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Article summary The Wellness Center encourages team members to stay active with intentional movement during the holiday season. This can be done through a workout at the gym, or through simple, equipment-free exercises like squats, pushups, planks, lunges and step-ups that can be done anywhere. See a great 30-second instructional video below. Read the full article With the holiday season and colder weather upon us, it’s important to stay active – even if it’s in small doses. As a general rule, that takes intention, both in making sure you stay active and in choosing the right exercises. The staff at The Wellness Center in Johnson City wants team members to keep moving with intention throughout the holiday season. Even if you can’t make it to the fitness center, there are great ways to get in a workout at home, without any equipment. “While a full workout at the gym with all the equipment offers a…

Did you know there are more than 1,400 known species of human pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa? Each month, our Ballad Health infection prevention team is highlighting one of those pathogens that you might encounter in your work. See what you know, or can learn, about these “bugs” through our “Bug of the Month” series, and about how we can prevent spread! This month, we’re spotlighting a very important precaution — wearing gloves as per Ballad Health policy. It is crucial to know not just when to wear gloves, but when to change them. If you have questions or want more information, please reach out to your infection preventionist. Click here to see the flier below in PDF format.

NOTE: This message is from Ballad Health’s payroll department. Maybe it’s not exactly W2 time yet, but it is time to start preparing. You can help us ensure you get an accurate and timely W2 by logging onto the HR/PR Service Center(Employee Space) and taking a few minutes to do the following. Verify your Social Security Number. Making sure we have the correct Social Security Number ensures your wages are reported accurately. Verify your address. Making sure we have an accurate address ensures you get important information timely. Review your tax withholding. You may update your tax withholding via the HR/PR Service Center (Employee Space) at any time. Authorize eW2s. Authorizing your eW2 is a simple way to ensure you get your W2 as quickly as possible. You can access Employee Space to do these updates by going to Quick Links > HR & Payroll Service Center > My Profile; then go into Personal Information to update address…

Article summary Ballad Health is asking team members to complete a brief, optional and anonymous survey about their experience with the Ballad Teams mobile app. The survey is open Dec. 1-19, takes less than three minutes and aims to identify what’s working well, where improvements are needed and how team members prefer to receive information. Ballad Teams is a team member app with features like paycheck info, PTO, scheduling, discounts, news and support resources. Read the full article Communication is an essential part of making any job or project a success, and we’re always working to find better, more efficient ways to engage and communicate with team members across Ballad Health. As a result, we’re asking team members to take a brief survey about their experience with the Ballad Teams team member mobile app and other digital tools. We hope this survey helps us pinpoint what’s working well and where we can improve. Click here…

Article summary Ballad Health is recognizing Diabetes Awareness Month by launching a Safe Sharps disposal program to help people with diabetes safely discard needles, syringes and lancets used in daily care. Participating clinics now offer free sharps containers and no-cost disposal services, allowing individuals to return full containers and exchange them for new ones. The program requires the use of Ballad Health-provided containers and accepts drop-offs Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with containers limited to sharps used for diabetes care. Read the full article With November serving as Diabetes Awareness Month, Ballad Health is rolling out a new program designed to help people with diabetes – the Safe Sharps disposal program for used “sharps,” which are routinely used in diabetes care. About diabetes Diabetes occurs when someone’s blood sugar (glucose) is too high. It is a common condition that affects people of all ages. There are several types of diabetes, with Type…

The latest Ballad Health T-shirts are ready to be ordered! The shirts are available for purchase online at the Ballad Health Store, and can be pre-ordered starting Thursday, Nov. 20, at 8 a.m. Click here to visit the Ballad Health Store. Ballad Proud Collection shirts, along with other Ballad Health-branded apparel, are suitable for wearing to work on Fridays, as per our Ballad Health dress code policy. To access our dress code policy: Ballad Health intranet main page > Quick Links > Ballad Health Policies > Policy Manager > Search for Dress Code – Personal Appearance. Order and delivery To view the new shirts or place an order, visit the Ballad Health Store at www.balladhealth.store, accessible from any device. (The online store can be accessed through the Ballad Health intranet under “Quick Links,” but the site itself is not located on the intranet). The cost for the Ballad Health T-shirts is $17 (plus tax), which includes shipping…

Niswonger Family Radiation Treatment Center is now treating patients with a state-of-the-art linear accelerator GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — Greeneville Community Hospital patients now have access to advanced cancer treatment technology in Greene County, thanks to a $1 million gift from the Niswonger family and a significant capital investment by Ballad Health. The newly operational TrueBeam linear accelerator at the Niswonger Family Radiation Treatment Center began serving patients in September, bringing world-class radiation therapy close to home. The investment, made in honor of Dr. John Boys, the hospital’s radiation oncologist for the past 30 years, enhances the hospital’s oncology services and provides state-of-the-art equipment for local cancer patients. The Niswonger family’s generous contribution, combined with Ballad Health’s capital commitment, makes advanced cancer care accessible to Greene County residents without requiring travel to distant treatment centers. “The Niswongers’ commitment to our region’s health and well-being continues to transform patient care,” said Alan Levine, chairman and chief executive officer…

