About Us

KAPA's main objective is to aid in solving the problem of the uninsured in Knox, Anderson, Roane, Loudon, Morgan, Monroe, Scott, Campbell, Claiborne, Union, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Sevier, Blount, Cumberland, White, Putnam, Jackson, Clay, Pickett, Overton, and Fentress counties. We do this by linking local physicians, hospitals, and local health clinics that agree to donate their services to the individuals and families in need of health care services.

Knoxville Area Project Access is a program sponsored by the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine. The KAM Foundation has provided funding for many community programs.  One of these programs was the Free Flu Shot Saturday Program.  Since the program’s inception in 1994, the Free Flu Shot Saturday program administered over 169,000 free influenza vaccinations to Knoxville residents and received more than $723,000 in donations for the Empty Stocking Fund which provided clothing, food and gifts to more than 35,000 families during the holiday season.  Other programs included East Tennessee Health Discovery Center, Habitat for Humanity, the Serenity Shelter, TMA Physicians Health Program, and purchasing fans for the needy during the hot, hot days of summer.

In April of 2005 the Foundation Board of Governors voted to end the Free Flu Shot Saturday Program to go forward with the establishment of Knoxville Area Project Access (KAPA), the comprehensive healthcare plan for Knox County’s low income, uninsured individuals who qualify for this program.  The KAPA goal is to establish medical homes for the underprivileged and train them to be accountable for managing their own healthcare.

Thanks to our KAM Foundation and to area hospitals for their vision, the contributions made the dream of Knoxville Area Project Access a reality.  KAPA began in March 2006 and is housed at the Knoxville Academy of Medicine.  It is physician-led in cooperation with many community health partners.