Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter (MMC) proudly welcomes four new physicians to its expanding network of providers: Drs. Leah Fassinger , Chandler Smith , Sarvani Singh , and Jillian Teslow . Each brings outstanding clinical training, compassion for patients, and a shared dedication to MMC’s mission of providing high-quality, patient-centered care close to home. Leah Fassinger, M.D. – Internal and Family Medicine Dr. Leah Fassinger joins MMC’s Internal and Family Medicine Department. She provides comprehensive primary care for individuals ages 6 and up, with a focus on preventive medicine and early detection. Dr. Fassinger earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Vanderbilt University, received her medical degree from ETSU Quillen College of Medicine and completed her residency at UTHSC Nashville Family Medicine. She takes a holistic, evidence-based approach to medicine, emphasizing preventive care and lifestyle management to help patients achieve long-term wellness Chandler Smith, D.O. – Internal and Family Medicine Dr. Chandler Smith joins MMC’s Internal and Family Medicine, where he provides comprehensive primary care for individuals ages 6 and up, with a focus on preventative medicine and early detection. Dr. Smith graduated from Tennessee Technological University and received his medical degree from William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency training at UTHSC at St. Francis in Memphis TN. He is passionate about helping people feel their best by focusing not just on improving health, but also on supporting overall well-being. Sarvani Singh, M.D. – Endocrinology Dr. Sarvani Singh joins MMC Endocrinology. She is a clinical endocrinologist specializing in general endocrinology, including thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pituitary pathology, and diabetes. Dr. Singh received her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine, and completed her residency at Meharry Medical College. She completed a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the University of Alabama. Dr. Jillian Teslow – Podiatry Dr. Jillian Teslow joins MMC Podiatry, specializing in foot and ankle surgery, reconstructive foot surgery, wound care, and diabetic foot complications. Dr. Teslow graduated from Luther College, earned her podiatry degree from Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and completed her residency at Ascension Macomb-Oakland. She is dedicated to helping patients find relief from foot pain and improving their quality of life through personalized treatment plans. A Commitment to Comprehensive, Compassionate Care “We are excited to welcome Drs. Fassinger, Smith, Singh, and Teslow to our MMC family,” said Joey Peay, CEO of MMC. “Their skill and dedication strengthen our ability to provide exceptional, integrated care to the growing Rutherford County community.” For appointment information or to learn more about MMC’s physicians and services, visit www.mmclinic.com. About Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter (MMC) is a physician-owned, multi-specialty clinic serving the Middle Tennessee region. MMC’s mission is to provide high-quality, cost-effective healthcare with compassion and respect. With more than 100 physicians across 20 specialties, MMC offers comprehensive care for the whole family at locations throughout Rutherford County.

UnitedHealthcare TennCare Coverage Ending December 31, 2025 Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter (MMC) is committed to providing high-quality care and helping your family navigate insurance changes as smoothly as possible. We want to make you aware of an important update to our TennCare participation with UnitedHealthCare Community Plan (UHC TennCare). What is changing? MMC will no longer be in network with UHC TennCare starting January 1, 2026. This means patients with UHCTenncare will need to switch to a different TennCare Managed Care Organization (MCO) if they wish to continue seeing their MMC physician in 2026. Why is this happening? Over the past several months, MMC has been in active discussions with UnitedHealthcare to renegotiate contract rates. These rates have fallen below current market levels, and despite our best efforts, negotiations have stalled. As a result, we made the difficult decision to end our commercial contract with UnitedHealthcare effective March 1, 2026. Separately, our contract with UHC Tenncare requires termination on December 31, 2025. Unfortunately, although we offered to extend the contract to align with the Open Enrollment date for Middle Tennessee—May 2026, UHC Tenncare declined. We are sharing this information so families have time to choose a new plan and avoid disruptions in care. What do I need to do now? If you are currently enrolled in UHC TennCare, you will need to choose a different TennCare MCO to remain in network with your MMC physician. In addition to UHC, TennCare offers the following MCO options: BlueCare (BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee) Wellpoint/Amerigroup Changing your TennCare plan is easy . You may change your MCO by: Calling TennCare Connect: 855-259-0707 Visiting: TennCareConnect.tn.gov Updating your plan through your online TennCare account. When changing plans, you can select your current MMC physician as the Primary Care Provider (PCP) When should I take Action? We recommend making your MCO selection as soon as possible to prevent any lapse in overage or unexpected out-of-network charges beginning January 1, 2026. While open enrollment for TennCare plans does not occur until May of 2026, they do allow changes in the following circumstances: During a 90-day new enrollment window If you qualify for a hardship What counts as a hardship? From TennCare: Your doctor or specialist is no longer covered by the plan. Your provider relationship is disrupted. How to ask for a hardship consideration when contacting TennCare: “I am requesting a special enrollment exception because my current doctor, who manages my ongoing care, is not in network with my assigned TennCare plan. This creates a significant hardship for me, as there are very few in-network providers in Middle Tennessee who can offer the same level of consistent care. Changing plans outside of open enrollment is medically necessary for me to continue receiving the treatment I need. I respectfully ask for approval to change plans so I can continue care with my established physician.” If TennCare denies the change, you have the right to appeal. In your appeal, explain why you need to switch (provider doesn’t accept your current plan). You can ask for help from a TennCare advocate or a community health navigator/legal aid, especially if you are having difficulty. Key Tips • Be Persistent: Bureaucracy can be slow. Call, follow up, and document all communications (who you spoke with and when)

