Top Stories

Foundation

Niswonger Children’s Network car raffle is underway!

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. Click here to purchase a ticket, either by credit card or payroll deduction. NOTE: The deadline for purchasing a ticket using two payroll deductions is May 29. The deadline for one payroll deduction is June 12. 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!…

Foundation

HR & Benefits

Open enrollment has closed for FY26 benefits

Annual open enrollment will close today, Wednesday, May 21, at 11:59 p.m. The annual enrollment period is a good time to review your current benefits and make any necessary changes for the upcoming benefit year, which begins July 1. Benefit enrollment is not required this year. If you do not need to make any changes, your current benefit elections will carry over except for the Flexible Medical and/or Dependent Care accounts. These plans do require a new election each year so you will be required to go online and enroll to continue enrollment in these plans. Be sure to review the short-term disability options – there is an increased weekly benefit for the 60% plan options, and if you’re currently enrolled in one of these plans, you may see a higher premium for coverage. Otherwise, if you don’t need to make changes, you will maintain your same benefit elections for the new benefit plan year which begins on July 1….

HR & Benefits

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

HR & Benefits

Team Member Engagement Survey has closed

NOTE: The Team Member Engagement survey has closed. Thank you to everyone who participated! Dear Colleague, This is your final reminder to complete the 2025 Team Member Engagement Survey. The deadline is tonight (Monday, May 19) at 11:59 p.m. The survey should be able to be completed in roughly 15 minutes. Since the team member pulse survey last year, many action plans and initiatives have been implemented and many of you assisted in identifying opportunities for improvement for your departments. Your input into this engagement survey will provide us with updated information and help steer the direction of future initiatives. All survey responses are anonymously delivered directly to Press Ganey. No one at Ballad Health will have access to your individual responses. You should feel comfortable answering truthfully, as Press Ganey will provide us with the anonymous, combined results and analysis. Check your inbox for an email from noreply@hxplatform.pressganey.com – it contains your unique survey link. You must use that…

HR & Benefits

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

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

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

System Updates

Michael Koroscik, seasoned healthcare executive, joins Ballad Health to lead expanding cancer care services

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Ballad Health has selected Michael Koroscik, an accomplished healthcare executive with two decades of experience in leadership roles, as vice president of oncology services. Koroscik joins Ballad Health following the health system’s recent key investments in expanding access to oncology services. In 2024, the health system announced a key partnership with Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, to bring new detection technology and treatment equipment to cancer treatment centers across the health system. Additionally, the health system recently invested $6.5 million to expand Ballad Health Cancer Care—Johnson City to add two new chemotherapy wings, additional patient rooms and bring Johnson City-based cancer services under one roof. With a career history focused on providing high-quality, accessible care, Koroscik’s leadership will play a pivotal role in advancing Ballad Health’s commitment to improving cancer outcomes across the region. “As Ballad Health enters a crucial phase of expanding access to high-quality cancer care in the Appalachian…

System Updates

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

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

IT & Epic

Epic upgrade planned for May 14; here’s what you need to know

Ballad Health will do an upgrade to our Epic electronic health record (EHR) on Wednesday, May 14, starting at 1:30 a.m. Epic users will experience a scheduled Epic downtime of up to two hours as the new November 2024 version of Epic is applied. Leading up to the event, Epic users will experience limitations with various Epic features beginning Friday, May 9, at 5 p.m. Click here for more information on the system freeze. About the downtime Epic will not be completely offline during the downtime window, but will be placed in a “read only” status, so information can’t be entered into Epic during this downtime period. Ballad Health IT will notify users when the downtime period has ended through an IT “All Clear” notification. NOTE: A system build freeze for non-emergency Epic changes will go into effect starting Wednesday, May 7, at noon, lasting until Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. About the upgrade Epic…

IT & Epic

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

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

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 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

From the CEO

Message from Alan Levine: As we celebrate Healthcare Week and Nurses Week, we can see the benefits of our B Excellent journey

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Monday, May 5, from Alan Levine, CEO and President of Ballad Health. Dear colleague, This week holds special meaning for all of us at Ballad Health. From May 5-11, we celebrate both National Nurses Week and Healthcare Week – a time to honor the incredible nurses who serve on the front lines and the many team members who support them behind the scenes, each playing a vital role in the care we provide. This year, Ballad Health has embarked on our B Excellent journey – an intentional commitment to strengthening our culture, reconnecting with our values and investing in the people who care for this community every day. We launched B Excellent to help us return to the “why” behind what we do: to take pride in our work, to support each other, and to create an environment where excellence isn’t just a…

From the CEO

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

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

HR & Benefits

Happy Healthcare Week! We’ve got bingo again, compliments of HR!

