A New Dawn for Clay County: Cumberland River Medical Clinic Set to Reopen

Healthcare returns closer to home for rural residents.

Cumberland River Medical Clinic

Access to healthcare is a vital part of any community's well-being — and for the residents of Clay County, Tennessee, that access has been a challenge since the closure of Cumberland River Hospital in August 2020. Now, new hope is on the horizon: Cumberland River Medical Clinic is preparing to reopen, bringing essential services back to this rural community.

The Vision Behind the Comeback

When Johnny Presley, Owner and CEO of Presley Healthcare, acquired the hospital in June of 2019, he recognized the critical role healthcare services played for Clay County residents. Unfortunately, due to staffing and funding challenges, the hospital's doors closed August of 2020.

However, Presley and his dedicated team never gave up on their mission. "We knew we needed to take this in steps," said Kelly Judd, Business Development & Operations Manager at Presley Healthcare. After countless walkthroughs and strategic planning sessions, they identified a clear path forward: reopen the medical clinic first.

What’s Coming First?

The reopening will happen in phases, starting with:

• Primary Care Services

• Consultations

• Laboratory Services

• Specialty Care Services

  
  

In addition to these offerings, Presley Healthcare plans to lease out additional office space within the facility to other medical providers, further enriching healthcare options for the community.

"We have a great physical therapy facility in the hospital itself that can utilized and reopened or even converted to be utilized as a chiropractic facility," shared Katie Conaster, Regional Manager for Presley Healthcare. Discussions with therapists are underway to reactivate these services, ensuring residents won’t have to travel far for rehabilitation needs.

Expanding Services Over Time

Once the clinic is operational, there are even bigger plans in store:

• Utilizing onsite imaging equipment including X-ray, CT machines, and ultrasounds

• Introducing a local pharmacy to serve both clinic patients and the broader community

• Eventually reopening the Emergency Department as an urgent care facility

  
  

While the full reopening of the hospital remains uncertain, the commitment to restoring healthcare access in stages is a promising sign.

Looking Ahead

An official reopening date for the Cumberland River Medical Clinic has not yet been announced, but Presley Healthcare is aiming to have the clinic ready by Fall 2025 — if not sooner.

In the meantime, residents can stay informed by visiting www.presleyhealthcare.org. For media inquiries, reach out to Kelly Judd at kelly@presleyhealthcare.org.

Clay County's future looks brighter with healthcare coming home once again.

Stay tuned for more updates as Presley Healthcare brings this vision to life!