The 1796 Podcast

“Driving all the way to Nashville for four hours can really get strenuous,” said Joel Edwards, a U.S. Army Infantry Veteran receiving oncology care at the Pointe Centre VA Clinic in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), nearly one-quarter of Veterans live in rural areas, where specialty care often requires extended travel. For years, that was the reality for many Veterans living in southeast Tennessee and northern Georgia who experienced long drives for cancer treatment, often repeated week after week.

Now, that routine is changing.

VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) designated the Pointe Centre VA Clinic in Chattanooga as a VA Close to Me cancer care site, becoming one of more than 30 VA medical centers nationwide to be selected for the expansion, bringing oncology services closer to where Veterans live while maintaining coordinated care within VA’s health care system.

Veterans face a higher risk of developing certain cancers due to exposures during military service, including Agent Orange and burn pits, which VA recognizes as linked to multiple presumptive cancers under the PACT Act. For many Veterans, that increased risk makes access to timely, coordinated care even more critical.

“Close to Me is designed to bring access to the Veterans in some of the smaller communities outside of Nashville and Murfreesboro where oncology services have traditionally been offered for Veterans,” said Whitney Worthy, a nurse practitioner at the clinic.

Prior to this expansion of care, Veterans in the Chattanooga region traveled up to three hours to the Nashville VA Medical Center or were referred to a community provider.

“It can be a lot on the Veteran to travel up to 60 minutes or more to an appointment once a week, or sometimes even twice a week,” said Kim Hughes, a registered nurse at the clinic. “What we are hoping to do is allow them to spend less time on the road and more time with their families, resting and recovering.”

For more than a year, Edwards made the long drives for treatment, always accompanied by his wife, Sandra Edwards.

“He used to have two or three appointments every week after the initial cancer surgery,” Sandra recalled. “It’s nice now not having to drive all over the place to get to his appointments.”

Since treating its first patient in December 2025, the clinic has already served more than 60 Veterans, saving over 25,000 miles in travel and significantly reducing the burden on Veterans and their families. By expanding specialty care and transitioning care back into VA, the program has also resulted in more than $50,000 in cost avoidance, allowing those resources to be further invested into Veteran care.

“Veterans in this area want to stay within the VA system,” said Worthy. “As far as continuity of care, having all your providers under one system is a big deal.”

Coordinating care across multiple providers and systems can be complex, particularly for patients undergoing frequent or specialized treatment. By keeping care within VA, providers can maintain greater continuity, ensuring Veterans receive consistent, connected care throughout their treatments.

Edwards said the difference has been noticeable, not just in traveling distance, but in how he feels day by day.

“Getting the infusion here has been no problem,” Edwards said. “I feel better and I don’t drag out of bed.”

Veterans navigating cancer treatment are often not doing it alone.

Caregivers and spouses like Sandra play a critical role in managing appointments, providing transportation, and offering support throughout each stage of care.

“I don’t want something to happen to him where he can’t drive home after his treatment,” Sandra said. “I don’t take that change, so I come with him every time”

Inside the clinic, the treatment experience is designed with both patients and caregivers in mind.

The clinic offers a smaller, more personalized setting. Infusion chairs offer heat and massage features, caregivers are encouraged to remain close by with their own comfortable seating, and appointments are coordinated to reduce time spent waiting and traveling. Together, those features help support both comfort and connection.

Sandra said staff walk both patients and caregivers through each step of the process.

“They will explain every step of the process with you just like they do to the patient getting treatment,” Sandra reassured.

Referring to the availability of care at the Pointe Centre VA Clinic, Edwards said, “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve always got good care at the VA.”

Veterans receiving care through VA TVHS can speak with their provider about whether the Close to Me program at the Pointe Centre VA Clinic is right for them.

Episode of the 1796 Podcast. This episode looks back on the events of 2023

Capt. Hall and Master Sgt. Hamm interviews Brig. Gen. Todd Wiles, Chief of Staff (Air), and Brig. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee National Guard's Adjutant General.

1796 Podcast pilot for Tennessee National Guard

The 1796 Podcast proof of concept

Interview with Lt. Col. Marlin "Marty" Malone who is retiring from the Tennessee Air National Guard after 33 years of service.

October 3rd Is the 30 year anniversary since the battle of Mogadishu in Somalia.

We will take a little history journey and talk about the conflicts that led to the battle, the events during the fighting, and we will also talk to a Tennessee Guardsmen that was on duty at the Mogadishu Airport that fateful day.

And, as always, check out our B.L.U.F. or Bottom Line Up Front news segment.

Join Co-Hosts Lt Col Malone, Captain Hall, and MSgt Hamm for interesting histories, evocative interviews, and relevant news.

It’s the 19th episode of The 1796 Podcast and we are extremely thrilled to be joined by some amazing guests.

First off… You will get to hear from Command Sergeant Major Dale Crockett, the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Tennessee National Guard. He’s going to tell us about leadership, mentorship, and let us know some of the emerging priorities from the top echelons of leadership.

We will also chat with Mr. James Saunders, the Integration Primary Prevention Officer. He will let us know what that is, what his team is working on, and about the importance of prevention in reference to personal well-being.

Join co-hosts Lt. Col. Marty Malone and Capt. Taylor Hall as they bring you inspiring interviews and exciting news from the Tennessee Military Department.

It’s the 18th episode of The 1796 Podcast and we are extremely thrilled to be in the European nation of Bulgaria for Thracian Sentry 23.

This month we come to you with several short interviews with Air and Army National Guard members, each one participating in the exercise titled Thracian Sentry 23.

Thracian Sentry served to highlight the 30-year-long partnership between the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense and the Tennessee National Guard.

And as global threats continue to multiply, Thracian Sentry demonstrated the Tennessee National Guard’s and the Air Force’s renewed focus on agile combat employment, also known as ACE.

ACE is a maneuver scheme designed to increase lethality, speed, and survivability in a combat scenario.

Join co-hosts Lt. Col. Marty Malone and Capt. Taylor Hall as they bring you inspiring interviews and exciting news from the Tennessee Military Department.

It’s the 17th episode of The 1796 Podcast and we are going to take a look at the ways Tennessee supported D-Day and WWII. We will hear from General Eisenhower from his address to the troops from the night Operation Overlord was to start. We tell you a little bit about the Tennessee Maneuvers and Patton’s Second Army. And we will also highlight some of the accomplishments of the 30th Infantry Division and the 117th Infantry Regiment.

It’s a special D-Day episode of The 1796 Podcast.

Join co-hosts Lt. Col. Marty Malone and Capt. Taylor Hall as they bring you inspiring interviews and exciting news from the Tennessee Military Department.