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Morristown Magazine 55 which provided emergency care, breast imaging, diagnostic imaging, primary care and physician offices. “The opening of Morristown-Hamblen West reflects Covenant Health’s focus on providing the right care, at the right time, at the right place,” Jim VanderSteeg, president and chief executive officer of Covenant Health, said at the ribbon cut- ting ceremony celebrating the facility. “The new facility brings much needed services and resour- ces to the community of Morristown, furthering the high-quality care that Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System can provide.” Covenant Health officials repeatedly expressed their commitment to serve Morristown and the surrounding area. “I want you all to know that Covenant Health has a plan for Morristown,” Gordon Lintz, chief administrative officer of Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System, said. “I often get asked, ‘Is Morristown on the Covenant Health radar?’ Yes. ‘Does Covenant Health know what’s going on in Morristown?’ Absolutely.” The need is there. For decades, Morristown had a pair of hos- pitals. The not-for-profit Morristown Hamblen Healthcare System and the for-profit Lakeway Regional. When Lakeway Regional closed, it left a healthcare gap for the Covenant facility to fill. The demand remains high. As a metropolitan statistical area, Morristown serves as a hub for education, business and healthcare for much of the Lakeway Area. In fact, Census data shows the Hamblen County has grown from 58,000 residents to over 65,000 in the first two decades of this century. In ad- dition, thousands of commuters come into the county every day to work. While many others look to MHHS for emergency care. Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney noted the growth and the way the new facility will help the region ad- dress related challen- ges. “As Morristown continues to grow, so grows the need for expanding quality healthcare services, and Morristown-Hamblen West is step- ping up to meet that need,” Chesney said. “Now having a second emergency room that includes a The new facility brings much nee- ded services and resources to the community of Morristown, furthering the high-quality care that Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System can provide Covenant President Jim VanderSteeg