Parkwest Medical Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Parkwest Medical Center provides quality healthcare, in alignment with Covenant Health's mission to serve the community by improving the quality of life through better health, regardless of the patient's ability to pay.
- Income
- $469.8 million
- Spending
- $468.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 99%
- Reserves
- 0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 99%
- Employees
- 2,677
- Volunteers
- 102
- Highest pay
- $3.2 million, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1599% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $462.1 million spent. Parkwest Medical Center ("Parkwest") admitted its first patient on December 10, 1973. It became a not-for-profit hospital in 1990 and became part of Covenant Health in 1996. Peninsula, a division of Parkwest Medical Center, ("Peninsula") is the behavioral services division of Parkwest and the region's largest provider of behavioral health services. Peninsula has a 119-bed hospital in Blount County providing mental health services for adolescents and adults. Peninsula also provides outpatient services in four counties. SERVICEWest Knoxville's largest medical center, Parkwest has an organizational culture focused on treating every patient and visitor with courtesy, compassion, and respect. It is best known for excellence in orthopedics, cardiology, surgical and behavioral health. Parkwest and Peninsula served 257,260 patients in 2024. Of these, 237,082 were outpatients and 20,178 were inpatients with an average length-of-stay of 4.54 days. PUTTING PATIENTS FIRSTIn 2024, Parkwest was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as #7 in its list of "Best Hospitals in Tennessee, and the #2 hospital in Knoxville metro area. Parkwest was rated as a "High-Performing" hospital by US News & World Report for COPD, colon cancer surgery, heart attack, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, hip replacement, knee replacement, prostate cancer surgery, and stroke care.BlueCross BlueShield gave the hospital a Blue Distinction Center+ designation for knee replacement and hip surgery, spine surgery, and maternity care, and a Blue Distinction Center designation for bariatric surgery. The Joint Commission has designated the hospital as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, and Parkwest is a member of Covenant Health's stroke hospital network, which links Covenant Health's member hospitals in providing rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke. Parkwest was recognized with a GoldPlus Stroke Quality Achievement Award by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Parkwest has earned the GoldPlus Quality Award from the American Heart Association, recognizing consistent compliance with evidence-based quality measures for care of patients experiencing heart attacks, and a Gold award for non-STEMI quality measures.IMPROVING THE COMMUNITY'S QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH BETTER HEALTHIn 2024 Parkwest provided over $219,000 worth of transportation, which includes payment to Priority Ambulance for patients to receive treatments, and taxi/transportation fares for patients who had been discharged and needed transportation home.In 2024 Parkwest participated in the Greater Knoxville Heart Walk, raising funds and awareness for heart disease. Parkwest also participates in local health fair screenings for area businesses and groups, providing carotid ultrasound screenings and physical therapy ergonomic education, as well as stroke education. In 2024 the employees at Parkwest also raised money for our internal employee chaplain's fund, which helps employees who are experiencing unusual or extraordinary financial needs.As a member of Covenant Health, Parkwest and Peninsula have adopted the "We Honor Veterans" program, recognizing and celebrating patients and employees in our facility who are veterans. When a patient is identified as a veteran they are recognized with a certificate and pinning ceremony. Supporting Mental Health Peninsula, a division of Parkwest Medical Center ("Peninsula") is the behavioral services division of Parkwest and provides a variety of inpatient and outpatient services for children, adolescents and adults. Peninsula's 119-bed inpatient hospital is located in Blount County, with outpatient centers in Knox, Blount, Loudon and Sevier Counties. Peninsula also offers care specifically designed for seniors with co-existing psychiatric and medical conditions at the Senior Behavioral Center located at Parkwest. Peninsula has helped thousands of people recover from disorders and dependencies, and lead healthy, positive and productive lives. In addition to inpatient and outpatient services that require payment, Peninsula offers several no-cost programs for community members. ComPASS (Communicating the Pain as Suicide Survivors) ComPASS is an ongoing community support group for those who have lost a family member, friend or coworker to suicide. The group provides a safe environment for survivors to share feelings and experiences, affirms suicide bereavement, educates survivors in healthy coping and healing strategies and provides opportunities to learn from other survivors. Peninsula hosted its 6th Annual Survivors of Suicide Loss Day in 2024 to provide resources and support for those affected by suicide. Independent Living Program The Independent Living Program provides emergency financial assistance to persons diagnosed with a mental illness. An application providing financial information is required and must be assessed and approved by the program coordinator. Peer Support Academies Peninsula's Peer Support Academies are centers that offer peer support for hundreds of individuals in Blount, Knox and Sevier counties. Men and women age 18 and older who have a mental illness are eligible to apply to participate in the program, which is offered free of charge. Peer Support Academies provide socialization opportunities, education and support groups to enhance wellness for adults who struggle with addiction, dependency and other mental and behavioral issues. The academies are staffed by peer support specialists who are certified by the State of Tennessee. Recovery Link Recovery Link is designed to bridge the gap between addiction and recovery by connecting people who suffer from addiction to treatment programs. The program serves East Tennessee residents and will assist anyone, free of charge, in finding the treatment program that is right for them. Support Groups Peninsula offers several types of support groups which are open to the community. Most support groups meet at the Peninsula Lighthouse campus at 1451 Dowell
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1990.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.