Our Owner and Founder 

Tammy Francis, RN, CDE, started Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice in 1982 literally out of the trunk of her car. After completing nursing school, she soon realized that many frail, elderly and home-bound people really want to stay at home in their later years to receive health care services. At that time, there were not many options available for in-home care services in rural communities like Newport, Tennessee, much less woman-owned small businesses.

Since 1982, Ms. Francis continues to manage the agency on a daily basis and as an on-call nurse continues to be accessible to patients and their families. Tammy is married to Don “Jabo” Francis, who owns Jabo’s Pharmacy in Newport. They are very active in the community and their church.

The hospice nurse is a vital part of the Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice team. 

Hospice care is often called end-of-life care, and hospice nurses are tasked with keeping patients comfortable, instead of providing treatments that extend their lives. A hospice nurse is assigned to patients who typically have 6 months or less to live and have chosen hospice care at the end of life. As part of the hospice philosophy of care, a hospice nurse focuses on comfort and quality of life. They provide individualized care based on each person’s unique needs.

Our Team

Our team includes a physician, nurse practioner, registered nurse, medical social worker, chaplain, home health aide, volunteer, and other specialists if necessary.

Together, the team addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient and their family.

Your Flexible Schedule (8 hr shifts)

One of the appealing aspects of hospice nursing is that your day is a flexible one...and you are in control!  You plan your home and facility visits, the route to take, and have the ability to spend more time as  needed to support patients and their families.

You need to be strong in your nursing skills but also possess firm values and a keen sense of responsibility to be able to do what we do each day.  The successful hospice nurse is one who can move through the day independently and autonomously.

Join our Team ❤️️

Our company is still operated by our Founder, Ms. Tammy Francis. Ms. Francis cares not only for her patients and their families, but also for her staff. This type of passion and care from our owner, carries a unique and powerful love and sense of team/family with our entire staff.

If you value feeling like a person with a "name" and not a "number", then we are the right fit for you. 

Answer the Call of Hospice Nursing 

Many of our Nurses say that they feel that being a Hospice nurse became "a calling" to them.   Inside every nurse  is a need to be fulfilled.  Are you searching for a way to find that fulfillment...to be the person that makes a dramatic difference in the lives of patients and their families?

Hospice Nurses are called upon to do things that others cannot.  Perhaps you have the ability to dig deep and push past difficult circumstances and moments.  This kind of Nursing takes people skills, compassion, resiliency and resourcefulness.

As a hospice nurse you understand and accept the call to care for  patients approaching the end of their life.  You are an integral part of a team of professionals whose goal is to provide comfort and ongoing support to patients and their families.  There is a deep sense of satisfaction that comes from providing this kind of nursing  care...care that is effective, deeply appreciated and not forgotten by grateful loved ones.

See our patient family testimonials ⬇️

We proudly serve 13 counties in East Tennessee

Corporate Office
222 Heritage Blvd
Newport, TN 37821

Phone: 423-623-0233

Office Locations

• Newport
• Knoxville East
• Knoxville West
• Morristown
• Greeneville
• Tazewell
• Kingsport