When I first heard the words “ you have cancer ”, I felt my world stop. My husband held my hand and said, “ It’s going to be all right. We can do this together. ” From that moment, I knew I wasn’t walking this road alone. I leaned on my family, my three sisters, my church, my coworkers, and my school community. As a teacher assistant, I gathered the teachers I worked with, told them about my diagnosis, and walked out of the room. They were stunned, but immediately surrounded me with prayer and support. That encouragement carried me through. My first surgery was in November 2024, but when Dr. Dunlap said they hadn’t gotten it all, I didn’t hesitate. I said, “ If another surgery will get rid of it, let’s do it. ” In January 2025, I had my second surgery, and this time Dr. Dunlap said, “ We got it all .” I followed with 15 days of radiation. What could have been a lonely and frightening time turned into something different for me. My husband, sisters, nieces, and even friends took turns driving me from Shelbyville to Murfreesboro for treatment. We laughed, we talked, and it became a family affair. My last day of radiation was also my birthday, and a dear friend drove me, celebrated with me, and made the day unforgettable. Through it all, I never felt alone. My church prayed for me, my family surrounded me, and my coworkers stood by me. That support gave me the strength to keep going. My cancer wasn’t found on a mammogram. I had felt a lump for a while, but it didn’t hurt, so I ignored it. It was the staff of the Comprehensive Breast Center at Murfreesboro Medical clinic who encouraged me to get it checked and Dr. Dunlap performed a biopsy. I’m so grateful I listened, because early action saved my life. Today, I’m cancer-free. I continue follow-up visits every six months, and I take a daily medication as part of my treatment plan. Everyone’s journey looks different, but mine taught me the power of listening to your body and leaning on the people who love you. If I can share one message, it’s this: Don’t ignore changes in your body. Speak up, ask questions, and lean on your support system. With faith, family, great doctors and community, you can get through anything.

"As a nurse with years of experience in high-acuity settings, including the Burn ICU at Vanderbilt, I know the importance of skilled, compassionate care. When I was diagnosed with a thyroid nodule, I was intentional about finding the right physician. After asking my primary care provider for recommendations, I was referred to Dr. Caplin. I did my research and was encouraged to see that she had trained under Dr. Netherton at Vanderbilt. That alone gave me confidence. I knew I was in good hands. From the very first appointment in 2022, I felt welcomed and heard. The entire team promoted a strong patient-first approach, and Dr. Caplin had a clear plan in place after my follow-up scan. The turnaround was quick. My procedure was scheduled for February, just weeks after my January scan. I underwent both radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and ethanol ablation on February 28. During the procedure, they let me play my own music and made sure I was comfortable throughout. While I experienced some discomfort, the team’s responsiveness made all the difference. I was able to communicate, and they adjusted in real time. Three months later, my follow-up showed the nodule had shrunk by 77 percent, and there is still potential for further reduction. I hadn’t even realized how much the nodule had been affecting me—changing how I ate, making me choke more often. Now, my quality of life has significantly improved. I describe the whole experience as carefree. If I had to do it again, I would, without hesitation. I live in Murfreesboro and work as a clinical educator for Marian University while pursuing my Doctor of Education in Nursing. I’m so grateful for Dr. Caplin and her team at MMC. I truly believe that care like this should be the standard." -Hillary Sexton, RFA Patient of Dr. Caplin

Learn more about how Dr. Hunter Arnaud completed First Inspire® Therapy Procedure at Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter

Join us in welcoming our six new physicians at Murfreesboro Medical Clinic

The Chrystal Scholarship Opportunity at MMC.

Read more about MMC Hearts & Hands Employee Committee donates $12,516.99

Important Statement About Potential Billing Delays