Department of Finance & Administration
Mark Emkes, Commissioner

The Division of Health Planning understands that expert input in the development of revised standards and criteria for the Certificate of Need program is vital. Recently Eric Harkness, planning and research coordinator for the Division, traveled the state to meet with providers of cardiac catheterization and open heart surgery services. This trip enabled him to discuss technical questions with hospital staff, including surgeons, nurses, and technicians. Mr. Harkness toured the labs and surgery suites where these procedures are performed.

The Division sought to meet with a set of hospitals representing the geographic and organizational diversity of providers in Tennessee. Hospitals and hospital systems Mr. Harkness visited included Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation (Memphis), Henry County Medical Center, TriStar Division of HCA, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, St. Thomas Health Services, Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Mountain States Health Alliance, and Wellmont Health System.