Southeast Tennessee Project Access

We were so privileged to be able to continue feeding our neighbors in need this August.

Congratulations to Dr. Judy Dedeker, a 2026 Champion of Healthcare as a community volunteer.

After grant funding for her work at Volunteers in Medicine, Chattanooga, Inc. ended, Judy chose to stay, continuing to volunteer because she wanted to maintain the continuity of care for the patients she had come to know. Since 2014, she has helped provide care to thousands of patients while also mentoring future nurse practitioners and encouraging other healthcare professionals to give back.

As a valued Project Access partner, we’re grateful for Judy’s compassion, commitment and example of what it truly means to serve our community.

Champions of Health Care 2026: No money, no problem for Volunteers in Medicine’s Judy Dedeker | Chattanooga Times Free Press There's a scene from the movie "Field of Dreams" where baseball legend "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, played by the late actor Ray Liotta, explains his love for the game.

Read more about self-care and coping strategies, and how to find additional help if you need it.

1. Don’t forget your basic needs. When you’re in a crisis or managing big emotions, it’s easy to forget the everyday habits that can improve your mood and well-being:
-Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eight to 10 hours is ideal.
-Spend time outside when possible.
-Move your body in whatever way you can that feels good to you.
-Make sure you’re eating and drinking plenty of water.
-Try journaling, meditation or breathing to help you ground yourself in the present moment.

2. Prioritize self-care and stress relief.
Set aside a dedicated time each day to do something that makes you feel calm, alleviates stress or simply makes you happy—whether it’s meditation, giving yourself a facial, cooking, dancing to your favorite playlist, walking your dog or doodling in a coloring book.

3. Stay connected. Spending time with people you trust can really help you process and manage big emotions and is good for your mental health overall. Even if you don’t feel up to it, reach out to friends and family you trust, in person or remotely. You might be surprised how much it helps in hard moments.

4. Take breaks from news stories and social media.
Non-stop exposure to anxiety-producing news can amp up any difficult feelings you’re already having. If you find yourself feeling worse after scrolling your feeds, do what you can to limit stressful content. You can decide to check in only at certain times, turn off notifications, or unfollow accounts that create stress and focus on ones that help you feel calm and connected.

We’re ready! 😎

The clubs are packed, the greens are calling, and we’re ready to hit the course for a great cause! 🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️

Tomorrow is the big day, and we can’t wait to see all of our golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and friends at the Golf for Good Annual Golf Classic!

☀️ Friendly reminder: Please hydrate! It’s going to be a beautiful day on the course, so bring your water bottle, drink plenty of fluids, and come ready to have a great time.

Together, we’re caring, healing, and serving our community. 💙

Let’s GOLF FOR GOOD! ⛳️

We have so many different kinds of supporters for Golf for Good and we appreciate every one! Thank you to all of our In-Kind Sponsors. We look forward to seeing everyone on the course tomorrow!

Thank you to our Golf for Good Silver Sponsor, Current Electric of Chattanooga, LLC! We look forward to seeing all participants at Brown Acres on Friday.

Thank you for all your support! We have officially SOLD OUT for 2026!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Rae Bond, who was recently honored by the Tennessee Charitable Care Network for her years of dedicated service on the organization’s board and her leadership as chair of the Policy Committee.

Rae’s commitment to expanding access to care doesn’t stop at our community. Her work has helped strengthen Project Access and charitable care efforts across Tennessee, and it was especially meaningful to see leaders from other Project Access programs and TCCN partners from across the state join in recognizing her contributions.

Among those honoring Rae was Tennessee Commissioner of Health Dr. John Dunn,

Congratulations, Rae, and thank you for representing our organization and the patients we serve so well. We’re fortunate to have you leading the way.

Project Access providers provide care that looks out for everyone. Because everyone deserves access to high-quality medical care, regardless of their circumstances.