Summit Medical Group

About Summit

Summit Medical Group was formed in 1995 by 35 Knoxville physicians who had been in the practice of internal medicine and family practice for up to 40 years. These physicians had similar ideals, practice standards, and a desire to improve their ability to better serve their patients and to be successful in the practice of medicine.

With the framework of this common vision and the strength of pooled resources, Summit Medical Group has become the largest and most widespread organization in the provision of primary care in the East Tennessee region.

Summit offers an ideal work/life balance. Physicians are able to see their patients without worrying about all of the back office stresses that can occur in a private practice group but still have the opportunity for leadership and have a hand in the future of their practice. 

Currently, Summit Medical Group has over 300 providers in 60 office locations in 13 counties in the East Tennessee region. Summit “has come a long way” since its inception and will continue to be creative and innovative in service. Summit is moving ahead in other areas as well, including cooperation with its community hospital partners in meeting primary care needs. Summit’s dedication to service and excellence remains a prime motivation in providing for the needs of those who entrust their health to Summit physicians.

Make the Summit Advantage yours.

About the Community

In 1799, John Gilleland donated land along the French Broad River (the area now referred to as \"Old Town\") to create the town of Newport. In 1834, Newport had a population of 150, two general stores, two doctors, three blacksmiths, two tailors, two hatters, two churches and two taverns. The town of Newport relocated to nearby railroad tracks when the Cincinnati, Cumberland Gap and Charleston Railroad was constructed between 1866 and 1869. The Newport Milling Company and Stokely Brothers & Company canning factory contributed to the town\'s growth. Though Stokely Brothers eventually operated 34 factories in 14 states, the headquarters remained in Newport. Today, Newport has a population of 33,000 and four state and national forests. Though much has changed over the years, the centuries-old town has never lost its small town appeal.

Historic Dandridge bears the distinction of being the only town in the United States name after Martha Dandridge Washington, wife of our first President, George Washington. In 1783, thirteen years before Tennessee became a state, the first permanent settlers were attracted to the Dandridge area by the French Broad River and a good spring, around which the town was laid out.  By 1792, the settlement had grown to such an extent that Governor William Blount designated the new county of Jefferson in the Territory South of the Ohio River.  Francis Dean, a wealthy landowner, gave fifty acres for Dandridge, which became a county seat.

Travelers arriving by the stage route and by steamboats on the French Broad River frequently stayed over in Dandridge.  As a result, early taverns and inns were abundant.  Four of these early taverns still exist today. The greatest modern influence on Dandridge was the creation of Douglas Lake, a TVA project, which threatened to flood the town in the early 1940’s.  To save the town, a million-dollar dike of native stone set in tons of solid earth was built to hold back the waters of the new lake.