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BRISTOL, Tenn. — The 23rd annual Diabetes Symposium will be held Friday, Nov. 20, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. The event lasts from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Deadline for registration is Friday, Nov. 13. The event can be attended in person or virtually. Click here for more information or to register. Who should attend The event is designed for healthcare professionals seeking practical tools, evidence-based guidance and opportunities to connect with others dedicated to advancing diabetes care. Any interested physicians, nurse practitioners, registered and licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, registered dietitians, pharmacists and other health professionals are encouraged to participate. Registration Educational credits are available. See more details below on topics and speakers.

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – Expecting parents and growing families are invited to attend a free Community Baby Shower on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at ETSU Health Ballad Health Pediatrics – Elizabethton, a department of Johnson City Medical Center. Hosted by ETSU Health and Ballad Health, the event will connect expectant parents and families with educational resources and healthcare professionals to help them prepare for a healthy pregnancy and the arrival of their newest family member. “It has been such a joy to watch our young patients grow and to build lasting relationships with families throughout Elizabethton and the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Jessica Jones, an ETSU Health pediatrician. “Welcoming a new baby is exciting – and sometimes a little overwhelming, too. Our Community Baby Shower will be a great opportunity to celebrate your growing family, discover helpful resources and network with families sharing similar experiences. Whether you’re already a patient at…

Ballad Health is updating its app to provide a more user-friendly experience and give users access to the latest MyChart features as they become available. The new app experience will be available starting today, Nov. 10. The app will have a different look and feel, but if you or your patients already use the Ballad Health app, there’s no need to download a new app or create a new MyChart account. Users will simply update the Ballad Health app they already have, and their MyChart account information will remain unchanged. Why it matters For patients, the update enables access to new MyChart features as they’re released, all within the app they already know. For team members, understanding the change will help you answer patient questions with confidence and reassure them that their MyChart account information is not changing. If you use the Ballad Health app for your own care, you’ll benefit from the same improvements….

It has come to our attention that letters sent by BlueCross and BlueShield of Tennessee to their TennCare (BlueCare) customers suggest their customers’ physicians may not be accessible in the unfortunate event that Ballad Health is no longer a part of the BlueCare Network.   This is not accurate.    Individuals who access their coverage through TennCare may choose another plan, and may, of course, keep their doctors. Ballad Health and our Ballad Health Medical Associates physicians have been, and remain, in-network with all other TennCare plans being offered in the region. These plans include UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Tennessee and Wellpoint Tennessee. Ballad Health continues to negotiate in good faith with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee with the goal of finding agreement in all plans, including commercial, exchange, Medicare Advantage and BlueCare. Anyone eligible for TennCare who receives their coverage through TennCare will not lose TennCare regardless of the outcome of these negotiations. If Ballad Health and…

NOTE: This message was emailed to Ballad Health team members from Alan Levine, chairman and CEO, on Thursday, Nov. 5. Dear colleague, I am pleased to share that Ballad Health has reached a new, multi-year agreement with UnitedHealthcare, ensuring continued in-network access to our physicians, hospitals and services for people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage individual and Group Retiree plans. This is good news for our patients, particularly the seniors who count on us for care close to home. We appreciate UnitedHealthcare’s partnership in reaching an agreement that puts patients first. Meanwhile, negotiations with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee remain ongoing, with our current agreements set to expire Dec. 31, 2026. As we have throughout our longstanding relationship, we are working to reach a reasonable agreement that reflects the cost of providing care and protects access for patients. Any new agreement must also be sustainable for our hospitals and providers. If an agreement is not reached,…

Southern Comfort Bedding is holding a sale for team members in November, with 20% of all purchases benefiting the Ballad Health Auxiliary. The sale lasts from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30 and team members have the option to use payroll deduction. Visit www.southerncomfortbedding.com and scroll to the bottom of the checkout screen to find options for payroll deduction for hospital employees. The Ballad Health Auxiliary is a nonprofit organization that supports our hospitals through gift shops, coffee shops and other fundraisers. Proceeds benefit our patients and their families. The auxiliary also oversees our volunteer services, including pet therapy, shuttle services, cancer care aid, hospice assistance and much more! Southern Comfort Bedding offers cooling sheets, beach and pool towels, comforters, bundles, cotton sheets, cooling pillows, bath towel sets and more. Orders are shipped directly to the buyer’s home. Payment options include payroll deduction, PayPal and credit/debit.

