This year, Tennessee Oncology proudly celebrates 50 years of caring for patients across the Volunteer State.
Founded in 1976 by Dr. Stuart Spigel, Tennessee Oncology began with a clear and enduring mission: to provide high-quality cancer care and access to clinical research close to where patients live. Five decades later, much has changed—but that founding principle remains at the heart of everything we do.
From a single clinic, Tennessee Oncology has grown into the largest cancer care provider in Tennessee, caring for nearly half of the state’s cancer patients. While our footprint has expanded dramatically, our commitment has not wavered. We remain steadfast in our promise to bring world-class cancer care and clinical trials into the communities where our patients live, work, and raise their families.
Over the years, Tennessee Oncology has recruited some of the nation’s most talented physicians, many of whom have chosen to build their careers—and their lives—here in Tennessee. What began with a foundation in medical oncology and hematology has evolved into a comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer care model. Today, patients benefit from access to clinical trials, radiation oncology, and advanced therapies including immunotherapies, CAR-T, proton therapy, and theranostics.
We have also expanded our team of specialists, welcoming surgeons, gynecologic oncologists, and breast and prostate cancer experts, among others. Each addition reinforces our long-standing belief that exceptional cancer care should not be limited to academic medical centers, but available in communities throughout Tennessee.
Our growth has carried us far beyond our Nashville roots. With physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and allied health professionals caring for patients at nearly 90 sites of service, including clinics, labs, and imaging centers across Tennessee and North Georgia, Tennessee Oncology is deeply embedded in the communities we serve.
Through every phase of growth, patients have remained our north star. From expanding supportive oncology services in rural and underserved areas to advancing the adoption of palliative care, we have continually worked to meet patients where they are—medically, emotionally, and geographically.
As we celebrate our 50 years, the Tennessee Oncology family looks forward to reflecting on the milestones that brought us here and sharing the innovations that will shape the future of cancer care in our state. Together, we honor our past, serve our patients today, and continue building what comes next.
