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Ballad Health’s Systemwide Grand Rounds – “Pediatric sepsis: We have some so far … but we are only getting started” – takes place Wednesday, Sept. 30, from noon to 1 p.m. It will be held at Johnson City Medical Center in Auditoriums 1-2 on the seventh floor, with an option to attend virtually. This event is part of Ballad Health’s recognition of September as Sepsis Awareness Month. Presenting will be Mark W. Hall, MD, a national leader in pediatric sepsis research. Dr. Hall is a professor of pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and chief of the Division of Critical Care Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hall’s immunology work includes clinical conditions such as trauma, burns, sepsis and cardiopulmonary bypass. He is the Principal Investigator for Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the NICHD’s Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network (CPCCRN) and is an active member of the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and…

As a reminder, team members can access valuable benefits by using Ballad Health Pharmacy. Check out the advantages below. You can also help us better serve our team member workforce by completing a quick online survey. 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: Mail delivery service Mail delivery service is available for all team members’ residential locations. Call 423-926-6154 and ask to register for courier or mail delivery service. Pharmacy staff will do the rest. Streamlining medications with MedSync In addition to home delivery, Ballad Health Pharmacy is using a powerful tool called MedSync that allows our pharmacy team to synchronize most medications so patients can receive fewer deliveries and make fewer trips to refill prescriptions. By consolidating refills, MedSync simplifies the…

ABINGDON, Va. — Ballad Health Cancer Care – Abingdon invites women across the region to attend Celebrate Women, a free annual event dedicated to women’s health and wellness, on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 4-7 p.m. at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia. This community event offers women an opportunity to prioritize their health while connecting with local healthcare experts and resources. The evening will feature door prizes, educational sessions, giveaways and vendor booths, all designed to promote awareness and encourage preventive care. Guests will also have the chance to win a Dyson Airwrap styler and dryer as the grand prize. “Celebrate Women is a great chance for women in our community to put their health first,” said Paula Fore, senior director of Ballad Health Cancer Care – Abingdon. “We want women to leave this event feeling informed, encouraged and connected to resources that can help them take care of themselves. Early detection and preventive…

Ballad Health’s next Systemwide Grand Rounds – “Histotripsy: A Breakthrough in Cancer Care” – takes place Tuesday, Sept. 22, from noon to 1 p.m. It will be held at Johnson City Medical Center in Auditorium 2 on the seventh floor, with an option to attend virtually. Register now for this free, one-hour virtual seminar, which is worth 1 hour of CME/CNE credit. Click here for more information or to register for the event. This event will educate any level of healthcare provider on the use of histotripsy and how to identify potential patients for referral for the procedure. Trevy Ramos, DO, will give the presentation. Ballad Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide CME for physicians and designates this activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Ballad Health is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission…

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Marsh Regional Blood Center is partnering with Bristol Motor Speedway to host the 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive, continuing a quarter-century of community tradition while honoring the victims and heroes of Sept. 11, 2001. This year’s milestone drive will take place on Friday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bristol Motor Speedway (Entrance 1 North). The annual tribute at Bristol Motor Speedway has united donors, first responders and community members in a shared act of remembrance and lifesaving generosity. During the event’s history, thousands of units of blood have been collected, directly impacting patients throughout the region. All participating donors will receive a limited-edition T-shirt and tumbler. Walk-ins are welcome. “In the weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, people wanted to help in whatever way they could, so they came out in droves to give blood,” said Steffanie Sukel, director of Marsh Regional. “We wanted to honor that selflessness, so we…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The 2026 Academics and Research Summit is set for Friday, Sept. 18, at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center. This year’s theme is “Healthy Futures for a Healthier Region” The agenda includes speakers throughout the day, including a keynote presentation by Deniece Thomas, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Click here to register or for more information. The fourth annual event is designed for team members, academic affiliates, workforce development partners and economic developers who want to learn more about the academic initiatives and research taking place across the Appalachian Highlands. For questions, email janet.mccolley@balladhealth.org.

NOTE: September is Sepsis Awareness Month. Be on the lookout for more sepsis-related articles each week in Ballad Health News this month, including an interactive quiz. Many people have heard of sepsis, but misconceptions remain about where it comes from and who is affected. Some think sepsis only happens in hospitals or only affects older adults and people with serious health conditions. In reality, it can develop from common infections and affect anyone, including people who were previously healthy. Understanding what sepsis is and recognizing when an infection may be getting worse can help people know when to seek medical care. Sepsis happens when the body’s response to an infection begins to work against it, causing damage to organs and other tissues. It is not an infection itself. Instead, it is a complication that can develop from infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin infections and other illnesses. One common misconception is that sepsis…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Eligible patients can receive a free first-time low-dose CT lung cancer screening through Ballad Health from Sept. 1, 2026, through Jan. 29, 2027. The quick, non-invasive screening can help detect lung cancer earlier, when treatment is often most effective. “We received a tremendous response when we previously offered free low-dose CT scans,” said Dr. Shari K. Rajoo, chief medical officer for population health at Ballad Health. “Thousands of people completed their first lung cancer screening, and many told us they would not have been screened otherwise. We encourage anyone who may qualify to talk with their healthcare provider about whether screening is right for them. It is important to continue screening as recommended each year as long as you qualify. This greatly improves the chance of detecting cancer early over time.” “We encourage anyone who may qualify to talk with their healthcare provider about whether screening is right for them. It…

