Stories @ TCAT

Release Date
1/20/26

Contact Information
President Kelli Chaney
kelli.chaney@tcatknoxville.edu

Whitney Turner
whitney.turner@tcatknoxville.edu

CLASSES BEGIN AT KNOX REGIONAL HEALTH SCIENCE EDUCATION CENTER

Knoxville, Tn. (Jan. 20) — Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville
(TCAT), in partnership with Roane State Community College and Covenant Health,
celebrated the start of classes on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the Knox Regional Health
Science Education Center.

The 130,000-square-foot campus, located at 9575 Sherrill Boulevard in Knoxville
directly across from Parkwest Medical Center, was made possible through the
generous donation of land by Covenant Health. The expanded space allows for
both TCAT and Roane State to strengthen their existing health science programs
and develop new course offerings.

“This partnership with Covenant Health and Roane State Community College
creates unique opportunities for TCAT students to further their education,” said
TCAT Knoxville President Kelli Chaney. “From clinical rotation experiences within
Covenant Health facilities to seamless pathways for students who choose to pursue
an associate degree through Roane State, this collaboration strengthens both
education and workforce outcomes for our region.”

The campus features an 11,000-square-foot simulation hospital complete with an
ambulance bay, emergency department, intensive care unit, electronic medical
record workstation and operating, medication and decontamination rooms.
Additional training spaces include exam rooms, surgical suites and a two-story
apartment, allowing students to learn in realistic environments ranging from
emergency response to home health care.

“We have been waiting for this day, and I know our students are equally excited to
see the new campus take shape,” Roane State President Chris Whaley said. “The
integration of technology with experiential learning will change the way our
students build patient-centered knowledge and skills for the real word. This is the
future of health science education.”

The state-of-the-art center is home to TCAT’s Dental Assisting, Surgical Technology,
Practical Nursing and Nursing Aide programs, along with dedicated space for
Phlebotomy, Dental Expanded Functions and Sterile Processing training courses.
TCAT occupies nine dedicated classrooms and nine labs within the Knox Regional
Health Science Education Center, hing hands-on, immersive learning environments
that elevate the quality of TCAT’s health care workforce graduates and help meet
the region’s growing demand for skilled health professionals.

TCAT Knoxville is grateful to its partners, faculty and supporters whose
collaboration and investment made this vision possible. Looking ahead, the center
will serve as a place of opportunity for students to gain in-demand skills, support
critical health care needs in East Tennessee and build meaningful, lasting careers
that positively impact the community for years to come.

For more information on programs offered at TCAT Knoxville leading to jobs in the
health care field, visit the TCAT Knoxville website.

About TCAT Knoxville

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville is at the forefront of
technical education, offering a diverse range of programs that equip students with
the skills needed for today’s workforce. As part of the Tennessee Board of Regents
system and accredited by the COE, TCAT Knoxville ensures a high-quality
educational experience focused on student success and job placement. TCAT
Knoxville is led by President Kelli Chaney.