There is something pretty incredible about celebrating 40 years.
In 1986, a small group of local healthcare professionals and volunteers saw a community in crisis and decided to do something about it. The HIV/AIDS epidemic was still new, fear and misinformation were everywhere, and people needed education, resources, compassion, and support.
That was the beginning of Chattanooga CARES, and the beginning of a legacy I am incredibly proud to carry forward today.
A lot can change in 40 years. Thankfully, HIV treatment has advanced in ways that would have been difficult to imagine in 1986. Our organization has changed, too.
What began as a grassroots effort has grown far beyond what those early volunteers could have imagined. Over the years, our work has expanded from HIV education and support to primary care, infectious disease care, behavioral health, dentistry, pharmacy, and more. Rebranding as Cempa Community Care in 2018 reflected that evolution and a growing commitment to caring for the whole person, while never losing sight of the compassion and dignity at the heart of our earliest work.
As Cempa has evolved, one question has remained at the center of our work: What does our community need from us now?
That question has guided Cempa for 40 years, and it is guiding us straight into our next chapter.
Celebrating Where We’ve Been — and Where We’re Going
We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to kick off our 40th anniversary than by breaking ground on the future of Cempa.
On August 21, we broke ground on a substantial facility expansion at 1000 East 3rd Street, slated for completion in winter 2027. The new building will bring primary care, infectious disease care, dentistry, behavioral health, and pharmacy services together in one location.
And I cannot wait to see it come to life.
We’re streamlining parking and building out a dedicated patient entrance. We’re adding modern exam spaces, improving accessibility and security, and creating welcoming areas for patients and families. Most importantly, we’re bringing our teams together to make it easier for our patients to receive comprehensive, coordinated care. It’s healthcare designed around patients, not departments.
When I first came to this organization, I quickly learned how much can happen when people feel cared for, respected, and supported. I’ve watched our team transform lives simply by meeting people where they are and giving them the tools and resources they need to move forward.
Forty years after our founding, that is still who we are.
So yes, we’re going to celebrate this big birthday! We’re going to remember the people who had the courage to start Chattanooga CARES in 1986, recognize the countless staff members, volunteers, partners, and supporters who carried the mission forward, and celebrate every patient who has trusted us with their care.
But then we’re going to get back to work.
Because turning 40 isn’t our finish line. It’s our launching pad.
We’ve spent four decades building healthier communities. Now, together, we get to build the next 40. To learn more about Cempa Community Care’s history and future, click here.
