Health Commissioner Visits Hometown Health Clinic, Presents $1.5 Million Grant

McKENZIE (December 10) — Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. John Dunn and members of his leadership team visited Hometown Health Clinic in McKenzie Wednesday alongside Senator John Stevens. The clinic hosted these state leaders for a special presentation recognizing Hometown Health Clinic’s selection as a Healthcare Resiliency Program (HRP) grant recipient.

During the visit, Commissioner Dunn formally awarded the clinic a $1.5 million HRP grant, presented to Dr. Bryan Merrick, Dr. Terry Colotta and Tammy Etheridge, chief operating officer. Hometown Health Clinic is one of two Rural Health Clinics in the state of Tennessee chosen to receive this significant and highly competitive funding.

The HRP grant will support Hometown Health Clinic’s mission to enhance the quality, efficiency and accessibility of integrated primary care services across rural west Tennessee.

Grant initiatives include improving access to comprehensive, team-based primary care; redesigning care delivery processes to improve patient outcomes; expanding the use of technology and data; and strengthening community outreach services to empower patients to take an active role in their health.

These efforts aim to produce long-term improvements in health outcomes.

To fulfill the goals of the HRP grant, Hometown Health Clinic is collaborating with key partners including the Tennessee Rural Health Association under the leadership of CEO Jacy Warrell and her team, and Forever Communications, represented by Executive Vice President Jared Mims.

“We are honored to receive this grant and grateful for the confidence the Tennessee Department of Health has placed in Hometown and our mission,” said Etheridge. “This investment allows us to further strengthen the care we provide to families in rural Tennessee and ensures our community has access to high-quality, patient-centered healthcare.”

Hometown Health Clinic operates nine Rural Health Clinics across Carroll, Benton and Weakley counties, continuing its commitment to expanding access to high-quality rural healthcare throughout the region.