Quality optimization was a primary driver of the merger
Cookeville – Cookeville Regional Primary Care (CRPC) has joined Knoxville based Summitt Medical Group (SMG), East Tennessee’s largest physician-led primary care organization with more than 400 providers at more than 80 practice locations in 18 counties.
“Formerly affiliated with Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Summit Medical Group of Cookeville has been practicing primary care in middle Tennessee for over 20 years, growing from a small facility just a few blocks away from Cookeville Regional Medical Center into the well-known premier healthcare institution in the region,” according to a release to the Upper Cumberland Business Journal.
The physicians at SMG of Cookeville include Lori Austin, MD; Carol Berg, MD; Eric Lisic, DO; Beverly Thomas, MD; Sarah Worley, MD; and Lora Worsham, MD. The team also includes nurse practitioner Sandra Bailiff and nurse practitioner Jessica Randolph.
“We welcome the seven members of the Cookeville team to Summit Medical Group,” Summit Medical Group CEO Ed Curtis said. “As a Tennessee-based, physician-led network, we will support Summit Medical Group of Cookeville providers in delivering the highest-quality care with the value, consistency and efficiency that their patients have come to expect and will continue to receive. The providers are a well-known, highly respected physician group that aligns well with Summit’s mission and values. We are proud to have their team join Summit.”
SMG said quality optimization was a primary driver of the merger.
“The shift to become part of Summit’s provider network was driven in large part by the desire to optimize the level of high-quality, affordable care to our patients,” said Lori Austin, MD, Managing Physician Partner, and member of Summit Medical Group of Cookeville. “Joining Summit provides us with direct access to a wealth of shared resources and creative innovation – benefits often provided to practices that are acquired by larger health care organizations. We chose to partner specifically with Summit Medical Group because it is physician-owned and operated, allowing us to retain independence and autonomy in the way we operate. We feel this partnership provides a strong and secure future as an independent practice with the strength of a larger group.”
Summit Medical Group of Cookeville is located at 128 N. Whitney Avenue Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 931-783-4600 or check out the Summit Medical Group of Cookeville Facebook Page HERE.
For more information visit summitmedical.com.
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