Published review highlights Ballad Health as an example of success in sustaining rural healthcare access against backdrop of worsening national shortages JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – An independent review and publication by national healthcare consulting firm PYA found that Ballad Health has made progress in recruiting and retaining medical providers systemwide, even as national healthcare workforce data show worsening shortages. The firm was so compelled by Ballad Health’s success that it developed a national case study and white paper, Sustaining Access in Rural Communities: A Proven Model for Provider Needs Assessment, to help other rural systems learn from Ballad Health’s approach. The independent review and publication supports findings by the State of Tennessee and the Commonwealth of Virginia over multiple years that Ballad Health has created a public advantage through enhanced access to care – something not likely to have happened but for the merger creating Ballad Health.  Prior to the merger creating Ballad Health in…

Ballad Health has selected Rebecca Hoover, PharmD, MBA, BCPS to serve as interim associate vice president of pharmacy, effective immediately. The appointment comes as the health system actively recruits for a permanent leader in the role. Hoover brings more than 20 years of progressive pharmacy leadership experience to the position, currently serving as regional director of pharmacy services for Ballad Health’s Northern Region, where she manages nine hospital pharmacy locations across Tennessee and Virginia. Building on proven expertise Throughout her tenure with Ballad Health, Hoover has demonstrated exceptional skill in managing complex pharmacy operations while maintaining rigorous compliance with The Joint Commission medication management standards and all federal and state regulatory requirements. Her work has focused on several key areas that directly impact patient safety and operational excellence. She has implemented robust diversion prevention programs and controlled substance management protocols that strengthen patient safety across the system. Additionally, Hoover played an instrumental role in developing…

Ballad Health has selected Elizabeth Jackson, MD, an accomplished general surgeon and physician leader, to serve as chief medical officer (CMO) of Johnson City Medical Center. Dr. Jackson will officially begin her new role on Dec. 8. Dr. Jackson has served as chief medical officer for Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital for the past four years, while also serving as medical director of surgical services at Ballad Health and as chairperson of the Ballad Health Clinical Council. In subsequent CMO moves: Jesse Sulzer, MD, chief medical officer for Johnston Memorial Hospital, will serve as interim chief medical officer for Holston Valley and Indian Path. Jamie Bartley, DO, chief medical officer at Bristol Regional Medical Center, has been named interim CMO for Smyth County Community Hospital and Russell County Hospital. Dr. Elizabeth Jackson Dr. Jackson is a graduate of Milligan College and earned her medical degree from East Tennessee State University Quillen…

Ballad Health has taken a significant step toward improving patient safety by implementing the Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety (TIPS) Fall Prevention Program, a nationally recognized initiative designed to reduce the risk of patient falls during hospital stays. The program starts on Friday, Nov. 10. Falls are one of the most common and costly safety incidents in hospitals nationwide. By using the TIPS program on our adult inpatient population, patients and team members are empowered to work together, making fall prevention an active and ongoing process. About the program The TIPS program combines evidence-based strategies with clear, patient-centered communication to help both team members and patients actively participate in fall prevention. At the heart of the initiative is a personalized fall prevention plan for each patient, which is developed through collaboration between team members, patients, and families. The plan identifies an individual’s unique fall risks – such as mobility challenges, medication side effects and dizziness…

NOTE: This message is from Ballad Health’s payroll department. Maybe it’s not exactly W2 time yet, but it is time to start preparing. You can help us ensure you get an accurate and timely W2 by logging onto the HR/PR Service Center(Employee Space) and taking a few minutes to do the following. Verify your Social Security Number. Making sure we have the correct Social Security Number ensures your wages are reported accurately. Verify your address. Making sure we have an accurate address ensures you get important information timely. Review your tax withholding. You may update your tax withholding via the HR/PR Service Center (Employee Space) at any time. Authorize eW2s. Authorizing your eW2 is a simple way to ensure you get your W2 as quickly as possible. You can access Employee Space to do these updates by going to Quick Links > HR & Payroll Service Center > My Profile; then go into Personal Information to update address…

NOTE: To view this newsletter in PDF format, click here. A message from Dr. Lisa Smithgall As a rural health system – like many others across the nation – Ballad Health has experienced a higher vacancy rate among licensed nurses due to the ongoing shortage and the lasting impact of the pandemic in our region. New graduate RNs and LPNs represent the largest segment of licensed nursing hires at Ballad Health each year. Over the past three completed fiscal years, we have hired an average of 318 RN graduates annually, which is consistent with our pre-pandemic hiring levels. However, regional academic nursing programs have seen a decline in enrollment, with18% fewer graduates available this year compared to 2019, before the pandemic. Ballad Health’s ability to maintain – and even increase – the number of new nurse graduates choosing to work here, despite the regional decline in available graduates, is a significant factor in reducing our…