Dr. Chris Beckman was the last physician left on MTMC’s old campus in downtown Murfreesboro. He will open a new office Monday on Highland Avenue. (Photo by M. Hudgins)

Amid boxes of patient files and supplies, Dr. Chris Beckman and his staff cared for patients during the last days inside the office at James R. Arnhart Medical Arts Building on Middle Tennessee Medical Center’s former campus.

The Arnhart building has served the local community for some 26 years, according to hospital officials. Razing the Arnhart building was part of the original plan and should be complete in mid-December. DemoPlus expects the project to last about two days.

Beckman’s move could be viewed as symbolic – the doctor was born in MTMC’s original hospital, and he now stands by its side as the last physician to leave the medical complex.

He says the decision to raze the hospital’s campus along North Highland Avenue leaves him with mixed emotions.

“I can understand it, and I don’t want the building to sit there and go into disrepair,” Beckman said, adding, “It’s still sad to see it gone.”

While Beckman Family Medical is leaving the Arnhart building, it is only moving a few blocks away; Beckman will reopen his practice at 520 Highland Terrance on Monday morning.

“I certainly don’t plan on going anywhere,” he affirmed. “I’m here for the long haul.”

His decision to remain nearby reaffirms Beckman’s commitment to the patients. His family has been deeply seeded in the medical community for more than four decades – his parents opened Beckman’s Pharmacy where his mother and brother are still pharmacists, and his sister is a pediatrician in town.

“I think the fact that we’re not moving too far away… it’s been positive,” Beckman said of patients’ feedback. “Most are pleased that we are staying in the area. And for our practice, it’s not necessary to be on (the Medical Center Parkway) side of town.”

He stressed patients will still be able to pull up and park near the front door, which is especially convenient for the elderly.

“There is also a better design to the space… we custom designed it to fit our needs,” Beckman continued. “We’ve also increased the size, so it should flow better and work better for us and for patients. It’s always nice going into a new building.”

Beckman Family Medical opened in 2004 with a focus on offering patient-centered primary care services and providing the highest standard of care for families, according to a news release. Clinical providers at the practice include Chris Beckman, MD, Christie Arney, CNP, Debbie Boles, CNP, and Judy Lowe, CNP.

“The team continues to focus on preventative medicine as well as treating acute and chronic diseases,” the release states.

“Our goal is to prevent sickness and diseases when possible,” Beckman said. “Simple things like immunizations and healthy living goals can make a big difference in a persons quality of life. We take time to talk with our patients and understand their lifestyles to better treat them with a comprehensive, well-rounded approach.” 

Beckman Family Medical boasts extended office hours to work around patients’ busy lifestyles. The office is open from 7 a.m to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m to noon Saturdays.  

New patients age 6 and older are welcome at Beckman Family Medical, and most insurance is accepted.

More info ...
Call 615-893-8885 or visit beckmanfamilymedical.com
The new office is located off Highland Avenue just behind Terrace Pharmacy.