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Foundation

Boone McCrary, RN Memorial Scholarship fund raises more than $70,000 to support nursing students

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – When catastrophic flooding struck Greeneville, Boone McCrary, RN, answered the call to help – ultimately giving his life while rescuing others. Today, his legacy of compassion and bravery lives on through the Boone McCrary, RN Memorial Scholarship, which has raised $70,720 to support future nurses in our region. Established by the Ballad Health Foundation and funded by generous local donors and commemorative T-shirt sales, the scholarship honors Boone’s commitment to nursing as his second profession and his heroic sacrifice. Of the funds raised, $15,000 came from a private donor, with more than $55,000 generated through T-shirt sales designed to celebrate Boone’s life and service. The Boone McCrary, RN Memorial Scholarship provides full financial support for an Associate’s Degree in nursing, covering tuition, school-related expenses and an additional stipend (less any other scholarships or grants). To be eligible, applicants must live in the Appalachian Highlands and commit to working for Ballad Health after…

Foundation
System Updates
System Updates

Supporting your growth: Meet Ballad Health’s Organizational Development team

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…

System Updates
B Excellent
B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: Becoming challengers

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, June 17. Dear Colleague,  Every day, your dedication and teamwork shape the experience we create for each other and for those we serve. Progress isn’t always about big, sweeping changes; small, everyday efforts to listen, support and speak up can make a big difference over time. Thank you for being part of a culture that values growth and collaboration. Sometimes the best way to support your team is by respectfully challenging the status quo. When we feel safe to speak up and know our voices will be heard, real progress can happen. Great teams welcome new ideas, diverse perspectives and thoughtful conversations that push everyone forward. This Week’s Team Collaboration Tip Everyone Counts Tip #2: Becoming Challengers This week, we’re learning about what it means to be a “challenger” on your team – the kind of teammate who contributes thoughtful suggestions and…

B Excellent
System Updates
System Updates

Ballad Health receives Dr. J.G. Hawkins Memorial Fund grant to provide transportation assistance in Greene County

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…

System Updates
Foundation
Foundation

Reminder: Niswonger Children’s Network car raffle tickets on sale until June 19

The annual Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network car raffle is underway, sponsored by Champion Chevrolet Cadillac. The grand prize is a new car, while other winning tickets will be drawn for cash prizes of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000. Cost is $50 per ticket, with the winning tickets drawn on June 20. Team members can purchase a ticket using payroll deduction, as well as by credit card. Tickets are also on sale at Champion Chevrolet Cadillac in Johnson City. NOTE: The deadline for purchasing a ticket using payroll deduction is Thursday, June 12. Click here to purchase a ticket, either by credit card or payroll deduction. Your raffle ticket purchase supports a regional system of care that marks the next phase in high standards of healthcare and well-being – and the start of brighter futures for children across the Appalachian Highlands. Buy a ticket, change a life! First drawing for grand prize – Your choice of one…

Foundation
System Updates
System Updates

Community Health Improvement Week: Helping people get back on their feet

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….

System Updates
System Updates
System Updates

Bug of the Month for June is an Infection Prevention 101 crossword puzzle

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…

System Updates
B Excellent
B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: Creating a safe environment

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, June 10. Dear Colleague,  Thank you for your commitment to B Excellent. Your engagement is helping to build stronger, more connected and collaborative teams across Ballad Health. Last week, we wrapped up the Beyond the Work skill where we explored how support and care for one another strengthens our teams. If you’ve been staying on track with the Team Collaboration program, your overall completion percentage should now be 57%. To check your progress, click the Progress tab (lower right-hand corner on the Practicing Excellence app and upper right-hand corner of the desktop interface), and find the Team Collaboration program in the “Select Program” list. This week we begin a new skill: Everyone Counts. This skill is about building a culture where every team member feels seen, heard, and valued. A critical part of this is safety – both psychological and physical. When people feel safe…

B Excellent
System Updates
System Updates

Ballad Health Cancer Care – Johnson City celebrates grand opening of expanded clinic and infusion center