The Wellness Center in Johnson City is offering a virtual personal training program that connects participants with a real trainer at the center, enabling them to have a customized training plan even if they can’t come to the center for workout sessions. It combines a fitness and workout app with a personal, one-on-one approach to training that includes not just workouts but also diet and nutrition. Using the app also helps keep people accountable as they work the program. “This gives people a customized program right at their fingertips that can help them on their wellness journey,” said Amy Mooney, wellness coach. “It connects people with a real trainer – it’s not just with an app that’s created by AI – so people are actually being supervised by a real person who can set and meet fitness and wellness goals.” All trainers are certified. The program is open to anyone, so you don’t have to…

Enhanced technology and care coordination help patients access the right care faster while strengthening regional operations JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health has completed a nearly $8 million grant-funded expansion of its Clinical Command Center, strengthening the health system’s ability to coordinate patient transfers, deliver virtual care and support emergency operations and communications across the Appalachian Highlands. The expanded facility further enhances Ballad Health’s ability to provide high-quality technology-enabled care while strengthening its Regional Medical Communications Center, one of only seven state-designated centers in Tennessee responsible for coordinating emergency medical communications and patient bed placement across the region. Opened in 2022, the Clinical Command Center serves as Ballad Health’s centralized hub for patient flow, transfer coordination, regional communications and technology-enabled care. By integrating these services into a single, systemwide network, the center helps connect patients to the right level of care more quickly while improving coordination across Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and the surrounding areas…

Ballad Health is aware of fraudulent emails circulating that appear to come from MyChart, Epic or healthcare organizations. These messages are not from Ballad Health and may attempt to trick users into clicking links, sharing personal information or signing up for products or services. Click here to learn more about these phishing emails. Healthcare organizations across the country are reporting phishing emails targeting MyChart users. If you have any questions or concerns about an email you’ve received, you can call our consumer contact team at 1-833-822-5523. Our team is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If a patient asks about phishing emails, you may also direct them to call 1-833-822-5523 or visit www.balladhealth.org/mychart/phishing-emails to learn more. Examples of phishing email messages MyChart phishing emails can be highly misleading. Scammers are sending convincing emails using the MyChart logo and language that is nearly identical to real MyChart messages. Reported phishing scheme emails have included subject lines…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — Holston Valley Medical Center invites the community to a special Open House event on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the hospital’s main lobby. The event will give community members an opportunity to meet the hospital’s new CEO, Kevin Rinks, and the team members who provide care, as well as learn more about services and explore the latest medical technology and innovation. “We’re excited to welcome our neighbors through our doors and give them a closer look at the people and services that make Holston Valley such an important part of this community,” said Rinks, who became CEO of Holston Valley and Indian Path Community Hospital in March 2026. “Our team works every day to provide high-quality care close to home, and this event is a great opportunity for our community to meet the people behind that care.” During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health Cancer Care has been awarded two grants from the American Cancer Society totaling $30,000 to help patients and caregivers overcome critical barriers to accessing cancer treatment – namely, the costs of transportation and temporary lodging. The grants include $20,000 to support transportation needs and $10,000 to assist with lodging. The funding is part of $9 million awarded to health systems nationwide by the American Cancer Society to reduce the financial burden on cancer patients, enabling them to focus on healing and recovery. The grants will help cover expenses such as gas, hotel rooms and temporary lodging for both patients and their caregivers. “We are incredibly grateful to the American Cancer Society for their continued partnership and support,” said Dr. Ibrahim Nakhoul, a medical oncology specialist at the Ballad Health Cancer Care – Kingsport. “For many cancer patients in our region, access to care depends not only on having a…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Ballad Health’s annual Camp Firefly event returns to Warriors’ Path State Park on Saturday, Sept. 12, offering an interactive day to help children, teens and their families navigate grief. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is designed to meet the needs of children and teens who have experienced the death of a loved one. Adult caregivers are encouraged to attend Camp Firefly alongside their children, as the camp offers separate services to help adults understand how to support a child’s grieving process, cope with their own grief and respond to a child’s unique needs. A panel of experienced professionals will be available to answer questions. Team members are encouraged to spread the word to anyone who may want to participate in the camp or to volunteer for the event. Click here to sign up as a participant or a volunteer. “Grief can be extremely lonely and isolating, and kids sometimes…

$44 million hospital will restore inpatient care in Unicoi County community The big picture: Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene destroyed Unicoi County Hospital, Ballad Health leaders, elected officials and community members gathered Aug. 19 to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new hospital for the community. By the numbers Why it matters What leaders are saying Building for the future A community effort What’s next Construction is underway on the replacement hospital and is set for completion in 2028.