Here are some of our latest clinicians to join Ballad Health: Jessica Jennings, FNP-C, joins Ballad Health Cancer Care in Abingdon, Marion MARION, Va. – Jessica Jennings, FNP-C, has joined Ballad Health Cancer Care – Abingdon, a department of Russell County Hospital, and Ballad Health Cancer Care – Marion, a department of Smyth County Community Hospital, where she will provide comprehensive oncology and hematology services. Jennings’ services include hematology, infusion therapy and oncology treatment, further expanding access to high-quality cancer care for patients across Southwest Virginia. “My interest in medicine was inspired by my mother, who always cared for family and friends during times of illness or hospitalization,” she said. “Watching her compassion and dedication to helping others influenced my desire to pursue a career in healthcare.” Jennings earned a family nurse practitioner degree and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from King University in Bristol. She is board-certified as a family nurse practitioner by…

Investments in team members, education and technology help strengthen workforce and improve care across the Appalachian Highlands The big picture: Ballad Health’s investment in its workforce has reduced its nursing turnover rate from 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic to below 12%. In a recent interview with Becker’s Hospital Review, Ballad Health Chairman and CEO Alan Levine shared how that shift has stabilized the system’s workforce, improved patient experience and strengthened its care for patients. By the numbers Why it matters Alan Levine on Ballad Health’s progress and priorities Building the workforce close to home Technology that supports patients and caregivers Learn more You can read Levine’s full interview with Becker’s Hospital Review here.

NOTE: This message was released at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29. Ballad Health has identified and resolved a disruption affecting several of its software systems at facilities and Ballad Health Medical Associates clinics. Our Information Technology team has restored the software systems quickly and safely. Facility and Ballad Health Medical Associates teams will continue working directly with patients whose care may be affected or interrupted by the disruption. We are grateful to our team members, who responded with patience and an unwavering focus on caring for patients throughout the downtime, and we thank our patients, families and community for their patience and understanding. Patients who need assistance rescheduling an appointment or service should call 833-8-BALLAD (225523). Ballad Health’s Corporate Emergency Operations Center will remain activated to support the health system until 5 p.m.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The experiences of nurses and the essential role of empathy in healthcare took center stage Oct. 21 at Nashville’s Belcourt Theatre during a special screening of “NURSE: Empathy Heals.” The documentary shares nurses’ personal stories, offering a closer look at the emotional demands of caregiving and the people behind patient care. The film is part of the Nurse Narratives Initiative (NNI), a collaboration led by East Tennessee State University (ETSU) that brings together StoryCollab, the ETSU College of Nursing, the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement and the ETSU Research Corporation, with support from Ballad Health. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Chusy of Plan A Films, “NURSE: Empathy Heals” explores nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and the everyday challenges of patient care. Through accounts of grief, resilience, doubt, faith and compassion, the documentary examines what it means to care for others — and the importance of extending empathy to caregivers themselves. The…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Niswonger Children’s Hospital celebrated the opening of a completely redesigned St. Jude Tri-Cities Affiliate Clinic, bringing a more comfortable experience for children receiving cancer treatment and their families. The renovations were fully funded through more than $550,000 in philanthropic support from local donors. Designed to create a welcoming, child-friendly environment, the clinic was updated to feature a safari theme, including a waterfall feature in the hallway. The renovations also added a self-service drink and snack station, a counseling room and a music therapy room, along with two extra-large exam rooms to accommodate larger families.   “We are so appreciative of our community. This is a project that was initiated when a local philanthropist simply observed a need and asked how they could help,” said Chris Jett, chief executive officer of Niswonger Children’s Network. “Without this clinic, families would have to travel outside the region, sometimes as far as Memphis, to get…

Over the next few months, the Ballad Health Research Institute will visit our hospitals to speak with team members and community members about its work and mission. The Research Institute supports, develops and oversees research across Ballad Health to advance scientific discovery, improve clinical outcomes and bring innovative therapies to patients in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Members of the team will have a table set up in the hospitals with information about their work, and they will be available to answer questions and engage with both team members and the community. Upcoming visits include: Visits will be scheduled at other Ballad Health hospitals in the new year. What does the Ballad Health Research Institute do? The institute coordinates clinical trials, ensures regulatory compliance, protects research participants and assists investigators across a wide range of medical and scientific studies. Research ensures that our patients are given access to the most advanced treatments and technologies available…

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 influenza, or the flu — the respiratory illness that gets its own season. We’re all familiar with the classic symptoms: fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose and body aches, plus a few more. To combat the flu, team members should get their annual flu shots by Nov. 4, unless they have a medical exemption or religious accommodation. If you have questions or want more information, please reach out to your infection preventionist.