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…

System Updates
Team Member Kudos
Team Member Kudos

Jewel Tignor: Celebrating 50 years spent caring for others

ABINGDON, Va. – We are thrilled to celebrate Jewel Tignor’s extraordinary milestone: 50 years as a licensed practical nurse (LPN)! As she enters the “Golden Circle,” Jewel is part of the team at Ballad Health Medical Associates Interventional Pain Management of Abingdon. Jewel’s manager, Robin Miller, said, “When I think of the characteristics that define a truly exceptional nurse, a few come to mind: compassionate, caring, persistent, adaptable, dedicated, reliable, resilient, respectful, a team player – and someone who sees nursing not just as a job but as a true calling. Jewel is the epitome of all these qualities. “Every day, she brings joy to those around her with her contagious smile and unwavering positivity. She treats her patients like family and shows the same heartfelt care and support to her teammates. Her presence uplifts everyone fortunate enough to work beside her. “This milestone reflects not just years of service, but a lifetime of commitment…

Team Member Kudos
System Updates
System Updates

Ballad Health names Molly Luton as Chief Strategic Communications Officer

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…

System Updates
System Updates
System Updates

Ballad Health donates cardiac monitors to Unicoi County EMS after Hurricane Helene losses

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…

System Updates
System Updates
System Updates

Marsh Regional Blood Center invites blood donors to give in honor of World Blood Donor Day

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…

System Updates
HR & Benefits
HR & Benefits

Scholarship opportunities available for team members; lunch & learn session set for June 10

NOTE: This message was emailed from HR to all Ballad Health team members on Friday, June 6, 2025. Dear Colleague, Did you know that Ballad Health offers scholarship opportunities in certain clinical disciplines to help team members take the next step in their healthcare careers? Want to learn more? Call in or join our Microsoft Teams meeting on Tuesday, June 10, from noon to 12:30 p.m. Please find the meeting details below. If you are not able to join, feel free to email us at recruitment@balladhealth.org and we would be happy to assist you separately. We would love to help you advance your career at Ballad Health.

HR & Benefits
System Updates
System Updates

UPDATE: Hospital services resume normal operations after localized power outage at JCMC

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…

System Updates
System Updates
System Updates

ADVISORY:  Localized power outage impacts part of JCMC; patients remain safe and secure

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…

System Updates
B Excellent
B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: The impact of lending a hand

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, June 3. Dear Colleague,  Thank you for continuing to invest in the Team Collaboration program. When we each commit to showing up for one another, sharing ideas and supporting our coworkers, we create a workplace where everyone can thrive. Team Collaboration is about building trust, staying connected and making sure no one carries the load alone. Being a great teammate often means paying attention to the load that others are carrying. Sometimes, the most meaningful help we can offer is noticing when a coworker is overwhelmed and stepping in to lighten the load. A small offer of support at the right moment can build trust, boost morale and remind your teammates that they’re never alone. This Week’s Team Collaboration Tip Beyond the Work Tip #4: Lending a Hand This tip encourages us to be more observant and intentional. When you notice a…

B Excellent
System Updates
System Updates

Get to know more of our new clinicians across the system

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…

System Updates
B Excellent
B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: Building meaningful connections

Dear Colleague,  As we move ahead in our B Excellent journey, it’s a great time to pause and remember how much stronger we are when we genuinely enjoy being part of our teams. A positive team culture doesn’t happen by accident; it’s created and cultivated through consistent, meaningful connections – both in and beyond the workplace. This Week’s Team Collaboration Tips Beyond the Work Tip #3: Having Fun This tip reminds us that when teammates truly enjoy each other’s company, burnout becomes less likely and engagement increases. You’ll explore practical ways to bring people together through lighthearted, inclusive activities that help foster connection. Call to action: Brainstorm nonwork, fun activities your whole team can enjoy together. Examples include step challenges, 5K walk/runs, themed dress-up days or a community service project that brings people together outside of the daily routine. Ballad Health HRO: The Three A’s of Service Recovery In healthcare, service recovery moments matter. This tip…

B Excellent
Team Member Kudos
Team Member Kudos

Congratulations to our latest Ballad Health Aspiring Leader Program graduates!

