Top Stories

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, or something important in how we deal with 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 one we’ve all heard of — measles. This highly contagious virus lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. If you have questions or want more information, please reach out to your infection preventionist.

BRISTOL – Ballad Health team members once again can get a good deal on tickets to the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, set for Sept. 11-13 in downtown Bristol. By using the code BALLAD45 when purchasing tickets online, team members can save $45 on the cost of a three-day, general admission ticket package. The discount is good until midnight on Sept. 10. Click here to purchase tickets. Headliners for this year’s festival include St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Sierra Ferrell, Old Crow Medicine Show and Los Lobos. Ballad Health is once again a sponsor for the Rhythm & Roots Reunion. For more information about the festival, including music lineup and FAQs, visit https://bristolrhythm.com/.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – As a reminder, Ballad Health team members can once again take advantage of a special discount for all Crazy 8s events, taking place Saturday, July 18. Ballad Health team members and their family members are eligible for a 50% discount for the following events: To get the discount, use the code BALLADC8 when registering online. The deadline to use the discount code is July 17; the discount code is not applicable for race-day registration. Click here to access registration and for more details on the events. The Ballad Health Crazy 8s, organized by We Run Events, is an award-winning road race known internationally for its fast fields and festive nighttime atmosphere. It is known as “the world’s fastest 8K.” This year, it will serve as the USATF National Men’s and Women’s 8K Road Championship. Ballad Health and the Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network are proud title sponsors and longtime partners of the event.

Thousands of Ballad Health team members use the Ballad Teams mobile app, designed specifically for them. The app offers important system news and easy access to a range of useful resources, such as your pay statements, PTO balance, team member discounts, IT support, benefits and a link to log into Smart Square scheduling – all right from your phone. We continue to add new features to the Ballad Teams mobile app. Check out some of the latest updates: If you don’t have Ballad Teams downloaded to your phone, or if you’ve changed phones or lost access, here’s a quick guide on how to reinstall it. Ballad Teams is free and available exclusively to Ballad Health team members. If you have questions or problems with the app, reach out to balladteams@balladhealth.org. FAQs

Ballad Health is implementing a new large-volume infusion pump, the Baxter Spectrum IQ LVP, and the Novum IQ syringe across the health system to support standardized and consistent patient care at all facilities. Implementation will occur in phases, with all Ballad Health facilities transitioning to a new pump as part of this systemwide initiative. Key information: Infusion pumps are an important part of how we provide patient care. They are used to deliver fluids and medications – such as saline solution, antibiotics or nutritional support – at a controlled rate, typically through an IV line. Large-volume pumps can deliver greater amounts of fluid over extended periods of time. Thank you for your attention and participation as we implement this important systemwide transition. Your participation in training will help ensure a smooth and successful rollout across Ballad Health. For questions or more information, please contact Tasha Kyker at tasha.kyker@balladhealth.org.

Jerry Caldwell, Eddie Neely, Dr. Jennifer Whittington and Greg Perdue bring decades of leadership in business, healthcare and community service JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Ballad Health Board of Directors has elected Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway, and Eddie Neely, recently retired chief financial officer of K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City), as its newest members, adding two accomplished business leaders with deep roots in the Appalachian Highlands. Caldwell succeeds board member Scott Niswonger, while Neely succeeds David Lester, both of whom are concluding long, distinguished terms of service. Dr. Jennifer Whittington and Greg Perdue have been elected to the Ballad Health Foundation Board, further strengthening the foundation’s leadership as it advances philanthropy and community investment across the Appalachian Highlands. “Strong community leadership has always been one of Ballad Health’s greatest assets,” said Alan Levine, chairman and CEO of Ballad Health. “Each of these great leaders brings exceptional professional…

Accredited programs demonstrate measurable impact, including a 28% reduction in preventable inpatient utilization and a 56% increase in appropriate care JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health’s community health worker programs, which help patients access appropriate care sooner and avoid unnecessary hospital visits, have earned accreditation from the Tennessee Community Health Worker Association (TNCHWA) in partnership with the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The accreditation covers four Ballad Health programs — the Appalachian Highlands Care Network, PEERhelp, SBIRT and Strong Starts — that have helped support the medical and social needs of more than 40,000 people across the Appalachian Highlands. Each program connects with people in their own communities, in clinical and community settings. These programs support individuals facing barriers such as transportation, food access and lack of insurance. From helping a parent get to a prenatal appointment to connecting someone in recovery with support or ensuring a neighbor has food and stable housing, community health…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Ballad Health Medical Associates OB/GYN and Women’s Health – Kingsport, a department of Indian Path Community Hospital, is welcoming two physicians – Darlene Fogg, MD, and Kathleen Foster, MD – and two family nurse practitioners – Katie Sharrett, FNP-BC, and Rosa Jones, FNP-BC – who will provide comprehensive obstetric and gynecologic care for women in Kingsport and the surrounding region. Dr. Fogg is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She earned her medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami, Florida, and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. “I always want to give the patient time to tell their story, and I like to make treatment decisions clear and easy to understand,” Dr. Fogg said. Drawn to women’s health during medical school, she values building long-term relationships with patients, from caring for women through different stages…

Marsh Regional Blood Center is experiencing a critical shortage of O-positive and O-negative blood types and is asking eligible donors to give this week. O-positive and O-negative blood are essential for emergency trauma care, surgeries and ongoing hospital needs across the region. O-negative is the universal donor type used when seconds matter and patient blood type is not yet known. To help increase donations, Marsh Regional is offering a $25 Food City gift card to all O-positive and O-negative donors who give through June 19. Donors are encouraged to visit any of Marsh’s three locations: Johnson City Kingsport Bristol Mobile locations Tuesday, June 16 Food City Wednesday, June 17 Johnson City Medical Center Hawkins County Memorial Hospital Thursday, June 18 Universal Fiber Systems Sycamore Shoals Hospital Food City Friday, June 19 Rehabilitation Hospital of Kingsport Ridgecrest Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Holston Health and Rehab Senior Living All donations directly support patients in hospitals served by…

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, or something important in how we deal with 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 external urinary catheters, which are placed on the skin rather than inside the bladder. If you have questions or want more information, please reach out to your infection preventionist.