About Us

In 1996, the mission committee of First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Tennessee read an article in Parade Magazine about the health care crisis in the United States. It stated that one million more Americans go without health insurance each year, and one way that communities could help was to start a charitable clinic. The initial planning meeting for the health center was attended by one hundred people. Healing Hands Health Center opened just eighteen months later. This October, Healing Hands Health Center will celebrate 25 years of service to our region! Since opening in October 1997, our clinic has provided 100,200 patient visits and dispensed over $42 million in prescription medications.

Healing Hands has experienced tremendous growth in 25 years. The need for healthcare services for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured individuals in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia continues to increase. Support from a generous community, strong partnerships and well forged relationships have enabled Healing Hands to expand medical and dental services in an effort to meet the need.

In April 2022, the ribbon was cut on the J.D. and Lorraine Nicewonder Education Center and Student Dormitory! The new facility has an education center, wellness teaching kitchen, meeting space, four offices, and a dormitory that houses up to twelve students who will help treat more patients.

We are thankful for strong partnerships including Ballad Health, United Way of Bristol, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry, Delta Dental of Tennessee, ETSU Dental Hygiene Program, ETSU Quillen College of Medicine, Appalachian College of Pharmacy, King University School of Nursing, and extremely dedicated volunteers such as physicians, nurses, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, opticians, lay & clerical workers, and event volunteers.

Services provided by Healing Hands include medical care and much needed medications; dental care including exams, X-rays, cleanings, extractions, fillings, partials, and dentures; eye exams and eyeglasses. Healing Hands has a Patient Navigator and Community Health Workers to assist patients with identifying and overcoming barriers that prevent access to healthcare resources and living a healthy life.

To be eligible, patients must be uninsured, live in Northeast Tennessee or Southwest Virginia and have a total household income of 250% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The clinic acts as a referral source, and we do not overlap or duplicate services.

Healing Hands Health Center is a Proud Member of:

Healing Hands Health Center is incredibly grateful for the tremendous support we receive from the following: