<p>Starr Regional Medical Center in Athens, Tennessee is recruiting a board-certified or board-eligible Emergency Medicine physician to join its established emergency department at a Joint Commission–accredited two-hospital system. Formed through the merger of Athens Regional Medical Center and Woods Memorial Hospital, Starr Regional brings together shared resources and an elevated regional care standard — including a nationally recognized cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). The schedule is built around 12-hour physician shifts with daily Advanced Practice Clinician (APC) support, offering a sustainable, team-based practice model in a low-cost, no-state-income-tax environment.</p>
<h3>Perks and Benefits</h3> <ul> <li>Competitive hourly rate with a straightforward shift-based compensation structure</li> <li>Sign-on bonus available</li> <li>Relocation assistance provided</li> <li>Student loan repayment options available</li> <li>Paid professional liability insurance with tail coverage included</li> <li>No Tennessee state income tax — a meaningful take-home pay advantage</li> <li>Reasonable cost of living in the Athens/McMinn County region</li> </ul>
<h3>Practice Highlights</h3> <ul> <li>12-hour physician shifts providing predictable, structured scheduling</li> <li>Advanced Practice Clinician (APC) on-site daily to support patient throughput and team-based care</li> <li>Joint Commission–accredited facility with a strong institutional commitment to quality standards</li> <li>Two-hospital system (Athens Regional Medical Center and Woods Memorial Hospital merged) sharing clinical resources across the region</li> <li>Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), reflecting the system's investment in specialty service lines</li> <li>Regional referral catchment serving McMinn County and surrounding East Tennessee communities</li> </ul>
<h3>Qualifications</h3> <ul> <li>Board certification or board eligibility in Emergency Medicine</li> <li>Completion of an ACGME-accredited Emergency Medicine residency</li> <li>Active Tennessee medical license or eligibility to obtain prior to start</li> <li>Comfort managing the full spectrum of community emergency department acuity</li> </ul>
<h3>About the Community</h3> <p>Athens is the seat of McMinn County in the foothills of East Tennessee, situated between Chattanooga (approximately 50 miles south) and Knoxville (approximately 50 miles north) — giving residents easy access to two major metros while enjoying a small-city pace and cost of living. The region offers four-season outdoor recreation including proximity to the Cherokee National Forest, Hiwassee River, and the broader Tennessee River system, making it a natural fit for physicians who value hiking, fishing, and water sports alongside a strong sense of community.</p>