32 Years of Care: How Kim Health Center Builds Health and Smiles in East Tennessee

For more than three decades, Kim Health Center has been a steady source of care for individuals and families in East Tennessee who might otherwise go without. since its begining, the clinic has remained committed to a simple but powerful mission: providing accessible, compassionate, patient‑centered healthcare to those who need it most.

Today, Kim Health Center stands as an integrated health home, offering dental care alongside primary care, women’s health, and behavioral health services. This whole‑person approach allows the clinic to meet patients where they are, addressing immediate health concerns while supporting long‑term stability and wellness.

A clinic built on access and trust

What sets Kim Health Center apart is not just the range of services it provides, but the way those services are delivered. The clinic prioritizes affordability, accessibility, and transparency, ensuring patients understand both their care and its cost. For many patients, particularly those who are uninsured, this clarity is essential to building trust and encouraging ongoing engagement with healthcare.

The clinic’s staff is deeply mission‑driven, united by a shared commitment to patient‑centered care. That dedication is especially important for patients who may have delayed care for years due to financial barriers, fear, or negative prior experiences.

Integrated care for the whole person

Kim Health Center plays a vital role in addressing community health needs by serving as an integrative care home for uninsured and underserved populations. Rather than treating isolated conditions, the clinic focuses on the full health journey of each patient.

Staff members often describe their work as helping patients move from crisis (frequently the result of delayed care, to chronic disease management) and ultimately to stability. By improving health outcomes, the clinic also helps patients remain employed, return to work, or continue their education, strengthening the broader community along the way.

The clinic also maintains strong relationships with local community organizations, working collaboratively to ensure patients can access the resources they need beyond the exam room.

A team with deep experience

Kim Health Center’s impact is driven by a highly experienced and dedicated medical and dental team. Clinical leadership brings decades of expertise across family medicine, dentistry, women’s health, and behavioral health, creating a collaborative, team‑based care environment.

From seasoned dental directors and physicians to nurse practitioners and physician assistants with extensive primary care backgrounds, the clinic’s providers bring both clinical excellence and a deep understanding of the populations they serve.

Meeting the growing demand for dental care

Dental care is one of Kim Health Center’s most in‑demand services. With three dentists currently on staff, the clinic’s dental schedule is booked through the end of the year, a clear indicator of unmet need in the community.

To respond to this demand, Kim Health Center has set clear goals for growth. In the short term, the clinic aims to add two additional days of dental services. Long‑term plans include expanding the clinic’s footprint and adding another dental chair, increasing capacity so more patients can receive timely care.

These expansion goals reflect the clinic’s commitment to ensuring that oral health, an essential component of overall health, is accessible to everyone, regardless of insurance status.

Prioritizing safety, comfort, and education

For many patients, especially those seeking dental care, fear and anxiety can be significant barriers. Kim Health Center addresses this by placing a strong emphasis on patient education and comfort.

Providers at the Knoxville-based clinic, take time to explain procedures, answer questions, and ensure patients understand their treatment plans. This approach is particularly important for individuals who have had poor prior experiences or limited access to dental care. By slowing down and focusing on education, the clinic helps patients feel more at ease and empowered in their healthcare decisions.

Growth, milestones, and momentum

Kim Health Center continues to grow alongside the community it serves. The clinic now sees more than 7,000 patient visits each year and has experienced steady growth across all areas of service. Recent additions include a new diabetes clinic, further expanding the scope of care available to patients.

These milestones reflect not only increased demand, but also the trust patients place in the clinic and its team.

Honoring a lasting legacy

Earlier this year, Kim Health Center lost its original founder, Dr. Tom Kim. Over the course of his career, Dr. Kim had a profound impact on healthcare access in East Tennessee. His vision and dedication laid the foundation for the clinic’s mission, which continues to guide its work today.

As the clinic looks to the future, it does so with deep respect for Dr. Kim’s legacy and a continued commitment to the values he championed.

Powered by partnership: Smile180 and Kim Health Center

Delta Dental of Tennessee's foundation, Smile180, is proud to support Kim Health Center’s dental program.

"Our dental program is indebted to Smile180," says Erica Lyon, MPH, Executive Director of Kim Health Center, "First we added dental services with an initial grant from Smile180. Our connection and support with Smile180 helps guide our program in terms of development, scope possibilities and growth."

This partnership has played an important role in helping Kim Health Center expand access to dental care and plan for a sustainable future, ensuring more patients can receive the care they need.

Looking ahead

After 32 years of service, Kim Health Center continues to evolve in response to community needs. With plans to expand dental services, a growing patient base, and a steadfast commitment to integrated, patient‑centered care, the clinic remains a vital resource for East Tennessee.

As Kim Health Center looks ahead, its focus remains the same: creating healthier lives, stronger communities, and more reasons to smile.

Utilizing Kim Health Center

Kim Health Center is part of the Safety Net Program in accordance with the State of Tennessee. To become a patient, you must be between the ages of 19-64, live in Tennessee, have no form of health insurance, and have some form of a job.

If you'd like to make an appointment or learn more about their services, call their office at 1-865-577-3733. During a dental visit, patients receive a detailed health history, a comprehensive exam, and necessary X‑rays to fully assess their oral health needs. For primary care appointments, the visit includes a thorough medical history, lab work as needed, and a comprehensive exam. This approach allows the care team to understand each patient’s overall health and provide the most appropriate next steps for care.

View our Dental Care Resource Guide for an updated directory of free, low-cost and sliding-fee dental clinics located across the state of Tennessee.