The latest cohort of Ballad Health’s Aspiring Leader Program graduated recently. The program is administered by Organizational Development and helps develop introductory leadership skills for team members who aspire to become leaders or who show leadership potential at Ballad Health. Team members must be nominated for the class by a leader in the organization, and the program requires a participation commitment by the aspiring leaders and their supervisor. Congratulations to the latest graduating class! Josh Adkins Brittany Baker Kristin Bell Jenn Blanton Josh Borders Jordan Durbin Rebekah Feathers Camille Fritz Preston Hall Emerald Harrell Dave Johnson Sarah Lilly Brooklyn Nelson Ruth Rich Cianda Smith Sanae Scott Allie Whittle This cohort completed a five-month program of in-person classroom training. Graduates learn leadership skills that can assist in bridging the gap from their current role to a leadership role. The curriculum includes topics and skills such as: Creating a culture of trust Managing conflicts and differing personalities…

Team Member Kudos
B Excellent
B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: Supporting your teammates

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, May 20. Dear Colleague,  Thank you for your continued commitment to the B Excellent journey. Your engagement and enthusiasm are what make this movement meaningful. We’re closing in on half a million tips completed across Ballad Health! That’s a remarkable statement about how much our team values learning, growing, and working better together. As we continue through the Beyond the Work skill in the Team Collaboration program, it’s important to remember that being a good teammate goes beyond completing tasks. It means showing up for each other – offering support, encouragement and understanding, especially when times get tough. A strong, reliable team is built on kindness, awareness and trust. Being there for one another strengthens not only your immediate team, but our entire organization. This Week’s Team Collaboration Tip Beyond the Work Tip #2: When a Teammate Falls This tip explores how we can…

B Excellent
Team Member Kudos
Team Member Kudos

Congratulations to our newest graduates of the Ballad Health Excellence in Leadership Program!

A new cohort of leaders has successfully graduated from Ballad Health’s Excellence in Leadership Program! The program is designed to instill new and important skills in newly hired or promoted leaders. Throughout the program, which includes five class sessions, participants explored essential leadership topics including human resources policies, effective hiring practices, financial skills, and leadership styles using the DiSC assessment. They also developed strategies to build trust and engagement within their teams, explored the Ballad Experience and practiced skills from “Crucial Conversations for Accountability.” Using a dynamic “learn-try-share” model, each participant selected a key takeaway from every session, tested it in real-world scenarios and then shared their experiences with the group. This hands-on approach not only deepened their understanding but also fostered a culture of continuous learning and peer support. Beyond the classroom, the group enjoyed valuable networking opportunities – building meaningful connections and friendships that will last far beyond the program. Congratulations to our…

Team Member Kudos
HR & Benefits
HR & Benefits

Give yourself a chance to win — now and in retirement!

Lincoln Financial, Ballad Health’s retirement plan partner, will have representatives at our hospitals during during Healthcare Week, with a free giveaway to anyone who stops by to say hello. And if you schedule and meet with a Lincoln retirement consultant by June 30, you’ll be entered in a drawing for several great prizes! (See below for details.) Remember, it’s never a bad time to start saving for retirement. To schedule a meeting, visit LincolnFinancial.com/BalladSchedule. Click here to view a PDF version of the flyer below.

HR & Benefits
HR & Benefits
HR & Benefits

Balladeers enjoy Family Game Nights during April

The Balladeer Children’s Program was busy in April with Family Game Nights! The Balladeer program, a free benefit for Ballad Health employees, is intended to strengthen family bonds and relationships among our Ballad Health family. Activities include visits to area attractions, picnics in local parks, holiday celebrations and activities, sports activities, discount tickets for attractions or events, treats, take-home projects and much more. Here’s what the Balladeers have been up to lately and what they’ve got coming up. And be sure to check the bottom of this article for some nice recognition of our Balladeer Children’s Program on a national scale! April events Family Game Nights The two Family Game Nights – one at McKinney Center in Jonesborough and one at the Ballad Health Training Center in Blountville – drew more than 150 attendees total. These were pajama parties and all in attendance were encouraged to wear their most comfy clothes! Families were invited to…

HR & Benefits
Team member profile
Team member profile

Through Project SEARCH, Ballad Health and Johnson City Schools, Carlos paves the way for competitive employment at JCMC

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – As an intern with Project SEARCH, Carlos has been working hard in the linen department at Johnson City Medical Center (JCMC). But soon, it won’t be part of a high school program. It will be his full-time job. Carlos, a student at Science Hill High School, is one of five seniors participating in Project SEARCH, a nationally recognized transition program that places students with developmental and intellectual disabilities into real-world internships during their final year of high school. On May 21, Carlos will graduate from Project SEARCH. The very next day, he’ll return to Johnson City Medical Center as a full-time team member, becoming the first graduate of the new program to earn gainful employment. “I can see Carlos’s growth, but people who see him once every couple of months are just blown away by the maturity that he’s shown,” said Kelly Hernandez, Johnson City Schools Project SEARCH coordinator. “He’s really…

