Top Stories

At Ballad Health, continuous learning and development are essential to building a strong, prepared and collaborative workforce. That’s where our Organizational Development department comes in. Led by Aaron Rice, system director, the OD department is focused on equipping every team member – from new hires to seasoned leaders – with the tools, resources and skills they need to thrive. The department oversees several key areas: new team member orientation, administration of our HealthStream learning management system (LMS), nonclinical training, and leadership development programs. Whether you’re attending your first day of orientation or taking part in a leadership coaching session, chances are the OD team is involved and supporting your journey. The OD team also plays a key role in advancing our B Excellent journey, helping to embed our culture of excellence through training and development programs that empower team members to perform at their best. In addition, the team brings extensive audiovisual and production expertise…

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Ballad Health received a $20,000 grant from the East Tennessee Foundation’s Dr. J.G. Hawkins Memorial Fund that will assist Greene County residents with transportation obstacles in accessing healthcare services. The grant will help fund cab vouchers, public transportation passes, ride-sharing services and rides sponsored by human service agencies for Greene County residents who need transportation for doctor’s appointments or other healthcare services. “Transportation can be a huge barrier for individuals who are simply trying to make it to an appointment, so this grant will help those who can’t afford reliable transportation,” said Dr. Paula Masters, chief health disparities officer for Ballad Health. “We don’t want anyone in the Appalachian Highlands to miss an appointment or delay necessary care because they can’t find a ride, so grants like this are important to ensure everyone has the same opportunities to receive the care they need and deserve.” The grant will be distributed over a…

Community Health Improvement Week celebrates the people who go above and beyond to lift up others and strengthen the communities they serve. To bring some awareness, here are stories from three team members, highlighting programs Ballad Health provides and supports to help people in various ways – ultimately improving their health. Strong Starts program Becky Artrip, a community health navigator with Ballad Health’s Strong Starts, connected with her client right as her family hit rock bottom. Just as the client received custody of her fourth grandchild, her husband suffered an injury that left him unable to work the job that provided for their family for 30 years. They lost their income, their health insurance and, eventually, their home. At the same time, the client’s youngest grandchild began having seizures, requiring ongoing medical care. Homeless and hopeless, the family of six was drowning and needed help. Becky began by helping the grandfather secure a new job….

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! This month, instead of spotlighting a particular bug, we’re offering team members an Infection Prevention 101 crossword puzzle! This will be emailed out to most team members from their local infection preventionist — as an attachment in the email — so it can be printed out, filled in and then submitted to the infection preventionist. The puzzle can also be printed out from this article (see below, and you can access as a PDF) and filled out, then returned to the nearest infection preventionist. If you’re unable to print the puzzle, please reach out to your local infection…

Investment in cancer care grows unique services in region JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – In an ongoing commitment to increase access to quality oncology and hematology services in the Appalachian Highlands, Ballad Health celebrated the grand opening of the newly expanded Ballad Health Cancer Care – Johnson City, enabling the health system to offer its high-quality cancer treatment and hematology services to even more patients. The completed expansion adds 11 exam rooms, three new physician offices and two new chemotherapy wings complete with six private rooms and 32 infusion chairs. The expansion also adds more room in the registration area, the infusion center and the in-house pharmacy, broadening the services available to patients battling cancer or needing infusion services. “We’re so proud to welcome our patients to our clinic, and we want our patients and their families to know that every decision was made with their experience in mind,” said Brad Price, senior vice president of…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Ballad Health has selected Molly Luton as its new Chief Strategic Communications Officer, a key leadership role responsible for all strategic communications, communications strategy and public affairs communications. Leading the strategic communications function, Luton will oversee system media relations and coordinate public policy messaging to ensure accurate communications with the public and other interested stakeholders. “Molly has consistently demonstrated excellence in strategic leadership, crisis communication and brand development throughout her career,” said Julie Bennett, Ballad Health Chief Legal and Governance Officer. “Her deep knowledge of the Appalachian Highlands and the healthcare landscape, combined with her national reputation and decades of experience, make her uniquely qualified to guide our communications at the highest level.” Luton brings nearly 20 years of healthcare marketing and communications experience, most recently serving as Ballad Health’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. She has led communications during system-defining moments, including two health system mergers, four hospital builds, and…

ERWIN, Tenn. — After Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding and major losses in the region last fall, Ballad Health has stepped in to support Unicoi County Emergency Medical Services by donating four new Zoll cardiac monitor/defibrillators. The monitors were presented to Unicoi County EMS on Friday during a ceremony at Ballad Health’s Advanced Urgent Care Clinic in Erwin. The donated equipment, valued at nearly $200,000, replaces important monitors lost during the storm and helps in the effort to fully restore emergency response capabilities for the county. “Ballad Health is proud to support our EMS partners as they continue to recover and serve their community,” said Anita Perry, corporate director of trauma services at Ballad Health. “These monitors are a vital part of the care they provide in emergencies.” Ballad Health also donated monitors to Unicoi County EMS in 2021. This new gift shows the healthcare system’s ongoing commitment to local first responders. “We’ve been working…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Marsh Regional Blood Center invites residents of the Appalachian Highlands to donate blood or platelets on Friday, June 13, as a part of World Blood Donor Day, joining organizations around the world to honor blood donors and spread awareness of the importance of regular donation. Since 2005, the World Health Organization has celebrated World Blood Donor Day – an international celebration of the world’s blood donors that raises awareness of the importance of donating blood and blood products. The day highlights the importance of regular donation to sustain a lifesaving supply of blood and blood products, such as plasma and platelets. For Marsh Regional, World Blood Donor Day marks an opportunity to spread the word about the benefits of blood and blood product donations. All donors who give during World Blood Donor Day will earn a T-shirt. “Blood donors save millions of lives around the world every year, and the Appalachian Highlands…

NOTE: This advisory was released at 4:50 p.m. on Thursday, June 5. JOHNSON CITY — All hospital services have resumed normal operations at Johnson City Medical Center after a brief power outage impacted the ability to maintain cold air in the building on Thursday morning. The cooling units have been repaired and temperatures throughout the building are returning to normal. Thanks to the quick work of our facilities team and support partners, cooling has been fully restored across Johnson City Medical Center. Johnson City Medical Center had established Incident Command and implemented emergency protocols to ensure the continued safety and comfort of our patients and team members. The Incident Command has been closed. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our team, patients and visitors during this temporary disruption, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped ensure safe care during the outage. We’re also grateful for the swift response of Brightridge and the utility crews…

NOTE: This advisory was released at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 5. This morning, Johnson City Medical Center (JCMC) experienced a brief power outage and subsequently impacted the ability to maintain cold air in the building. The cooling units are currently being repaired. Despite this impact, all patients currently at Johnson City Medical Center will continue to have full clinical services available to them. However, out of an abundance of caution, the hospital will only be performing emergency procedures until the cooling units can be repaired. Johnson City Medical Center will only be accepting transfers that are trauma, stroke, and require the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from other facilities. Johnson City Medical Center has established Incident Command and implemented emergency protocols to ensure the continued safety and comfort of our patients and team members. To preserve resources and maintain a safe care environment, we respectfully ask that family members and visitors do not come…

Here are some of our latest clinicians to join Ballad Health; be on the lookout for more announcements in the coming weeks! WeiQian ‘Daphne’ Coates, FNP-BC, joins Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute – Kingsport KINGSPORT, Tenn. – WeiQian “Daphne” Coates, FNP-BC, has joined Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute – Kingsport, specializing in cardiology. Coates offers a broad range of services and treatments, including management of care for acute and chronic heart conditions, evaluation of watchman procedures, management of cardiovascular risk factors, management of heart failure, management of valvular disorders, preoperative and postoperative care for cardiac procedures, rhythm management and treatment planning for cardiac conditions. “I believe patients should be actively involved in their care,” Coates said. “I see my role as a provider not only as someone who treats illness but also as an educator who empowers patients with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their health. By fostering patient engagement and shared…

As a reminder, team members can get some great benefits by using Ballad Health Pharmacy! Check out the advantages below, and you can also help us out by doing a quick, online survey so we can learn how we can better serve our team member workforce. (The survey is only one page and takes about three minutes to complete.) Take our Ballad Health Pharmacy survey. Ballad Health Pharmacy benefits Team members and covered dependents are eligible for multiple benefits and discounts at Ballad Health Pharmacy, including: Diabetes program – If you are enrolled in Ballad Health’s diabetes program, you can receive certain medications such as insulin, Rybelsus, Jardiance and Ozempic for free. Preventive medications – If you have a Ballad Health insurance plan, you can also receive free preventive medications. The list includes medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, asthma, COPD and much more – including inhalers such as Symbicort, Advair, Breo and Combivent; and brand-name…

