Hospital

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Erlanger help me find a primary care physician for my family?

With campuses, facilities and affiliated physician offices conveniently located throughout the region, Erlanger offers primary care right in your neighborhood. Whether you are new to the area or looking for a primary care physician, Erlanger has a wide range of physicians who can care for your whole family. For a physician referral, call (423) 778-LINK or visit www.erlanger.org under “Find a Physician.”

What are the benefits of a Teaching Hospital?

As a leading Teaching Hospital, Erlanger is part of an elite group of only 6 percent of all hospitals in the nation – each with a well-deserved reputation for excellence and innovation in medicine. At Erlanger, the region’s only Teaching Hospital, we provide physicians from every medical specialty on duty, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More importantly, studies show that a teaching hospital is where patients can actually expect better results. Hospitals like Erlanger have access to the latest treatments, therapies, clinical trials and technology. Most importantly, a teaching hospital allows the leading doctors, surgeons, and residents from every specialty and subspecialty an opportunity to collaborate. With more eyes, more hands and more minds working together, it’s the patients who benefits. To learn more, visit www.erlanger.org.

Does Erlanger offer a weight management program?

For best results in any weight management program, people need to actively participate in a multi-disciplinary program which includes nutritional, emotional, and exercise counseling. Erlanger’s surgical weight loss program, as with its medical weight loss program, involves a team approach to help with psychological, nutritional and medical issues before and after surgery. Team members lead ongoing support group meetings, exercise programs, counseling and nutritional guidance at the Chattanooga Lifestyle Center. In addition, the Chattanooga Lifestyle Center offers a wellness gym and pool which is available at scheduled times throughout the week for those participating in either the medical or surgical weight loss program. Exercise options available include aquatic classes, low-intensity exercise classes, as well as an exercise combo class. To learn more about Erlanger’s Weight Loss Program, visit www.erlanger.org/weightloss. To enroll or learn more about Erlanger’s medical weight management programs at the Chattanooga Lifestyle Center, including exercise, nutrition and support group programs, call 778-9400.

What makes Erlanger a Top 100 Heart Hospital?

Erlanger is responsible for more innovations in heart care than any other hospital in the region, including the area’s first open-heart surgery program, cardiac catheterization lab, coronary bypass surgery and accredited Chest Pain Center. This leadership continues with a breakthrough protocol developed at Erlanger which evaluates heart attack patients and gets them to treatment an average of 28 minutes faster than the national standard. Our services address the needs of adults, as well as children, working with the pediatric cardiologists at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital, the region’s only hospital dedicated to the care of children. To learn more about Erlanger’s Heart & Vascular Services, visit www.erlanger.org/heart.

What does it mean that Erlanger is the first and only accredited primary stroke center?

The Erlanger Southeast Regional Stroke Center is Southeast Tennessee's first and only accredited Primary Stroke Center. Erlanger earned the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers, recognizing that the Erlanger stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients. As a patient, you benefit from:

• 24/7 rapid-response stroke team
• 24/7 neuro imaging services
• Region's ONLY Neuro Intensive Care Unit
• Neuro-interventional radiologists
• Dedicated Stroke Center Medical Director & Coordinator
• Latest clinical research stroke trials

For more information about The Erlanger Southeast Regional Stroke Center, visit www.erlanger.org/stroke.

I am interested in volunteering. How can I become more involved?

One of the most valuable ways you can give to our institution is through your time and talent. Each year, approximately 600 volunteers spend more than 45,000 hours assisting patients and their loved ones at Erlanger. Whether you have a passion for working on special events, telling your story or helping patients, we’d like to work with you to discover your area of interest. Volunteer opportunities are available through the Erlanger Baroness Auxiliary, The American Red Cross, and Junior Volunteers to name a few. For more information regarding volunteer opportunities, visit www.erlanger.org/giving.