Team member profile
B Excellent
B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: Making a point to know each other

Dear Colleague,  We’re closing in on 430,000 tips completed across Ballad Health – an incredible accomplishment that reflects your dedication to growing as a team and building a culture of excellence. Thank you for continuing to invest in yourselves and one another through the B Excellent journey. Last week, we wrapped up the Impact of Collaboration skill, where we explored how to break down barriers, build meaningful connections, and support one another through feedback, reflection and shared goals. This week, we’re beginning a brand-new skill – Beyond the Work, which shifts our focus to how deeper personal connections can strengthen collaboration and improve the team experience. This Week’s Team Collaboration Tips Beyond the Work Tip #1: Knowing Each Other This tip helps you recognize the benefits of learning more about your teammates’ personalities, ambitions and behavior styles, while also encouraging you to identify and acknowledge traits you genuinely appreciate in others. Call to action: Think about what…

B Excellent
System Updates
System Updates

The benefits of using Ballad Health Pharmacy

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…

System Updates
Team Member Kudos
Team Member Kudos

Ballad Health’s Ken Harr recognized for support of National Guard and Reserve

Ballad Health’s Ken Harr, Ballad Health assistance vice president and chief security officer, was recently recognized by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for his support, as a leader at Ballad Health, of the National Guard and Reserve. Harr received the ESGR Patriot Award, which was presented to him by members of ESGR and Ballad Health’s safety and security department in a ceremony in Blountville. He was nominated for the honor by Robert Baker, market manager for Ballad Health’s security force, based at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Baker is a member of the 134th Security force Squadron of the Tennessee Air National Guard, located at McGhee Tyson AFB in Knoxville. ESGR is the lead U.S. Defense Department program promoting cooperation and understanding between civilian employers and their National Guard and Reserve employees. The program aims to develop employers into advocates for employee participation in the military. “Ken has been instrumental in his…

Team Member Kudos
Foundation
Foundation

Friend Raiser event highlights investments at Greeneville Community Hospital

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — At Greeneville Community Hospital, the mission to provide high-quality healthcare to Greene County means constant growth and evolution. The facility continues to move forward by offering new and vital services and by improving the patient experience. The latest improvements were the focus of a recent event, the Greeneville Community Hospital Friend Raiser, hosted by the Greeneville Advancement Council in conjunction with the Ballad Health Foundation on April 17 at Oak Meadows Farm and Venue in Greeneville. The free event offered hospital leaders an opportunity to tout investments being made at Greeneville Community Hospital to enhance and expand services and keep healthcare local. It was also a chance to look at what’s planned for the future. The latest step is a $150,000 project to modernize and renovate the main lobby of the hospital, and to create a new surgical registration and waiting area. This involves updating the main lobby’s flooring, paint and décor…

Foundation
HR & Benefits
HR & Benefits

Warm weather, great deals: Team member discounts for staycations, weekend getaways

Looking to enjoy the sunshine close to home? Ballad Health team members have access to a variety of exclusive discounts that are perfect for a fun staycation or weekend getaway as the weather warms up! Smoky Mountain adventures Plan a trip to Sevierville, Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg – the gateway to the Smoky Mountains – and take advantage of discounted tickets to great attractions: Dollywood – Sevierville: Tickets for adults (ages 10+) are $48 plus tax, and children (ages 4–9) are $45 plus tax. Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark – Sevierville: Opening May 10; team member tickets are $39 plus tax. Soaky Mountain Waterpark – Sevierville: Enjoy water fun for $34.99 per ticket (regularly $52.99). Ripley’s Attractions – Gatlinburg: Save $2 on tickets to favorites like the Aquarium of the Smokies, Believe It or Not! Museum, and Haunted Adventure. Scenic spots, cultural treasures, local attractions Biltmore Estate – Asheville: Receive $8 off each ticket to explore…

HR & Benefits
B Excellent
B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: Getting stronger together

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, May 6. Dear Colleague,  Team members across Ballad Health continue to inspire with the commitment to the B Excellent journey. We’re quickly approaching the monumental milestone of 400,000 tips completed! But more important than the number itself is what it represents: thousands of moments where meaningful, practical insight has been shared, discussed, and put into action to shape the culture of our organization. Thank you for helping make that happen. This Week’s Team Collaboration Tip The Impact of Collaboration Tip #4: Going Together In this tip, we reflect on the power of one-on-one connections to create belonging. You’ll identify ways to form stronger relationships with your teammates and review how your team can celebrate wins together and take time to learn about each other in meaningful ways. Call to Action: Create friendship and mentor partnerships among group members to build trusting relationships…

B Excellent
System Updates
System Updates

Ballad Health Academy holds signing ceremony for inaugural class

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…

System Updates
System Updates
System Updates

Ballad Health’s mobile 3D mammography unit expands access to preventive breast screening services for rural communities

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…

System Updates
B Excellent
B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: Am I a collaborator?

