MARYVILLE, Tenn. — A Maryville pediatrician's office is planning to host a block party and flu shot clinics this fall.
Shults Pediatrics has been open in Knoxville for 22 years and set up shop with an additional office in Maryville last fall.
Practice Coordinator Courtney Gann said this year's Block Party celebrates the anniversaries of both offices and will be held at the Maryville location from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 27.
"We will have a DJ, there will be local businesses here set up and, and they'll have their own tables and games and there will be a grand prize for people who are in attendance," Gann said.
The pediatrician's office is one of several medical offices that have chosen to open up a Blount County location recently.
"We want to make sure people who are needing care are able to get care in their community, without having to drive 45 minutes down the road to go to Knoxville or Oak Ridge," she said.
East Tennessee Children's Hospital opened its Blount Outpatient Center last week in Alcoa.
Alcoa's City Manager Bruce Applegate said there's a need in Blount County for medical services.
"Individuals who are in the area are going to have much closer access to some of the services they need," Applegate said. "I think most of the improvements we are trying to make within the city of Alcoa are really geared around trying to ensure people can stay closer to home for those services instead of trying to drive to Knoxville or elsewhere."
Gann said both locations will be offering flu shot clinics this month.
As for opening up shop in Maryville, Gann said patients are happy they don't have to drive too far to get care.
"We've had a few that maybe haven't seen a provider in a few years," Gann said. "They are just a bit older and time gets away from you. It's nice we are right here, to come by, schedule an appointment and be seen."
