About Covenant Health

young female nurse smiling with other medical staff behind her

From the President and CEO

On behalf of Covenant Health’s executive leadership team and all of our employees and physicians, thank you for your interest in our facilities and services. If you have chosen one of our member organizations to provide care for you or your family, we appreciate the trust and confidence you have placed in us.

Serving a 25-county area in East Tennessee, our health system includes hospitals, outpatient clinics and physician offices, and providers of specialty services such as behavioral health, cancer care, home care and rehabilitation. Covenant Health and its member organizations have been recognized both regionally and nationally for quality and excellent patient care. You can learn more about our medical services throughout our website, and you can see a partial listing of our clinical accreditations and recognitions by visiting our Accolades page.

It is my privilege to work alongside the more than 11,000 employees, affiliated physicians and volunteers of Covenant Health.

To provide the best care for our patients and to make our health system the best it can be, all of us at Covenant Health are committed to following our Pledge of Excellence every day:

  • The patient always comes first.
  • Excellence in everything we do.
  • We will make Covenant Health the first and best choice for the communities we serve.

We are honored to care for our patients, families and communities as we fulfill our health system’s mission: to improve the quality of life in our region through better health.

Sincerely,
Jim VanderSteeg
Covenant Health President and CEO

headshot of Jim VanderSteeg, president and CEO of Covenant Health
photo of front of covenant health building

Our Story

Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Covenant Health is a community-owned,  healthcare enterprise committed to providing the right care at the right time and place. As a not-for-profit health system, we are dedicated to being the region’s premier healthcare network through service, community and innovation. We provide patient-centered care that inspires clinical and service excellence and strive to be the first and best choice for our patients, employees, physicians, employers, volunteers and communities. Covenant Health is the area’s largest employer and has more than 11,000 compassionate caregivers, expert clinicians, and dedicated employees and volunteers.

We fulfill our mission to improve the quality of life in our region through comprehensive services at nearly 150 locations, including 10 hospitals; outpatient clinics; specialized behavioral, oncology and rehabilitation facilities; home care; physician practices, and community programs. Covenant Health is the area’s largest employer and has been recognized by Becker’s Healthcare Review, Newsweek and Forbes as a best employer.

Established in 1996 by the consolidation of Fort Sanders Health System and MMC HealthCare System, Covenant Health is governed by a voluntary board of directors made up of community leaders and medical professionals.

Philanthropic affiliates include Fort Sanders Foundation and the Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation in Knoxville, the Methodist Medical Center Foundation in Oak Ridge, the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation in Sevierville, and the Morristown-Hamblen Foundation in Morristown. Funds raised by the foundations provide services, equipment and other resources for excellence in patient care.

Mission, Vision, & Values


Our Mission

We serve the community by improving the quality of life through better health.

Our Vision

We are committed to being the region’s premier healthcare network by providing patient-centered care that inspires clinical and service excellence, making us the first and best choice for our patients, employees, physicians, employers, volunteers, and communities.

Our Values

In service to God and community, we value: integrity, quality, service, caring, growth, and stewardship.

Our Pledge of Excellence

Our Pledge of Excellence is at the heart of everything we do, every day.

We are Covenant Health. We pledge:

The patient always comes first.

We are Covenant Health. We pledge:

Excellence in everything we do.

We are Covenant Health. We pledge:

We will be the first and best choice for our patients.

A Moment 25 Years in the Making

Every hospital, clinic, and member organization of Covenant Health is working together to support our mission of excellence and community service. See how we’re making a difference in our 2021-22 Report to the Community.

Our 2021-22 Community Report

Meet Our Executive Leadership Team

Jim VanderSteeg profile image

Jim VanderSteeg

President and Chief Executive Officer, Covenant Health

Mike Belbeck profile image

Mike Belbeck

Executive Vice President of Operations, Covenant Health

Jon-David Deeson profile image

Jon-David Deeson

Executive Vice President of Physician Enterprise and Ambulatory Services, Covenant Health

Doug Campbell profile image

Doug Campbell

Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Covenant Health

Joe Dolan profile image

Joe Dolan

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Covenant Health

CEO Blog

Full Circle

Full Circle is a blog by Jim VanderSteeg, President and CEO of Covenant Health. Read our CEO’s thoughts about health care, leadership and other topics, as well as his updates about Covenant Health and our member organizations.

Read the Full Circle Blog
covenant health president and ceo jim vandersteeg

A Not-For-Profit, Community-Owned Healthcare System

We are committed to improving the quality of life in East Tennessee through better health. In partnership with our generous donors, Covenant’s 10,000+ employees, physicians, and volunteers are providing the very best care for our patients and their families.

Covenant Health