Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP will join other Tennessee Department of Health officials on Thursday, March 5 to brief media members on Tennessee’s response to and preparedness for the COVID-19 outbreak. The briefing will be held from noon – 1 p.m. Central time in the State Health Operations Center located at 710 James Robertson Parkway in Nashville. Media members who cannot attend in person may participate via conference call.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP today provided an update on actions underway to ensure Tennessee is prepared for an outbreak of COVID-19. Tennessee does not have any cases of COVID-19 at this time, and the risk to the general population in Tennessee and the United States remains low. Piercey’s remarks are available online at https://youtu.be/XQjeJqg72cI. Her statements are included below.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health joins partners across the state in celebrating the fifth annual Tennessee Quit Week February 3 - 7, 2020. This year’s theme is “Seeing 2020 Tobacco-Free,” and the goal is to inspire Tennesseans to live healthier lives by taking advantage of the state’s free resource, the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine to quit using tobacco products.

The Tennessee Department of Health has been notified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the individual in Tennessee who was recently tested for possible infection with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has tested negative.

NASHVILLE – Ava has ascended to the top spot on the list of most popular names for baby girls born in Tennessee in 2019. William holds on to the number one spot as the most popular name chosen for baby boys in Tennessee for the 13th straight year.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Hospital Association are recognizing 18 birthing hospitals with the BEST for Babies Award for their efforts to reduce infant deaths in Tennessee. The BEST award stands for breastfeeding, early elective delivery reduction and safe sleep for Tennessee babies. TDH has partnered with Tennessee birthing hospitals since 2014 to promote safe sleep for infants and help give Tennessee babies a great start to life.

NASHVILLE – The flu vaccine is now being offered at no charge to patients at Tennessee’s county health department clinics as long as supplies last. Seasonal influenza is now widespread across Tennessee, but it’s not too late to get a flu shot!

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP has suspended new admissions of residents to Morningside of Paris effective Dec. 11, 2019. Piercey has also imposed four state civil monetary penalties for a total amount of $10,000. A special monitor has been appointed to review the facility’s operations.

NASHVILLE – Tim Jones, MD has been named chief medical officer for the Tennessee Department of Health. In this position, Jones will serve as an advisor to the commissioner on matters of health policy and assist in setting priorities for the department. Jones has been serving as acting chief medical officer since the retirement of David Reagan, MD.

NASHVILLE – The Certificate of Public Advantage Local Advisory Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 7 in compliance with the Terms of Certification of the COPA that include a formal process for the public to comment on Ballad Health System’s Annual Report. The hearing will be held from 5:30 – 7 p.m. EST in the Northeast State Community College Center for the Arts located at 2425 Highway 75 in Blountville.

NASHVILLE – In Tennessee, approximately 18,000 people are living with HIV, and 760 of them were newly diagnosed in 2018. The Tennessee Department of Health is working to increase access to preventive medication and empower HIV-positive Tennesseans to seek and stay engaged in HIV care. As part of this effort to end the HIV epidemic in Tennessee, TDH is joining the “Undetectable Equals Untransmittable” or “U=U” campaign.

NASHVILLE – Brent Culberson has been appointed assistant commissioner of Health Licensure and Regulation for the Tennessee Department of Health. In this role, Culberson oversees a staff of approximately 350 employees in Health Professional Boards, Health Care Facilities, the Office of Investigations and Emergency Medical Services.

NASHVILLE – Get a flu shot! The Tennessee Department of Health is urging all Tennesseans who have not yet received a flu shot this flu season to get one as soon as possible, as seasonal influenza cases are increasing across the state. Tennessee county health departments are holding special “Fight Flu TN” flu vaccine events in every county November 19 to increase the number of people vaccinated across Tennessee.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health is celebrating the lowest infant mortality rate in the state in three years. TDH data show there were 38 fewer infant deaths in the state in 2018 than in 2017. Infant mortality is defined as the death of a child before his or her first birthday, and is a critical indicator of the overall health of the state.

NASHVILLE – Breast cancer is the leading cause of new cancer cases and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Tennessee women, with approximately 5,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year in the state. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Tennessee Department of Health reminds Tennesseans that early detection through regular screening and timely treatment can improve chances of survival of breast cancer.