Remote Area Medical Will Open Chattanooga Clinic

A pop-up health clinic will provide care at Notre Dame High School starting on October 17.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Healthcare

Gouache-painted illustration of a medical stethoscope resting on a wooden surface, evoking community healthcare access. — Remote Area Medical will operate a pop-up health clinic at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga starting October 17, providing services to the uninsured. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Remote Area Medical will host a pop-up health clinic in Chattanooga starting at 6 a.m. on October 17. The event provides medical services for patients on a first-come, first-serve basis, requiring no insurance or identification.

Why it matters

The clinic addresses significant healthcare gaps in Tennessee, where hospital closures and high uninsured rates limit access to medical services. Such pop-up events offer essential care to underserved populations lacking traditional coverage.

Since 1985, Remote Area Medical has served over 1 million patients across its clinics. Currently, 14% of Tennessee adults remain uninsured, a figure exacerbated by the closure of 10 rural hospitals in the state since 2015.

The players

Remote Area Medical

This nonprofit organization provides free mobile medical, dental, and vision care to people who are uninsured or have limited access to healthcare.

Tennessee State Guard

This state-level military force assists in community support operations and will help manage the parking lot for the upcoming clinic event.

Notre Dame High School

This educational institution in Chattanooga serves as the host site for the upcoming medical event.

The details

Patients can begin lining up in the parking lot at Notre Dame High School at 11:59 p.m. on October 16. The Tennessee State Guard will provide support by managing the parking area for the event, which is expected to conclude on the evening of October 18.

Patients may begin lining up at 11:59 p.m. on October 16, 2026.
The clinic opens at 6 a.m. on October 17, 2026.
The clinic will conclude on the evening of October 18, 2026.

Market Landscape

The emergence of pop-up clinics highlights a structural shift as the healthcare sector struggles to compensate for the decline of localized rural inpatient facilities. This event reflects a broader strategy by non-profits to fill service voids left by the closure of rural hospitals in Tennessee since 2015.

Residents seeking care can access medical services without the need for insurance or identification. Prospective patients should plan for potential wait times and ensure they are ready for the opening on the morning of October 17.

The takeaway

The event provides a crucial, temporary solution for individuals navigating the challenges of a fragmented healthcare system. Attendees should prioritize arriving early to secure a spot, as the clinic operates on a first-come, first-serve basis.