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, April 22. Dear Colleague,  Thanks to the commitment you’ve shown to the B Excellent journey, we’re making meaningful strides together. Every time you engage with a tip, start a thoughtful conversation or try something new, you’re helping to shape a more collaborative, supportive culture across Ballad Health. It’s inspiring to see the progress we’re making as a team – and we’re just getting started! This week, we’re continuing with the Impact of Collaboration skill in our Team Collaboration program.  This Week’s Team Collaboration Tip The Impact of Collaboration Tip #2: Am I a Collaborator?This tip challenges each of us to take a moment to reflect on our individual contributions to the team dynamic. Are we helping to create a truly collaborative team? We’ll learn to examine how are personal interactions influence collaboration and outline practical ways to become a stronger, more connected team member….

B Excellent
System Updates
System Updates

Ballad Health launches free phlebotomy training program

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,…

System Updates
System Updates
System Updates

Get to know more of our new clinicians across the system

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…

System Updates
System Updates
System Updates

Holston Valley Medical Center first hospital in East Tennessee, SW Virginia and SE Kentucky to offer innovative cardiac procedure 

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…

System Updates
B Excellent
B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tips: The impact of collaboration

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, April 15. Dear Colleague,  Let’s take a moment to celebrate – we’re closing in on 335,000 tips completed across our system! That’s an incredible accomplishment, but more importantly, it reflects something deeper. In the spirit of mission over metrics, those numbers represent thousands of moments where we’ve paused to reflect, grow, and bring actionable, culture-shaping ideas into our daily work. That’s what truly moves us forward as an organization. This week, we’re kicking off a brand new skill in the Team Collaboration program: The Impact of Collaboration. This week’s Team Collaboration Tips 1. The Impact of Collaboration Tip #1: What a High Collaboration Team Does In this tip, we’ll explore the actions and behaviors that define a highly collaborative team and how each of us can contribute to building that kind of culture. We’ll learn to recognize the traits of effective collaboration and understand…

B Excellent
HR & Benefits
HR & Benefits

Balladeers in March: Fun at the bowling alley and the finance fair

The Balladeer Children’s Program were busy in March with a Finance Fair and two bowling events! The Balladeer program, a free benefit for Ballad Health employees, is intended to strengthen family bonds and relationships among our Ballad Health family. Activities include visits to area attractions, picnics in local parks, holiday celebrations and activities, sports activities, discount tickets for attractions or events, treats, take-home projects and much more. March events Beacon Financial Finance Fair Hosted at our Blountville Training Center in partnership with Beacon Financial Credit Union, with more than 60 people in attendance. Families got to come and visit different stations to learn more about financial literacy. Stations included: spend vs. save, how to write a check, a card decorating station and more. Kids were given “Balladeer bucks” they could spend to visit stations like face painting and a bouncy house. Kids could also spend their bucks at our prize station, which had almost 30…

HR & Benefits
IT & Epic
IT & Epic

EBSCO Dynamic Health about to get easier with transition to Single Sign-On within Epic

Accessing EBSCO Dynamic Health is about to become easier! Beginning Wednesday, March 26, the EBSCO Clinical Decisions system will transition to Single Sign-On (SSO) within the Epic system, using Ballad Health email. This change will simplify access for team members, eliminating the need for separate login credentials. What is Dynamic Health? Dynamic Health is an online resource for healthcare professionals, offering evidence-based/best-practice medical information on diseases, symptoms, diagnostic tests and treatment options. It also provides continuing education (CE) opportunities, allowing nursing and health professionals to earn contact hours through assessments – supporting continuous learning and professional growth. What’s changing? Seamless access in Epic – No separate login is required when accessing Dynamic Health through the Epic system. Ballad Health email required for external access – Team members can access Ballad Health protocols outside of Epic using their Ballad Health email. How to prepare If you access Dynamic Health through Epic, no action is needed; SSO…

IT & Epic