Care That Connects
At Ridge & River Medicine, our mission is simple: to restore personal connection and trust in primary care. We’re a two-person team offering thoughtful, accessible medical care in Chattanooga, built around lasting relationships and free from insurance red tape.
Why We Started Ridge & River
After years working in hospital systems and primary care clinics, Dr. Joe Furr saw how the traditional healthcare model too often left patients feeling rushed, confused, or overlooked. Appointments were short, bills were unclear, and care was fragmented. He wanted something better for his patients and for his own calling as a physician.
Ridge & River Medicine was created as a direct primary care (DPC) clinic to return to the roots of comprehensive care: trusted physician-patient partnerships. Our name reflects the natural flow and groundedness we hope to bring to every visit; the practice reflects a shared commitment to healthcare that is proactive and personalized to you.
We are here to serve the Chattanooga community with a simpler model: one monthly fee, extended visit times, direct communication with your physician, and so much more. No insurance barriers. No surprise bills. Just care that centers on you.
Our Care Philosophy: Personal. Transparent. Thoughtful.
We believe the best care happens when your doctor knows your story, your health history, and what matters most to you. That’s why we've intentionally created a small, independent practice that allows us to:
Build genuine relationships with our patients
Offer longer visits that support real conversations
Provide accessible, affordable care without insurance limitations
Focus on prevention, lifestyle, and chronic disease management
Create a calm, welcoming environment grounded in respect
We’re here to walk with you over time. Our model is designed to keep you healthy, not just respond when something goes wrong. This is medicine the way it should be.
Meet Your Care Team
Dr. Joe Furr
Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician & Co-Founder
Dr. Joe Furr, Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician & Co-Founder
With extensive experience in hospital and outpatient settings, Dr. Joe Furr brings deep clinical knowledge and a calm, patient-centered presence to every visit. After training in Chattanooga and working throughout Mississippi and Tennessee, he saw firsthand how traditional systems failed to deliver the kind of care patients truly need.
At Ridge & River, Dr. Furr focuses on relationship-based medicine, getting to know the person behind the patient. He cares for the entire patient, treating each individual with the same warmth and dedication he’d show his own family. Whether navigating chronic illness, celebrating a health win, or just needing a physician who truly listens, Dr. Furr is here for you.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Furr is an avid hobbyist with an eclectic range of interests, from progressive metal drumming to coin collecting to constructing massive Lego sets with his child, Max. He is also a lifelong history enthusiast and is currently writing a book on Chattanooga’s 1878 yellow fever epidemic. He lives in North Chattanooga with Max and his wife, Alex.
Alex Furr
Practice Manager & Co-Founder
Alex brings a rare blend of logistical precision, warmth, and advocacy to her role as Ridge & River’s practice manager. Her background in clinical administration, outpatient lab support, and academic research gives her a deep understanding of how medical systems work and where patients often get stuck.
She’s passionate about eliminating red tape and creating an experience that feels personal from start to finish. As practice manager, Alex ensures your membership experience is straightforward, respectful, and supportive. Her approach reflects a shared belief with Dr. Furr: that medicine should be accessible, dignified, and grounded in genuine care.
Alex holds a degree in ancient Greek and Latin languages, with a strong personal interest in historiography and etymology. In her spare time, she enjoys studying languages, dabbling in fiber arts and crafting, and playing Dungeons & Dragons. She lives in North Chattanooga with Joe, Max, two dogs, a cat, and Max's pet snake, Coco.