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Ballad Health announced the inaugural class of Ballad Health Academy during a signing day ceremony Monday at Greeneville High School. The signing day – held on the first day of National Nurses Week – was the launch of a milestone series of events celebrating high school students committing to a transformative educational journey toward a career in healthcare. Signing celebrations, designed to honor and spotlight students’ commitment – similar to a collegiate athlete signing day – will also be held at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Elizabethton High School, Tennessee High School in Bristol, Sullivan East High School in Bluff City, West Ridge High School in Blountville and Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport throughout the week of May 5. Ballad Health Academy is a free visionary high school medical training program that will provide students with job experience and dual-enrollment courses – powered by the Tennessee College of Applied Technology…

BRISTOL, Va. — Ballad Health has enhanced access to preventive breast cancer screening services to rural communities with a new, 3D mobile mammogram unit. The unit, which hit the road in 2024, provides 3D mammograms to patients regardless of their insurance status. Funded through a partnership between Ballad Health Foundation, United Company Foundation and Mission Mobile Medical, the unit travels around the region to provide mammograms to underserved communities or women who might not otherwise have access to a mammogram. “More than 3,500 patients have been served by mobile mammography in less than three years, and there have been more than 300 detections in that same time period,” said Dr. Paula Masters, chief health disparities officer at Ballad Health. “That’s proof that mobile mammography saves lives, and now we’re able to provide the latest and greatest technology anywhere in the Appalachian Highlands thanks to our incredible partners and dedicated community members.” The 3D mammography unit…

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. — Ballad Health is offering comprehensive, hands-on phlebotomy training through a new program that will provide a path to a career in healthcare. The Ballad Health Phlebotomy Program will offer free phlebotomy training, including hands-on experience, at the Ballad Health Training Center in Blountville. The program includes 52 hours of classroom training and 100 hours of experience in a clinical setting in exchange for a 12-month service agreement as a phlebotomist at any Ballad Health facility. The program offers free classroom training plus experience in a clinical setting, in exchange for a 12-month service agreement as a phlebotomist at any Ballad Health facility. “This program will be a great way to strengthen our phlebotomy pipeline in the Appalachian Highlands,” said Leslee Collins, system director for Ballad Health’s clinical education. “What makes our program special is that we fulfill not only classroom requirements, but the clinical requirements needed to complete the national phlebotomy certification exam,…

Here are some of our latest clinicians to join Ballad Health; be on the lookout for more announcements in the coming weeks! Miriam Culbertson, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, joins Ballad Health Cancer Care in Abingdon and Marion ABINGDON, Va. – Miriam Culbertson, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, has joined Ballad Health Cancer Care in Abingdon and Marion, specializing in oncology. Culbertson offers a broad range of services and treatments, including anticipatory guidance, diagnosis, education and hematology. “I listen with empathy and take a compassionate, patient-centered approach to care,” Culbertson said. “Active listening allows me to understand the full picture of someone’s health and wellness. I always strive to treat my patients the way I would want to be treated.” Culbertson earned degrees from King University in Bristol and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and is board-certified as a family nurse practitioner. She is also a member of the American Nurses Association. Culbertson is accepting new patients at…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — Holston Valley Medical Center is the first hospital in East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and Southeast Kentucky to offer innovative new procedures for repairing and replacing the tricuspid valve without the need for open-heart surgery. This includes the use of the Abbott TriClip™ transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system — a minimally invasive therapy designed to treat patients suffering from tricuspid regurgitation (TR), a condition caused by a leaky tricuspid valve. TriClip is a first-of-its-kind therapy that repairs the tricuspid valve and has been clinically proven to be safe, effective and beneficial in improving patients’ quality of life. Delivered to the heart through a catheter inserted via the femoral vein in the leg, TriClip works by clipping together a portion of the valve’s leaflets to reduce the backflow of blood. This minimally invasive approach, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2024, allows the heart to pump blood more efficiently, alleviating the…