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STATE OF TENNESSEE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Andrew Johnson Tower, 5th Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
BILL LEE LISA PIERCEY, MD, MBA, FAAP
Governor Commissioner
March 20, 2020
Dear Health Care Provider:
The Tennessee Division of Health Related Boards and the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) are committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public. The Department fully understands the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses that providing healthcare services poses to patients, staff and licensees and is working closely with the Office of the Governor, TDH, and additional state agencies to ensure licensees have the information and guidance they need to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Due to the developing nature of this public health event, the Department is monitoring regulatory issues that may affect our licensees as they manage the COVID-19 crisis. Some of these issues are addressed by Executive Orders issued by the Governor’s Office, which can be found at https://sos.tn.gov/products/division-publications/executive-orders-governor-bill-lee.
The Department recommends and encourages licensees to review the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) COVID-19 web page at https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/caring-for-patients.html, as you make decisions on how to provide patient care. The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a strain on all healthcare services and its licensees. Service to patients is the primary obligation of a licensee. Please use your professional judgment and discretion to make decisions concerning limiting or closing offices as you evaluate this evolving situation and follow the CDC’s guidance on social distancing.
The administrative offices of the Tennessee Division of Health Related Boards is open and operational, and we will continue to perform the essential functions of our agency while providing the highest level of service possible.
We will update this information as we learn more details from the Governor’s Office, other state agencies and the CDC.
Sincerely,
Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP
Commissioner
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