Covenant Health’s Fort Sanders Regional Named a Best Regional Hospital for Community Access by U.S. News & World Report
- 3 minute read.
- Last Updated: 8/11/2026
Covenant Health’s Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a 2026-27 Best Regional Hospital for Community Access. Fort Sanders Regional was the only Knoxville-area hospital and one of only two hospitals in Tennessee recognized.
What This Recognition Means
U.S. News & World Report introduced the Best Regional Hospitals for Community Access designation to recognize hospitals that provide vulnerable populations with meaningful access to high-quality healthcare. Hospitals must first qualify as a U.S. News Best Regional Hospital and then meet additional community access criteria. This criterion is focused on serving historically underserved populations.
“Being recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Regional Hospital for Community Access is a tremendous honor,” said Tab Culbertson, president and chief administrative officer of Fort Sanders Regional. “Our community deserves timely access to exceptional care, and we count it as a privilege to serve our community in this way.”
How Community Access was Evaluated
Hospitals are evaluated using measures related to access, outcomes and community benefit. These measures include:
- Representation of patients from socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods
- Demographic representation
- Care provided to Medicaid patients
- Outcomes that support recovery at home
- Charity care provided to uninsured patients
More than 4,000 hospitals were evaluated, and only 73 hospitals nationwide received the recognition.
Strengthening Access Through Community Partnerships
As a not-for-profit, community-owned hospital with Covenant Health, Fort Sanders Regional works alongside local organizations to address healthcare needs across East Tennessee.
As part of this commitment, Covenant Health developed a Community Health Needs Assessment to identify priority health concerns in our region. The assessment is used by public health departments, hospitals and community organizations to understand the health status, needs and concerns of our community.
The results inform decisions about health programs, policies and resource allocation. They guide investments that improve access to care.
Current initiatives include:
- Supporting emergency department behavioral health with psychiatric consultations through Peninsula Behavioral Health
- Education for uninsured and underserved residents
- Expanding access to preventive screenings through low-dose CT lung cancer screening and the Lung Nodule Program.
These efforts support our mission of improving the quality of life in the communities it serves through better health.
Learn more about Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, the Community Health Needs Assessment and the U.S. News Best Regional Hospitals for Community Access recognition.
