical services agencies to improve coordination between first responders and hospital staff.
The expansion also supports the medical center’s Level III trauma designation and reinforces its commitment to providing emergency care for patients throughout East Tennessee.
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