Team members are invited to submit their own photos to be used as decorations for the Ballad Health community Christmas trees we sponsor and decorate each holiday season, with the submission deadline set for Tuesday, Sept. 1. This is a way to pay homage to the everyday heroes we have working in our hospitals and offices. We’re asking for photos of our team members that are NOT from the workplace, but instead are outside the work environment and show our team members doing various other activities – celebrating a milestone, running a 5K with a fellow team member, working in the garden, doing volunteer work, attending a parade or community event, etc. Ballad Health Christmas trees will be located in the following cities: *Rather than traditional live trees, the Believe in Bristol display will feature professionally installed “flagpole light trees” without ornaments, so no photo submissions are needed for that tree. The trees are usually…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health is proud to congratulate Ballad Health Academy and its academic partners for being named Secondary Program of the Year by the Tennessee Association for Career and Technical Education (TNACTE). Representatives from six local school district partners and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology at Elizabethton and Morristown recently accepted the award in July at the organization’s annual summer conference. These outstanding leaders, with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, help provide classroom education, hands-on training and support mechanisms needed for high school students to navigate potential healthcare career pathways. We’re proud to congratulate our scholastic partners from: Ballad Health is also excited to expand its Ballad Health Academy program to Johnson County Schools in 2026-27, making it the seventh local school district to join the program. In just its first year, Ballad Health Academy enrolled more than 300 students in Northeast Tennessee, with more than 500 students projected to participate in…

Ballad Health team members are invited to have a little fun while exploring the Dynamic Health site on the intranet – with an opportunity to earn CE credits and win prizes throughout August. Team members can log into their Dynamic Health account and participate in the August Scavenger Hunt. While completing the scavenger hunt activities, team members can earn CE credits, discover valuable Dynamic Health resources and features and be entered for a chance to win a $15 Starbucks gift card. How it works One winner will be selected each week throughout August to receive a $15 Starbucks gift card. What is Dynamic Health? Dynamic Health is an online resource for healthcare professionals, offering reliable 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. How to access EBSCO and…

If you’ve been involved in a performance improvement project at Ballad Health, now is your chance to be recognized. Submissions for the 2027 Ballad Health Excellence Awards are officially open! Last year, we received 102 entries from across the organization, 87 of which were eligible for judging – showcasing the innovation, dedication and excellence that our teams exhibit every day. We’re excited to build on that momentum and celebrate the impactful work happening throughout Ballad Health. Submission period *In order to ensure appropriate time for the judging of the projects, this is a firm deadline that will not be extended. Click here to access the submission form. Note: You must be on a Ballad Health network device to access the submission link. You can also find the submission form on the Ballad Health intranet main page under “Quick Links” or by clicking the Excellence Awards banner at the top of the page. There are also…

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/.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health Home Health Care Services in Abingdon and Norton, Virginia, have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its 2026-2027 Best Home Health ratings, placing both locations among the highest-performing home health agencies nationwide. Based on a review of more than 12,000 Medicare-certified home health agencies across the country, U.S. News rated both Ballad Health locations as high performers for patient care, outcomes and patient experience. The recognition underscores Ballad Health’s commitment to ensuring patients have access to high-quality care not only while in the hospital or clinical setting, but throughout their recovery journey after discharge. “This recognition reflects the professionalism and focus of our home health nurses, therapists and support staff in Abingdon and Norton,” said Candice Greenlee, assistant vice president of Ballad Health Home Health and Hospice. “At Ballad Health, we recognize that healing doesn’t end when a patient leaves the hospital. Home health services play…

UNICOI, Tenn. – Ballad Health has officially acquired the property that will become the future home of the new Unicoi County Hospital, marking a major milestone in its commitment to restoring inpatient care for the community. The property acquisition clears the way for construction to begin on the replacement hospital, which will replace the previous facility that was rendered unsafe after catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Ballad Health also announced it will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the hospital site near Interstate 26 off Zane Whitson Drive in Erwin, behind the Tinker Road Walmart. A community picnic will immediately follow from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event is open to community members, local leaders and project partners. Ballad Health will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 11…

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.