Morning Pointe Senior Living has been awarded and is implementing a $3.3 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH).
The TDH offered the Healthcare Resiliency Program: Practice Transformation and Extension Grant in 2023 to healthcare organizations to enhance and upgrade medical practices, technology and service delivery. Morning Pointe Senior Living, based in Ooltewah, Tennessee, submitted a proposal. The TDH awarded the grant to Morning Pointe in 2023 for its Tennessee Senior and Underserved Resiliency Endeavor project (TN-SURE), and the company has been implementing the project through the grant.
Tennessee Health Commissioner Ralph Alvarado, MD, FACP, emphasized the importance of expanding access to quality healthcare across Tennessee’s regions and communities. “By promoting strong leadership in both the public and private sectors, we have the opportunity to reshape the culture of health and healthcare in Tennessee,” Dr. Alvarado said. “This will position our state as a leader in the Southeast, ensuring that the healthcare needs of our citizens are met where they live, work, play and worship.”
Morning Pointe Senior Living is using the funds awarded to enhance senior healthcare services and safety, as well as support education and career development for healthcare workers across 21 Morning Pointe assisted living and memory care communities in Tennessee.
Grant Impact
The TN-SURE grant aims to positively impact the lives of seniors and healthcare workers by implementing new technologies, improving care coordination, and expanding educational opportunities for caregivers. The grant will directly benefit over 1,250 seniors and more than 1,000 employees, including those in rural and underserved areas.
“Our seniors have always been at the heart of everything we do,” said Franklin Farrow, co-founder and CEO of Morning Pointe Senior Living. “The TN-SURE grant is allowing us to make critical investments in technology, security, and staff training, ensuring that we continue to provide the highest level of care for our residents, while also preparing for any future healthcare challenges, such as those that the senior living field experienced during the COVID pandemic.”
The TN-SURE project, which is in the process of rolling out through mid-2026, will update and modernize Morning Pointe Senior Living’s care and technology infrastructure in Tennessee, creating a more resilient and secure future for its residents and associates.
What is Involved in the TN-SURE Grant
Key initiatives funded by the TN-SURE grant include:
- Enhanced Internet Access: Upgrading the technological infrastructure across all facilities to support better communication with healthcare providers and facilitate residents’ social engagement.
- Improved Senior Care Coordination: Implementing electronic medication administration records (eMAR) and Health Information Exchanges (HIE) to streamline communication with doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies.
- Safety Enhancements: Installing state-of-the-art nurse call systems and security measures to further protect residents, particularly those in memory care units.
- Educational Opportunities for Staff: Providing caregivers and healthcare workers with educational resources, certifications, and career development programs to enhance their skills, increase their earning potential and improve employee retention.
- Social Engagement: Launching new social engagement programs and platforms to help seniors stay connected with their families and the community, improving their mental and emotional well-being.
“We are pleased to implement these important enhancements within our healthcare communities,” said BeBe Kennedy, RN, Morning Pointe Senior Living’s vice president of clinical services. “We have already started the initiatives and now have all of our communities on eMAR. Even beyond that, this grant will provide a sustained positive impact on the health and well-being of our residents, while also supporting our caregivers, who consistently deliver high-quality, compassionate care.”
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Founded in 1997 by Greg A. Vital and Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates 39 assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states. In the Chattanooga area, these include campuses in Chattanooga, East Hamilton County, Collegedale and Hixson. Each Morning Pointe community provides access to clinical care; meals with dietician oversight and an emphasis on fresh, local produce; a full life enrichment activity program; engaging community partnerships; and on-site physical, occupational and speech therapy services. For more information, visit morningpointe.com.