As we celebrate Healthcare Week 2025, we invite you to join us for a little fun as we once again play bingo across the system, compliments of our Human Resources department. Starting today (Monday, May 5) through Sunday, May 11, five (5) bingo numbers will be drawn daily and sent to all our team members via email, coming from Ballad Health HR. Expect your bingo numbers to arrive by email each morning between 10 a.m. and noon. Each team member will receive six bingo cards from their manager. All six cards will be on one sheet. If you work remotely, please contact your manager to coordinate receipt of your bingo card. Please return your completed page of cards to HR no later than noon on Wednesday, May 14, to be eligible for prizes. Be sure to include your name, team member number, work location and contact info on your entry! Cards can be hand-delivered to the…

HR & Benefits

System Updates

Marsh Regional Blood Center to host multiple ‘Battle of the Badges’ first responder blood donor competitions

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Marsh Regional Blood Center is teaming up with first responders across the region in the “Battle of the Badges” blood donor competition, which will honor hometown heroes. Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical responders and civilians can roll up their sleeves and compete to see who can secure the most lifesaving donations in the community. “Battle of the Badges is an inspiring display of community spirit and friendly rivalry, all for a lifesaving cause,” said Steffanie Sukel, director of Marsh Regional. “The work of Marsh Regional providing critical blood and blood products would not be possible without support from our donors and supportive organizations, such as first responder groups.” This competition is set to unfold across several locations, each featuring a lineup of first responder teams eager to champion this cause. Below is the complete list of blood drive locations and information: Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department140 Blountville Bypass, BlountvilleWednesday, May 710 a.m. to…

System Updates

Center for Early Learning to host open house and childcare financial aid application assistance for Virginians

Families living in Virginia with children up to five years of age are invited to an onsite financial aid application support session and open house at Ballad Health Center for Early Learning – Abingdon on Saturday, May 3. The event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will provide: Personalized assistance in completing applications for Virginia’s Child Care Subsidy Program waitlist Guided tours of the center’s early‑learning classrooms and playgrounds Prize drawing for a family getaway to Dollywood (no purchase or application required) Families wishing to apply for assistance must bring: Proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship or legal residency (birth certificate, U.S. passport or immigration documentation) Current immunization record or physician‑signed form Household income verification (recent pay stubs, most‑recent tax return or official benefits letter) Entry forms for the Dollywood drawing will be available onsite. The winner will be announced on May 5. Ballad Health remains committed to supporting families by making high‑quality early childhood education accessible and…

System Updates

Foundation

Ballad Health Foundation centers women’s health with annual Wine Women & Shoes fundraiser, raising funds to support breast cancer screenings

BRISTOL, Va. — Women’s health took center stage at Ballad Health Foundation’s annual Wine Women & Shoes fundraiser, which raised $130,000 for women’s health in the Appalachian Highlands. Held at The Olde Farm in Bristol, the event celebrated survivors of breast cancer, spotlighting them with survivor testimonials while also highlighting recent advancements in women’s health across the region. Participants enjoyed hours of entertainment and exclusive shopping, all while raising money to support breast cancer screening programs. Ballad Health’s new Mobile 3D Mammography unit was also on-site for participants to tour. Funds raised from Wine Women & Shoes contribute to financial aid programs that help women who are uninsured or underinsured retain access to critical breast cancer screening services. The unit hit the road in late 2024, providing 3D mammograms to patients regardless of their insurance status. “This weekend was a great opportunity for us to celebrate all the support women’s healthcare receives throughout the year…

Foundation

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 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

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

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

HR & Benefits

Smart Square transitioning to Single Sign-On effective April 23

Accessing Smart Square is about to get easier! Beginning Wednesday, April 23, at 10 a.m., Smart Square will transition to Single Sign-On (SSO) using Ballad Health credentials. This means team members will no longer need a separate username and password for Smart Square – just log in using the same Ballad Health credentials used for other systems. What’s changing? The move to Single Sign-On will provide a smoother, more secure login experience by: Eliminating the need to maintain separate Smart Square login credentials. Making it easier to access Smart Square from personal devices. Removing the requirement to check Ballad Health email for password resets. If you are logged into Smart Square during the transition, you will not experience any disruption. However, the next time you log in after the change is complete, you will need to use your Ballad Health credentials. How to prepare Team members should take the following steps before April 23: Ensure…

HR & Benefits

System Updates

Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center expands with new dental lab to enhance care

ABINGDON, Va. – The Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Clinic has opened a new state-of-the-art dental lab, which will provide advanced manufacturing and customization of oral dental prosthetics to include crowns, bridges, dentures and more. The 2,400-square-foot facility, located next to the main dental center, will streamline patient care while offering valuable hands-on training opportunities for the future dental workforce. The open-concept lab will feature advanced technology, including multiple 3D printers, a CAD/CAM milling area, design stations and a lab director’s office. Residents, students, other Medicaid providers and staff will have the unique opportunity to learn, observe and participate in the process of crafting essential dental products, equipping them with advanced digital skills for their future careers. “This new dental lab is a game-changer for our clinic and, most importantly, for our patients,” said Scott R. Miller, D.D.S., director of the dental residency program at Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center. “By producing high-quality, digitally designed dental…

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 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

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

System Updates

Ballad Health joins community, lawmakers to celebrate 20th anniversary of Hancock County Hospital

SNEEDVILLE, Tenn. – Hancock County Hospital marked 20 years of operations this month, bringing together hospital team members, Ballad Health leaders, state representatives and community members for a celebration. “Hancock County Hospital opened its doors 20 years ago and changed the trajectory of healthcare in this community,” said Hunter Hamilton, RN, chief nursing officer and administrator of Hancock County Hospital and neighboring Hawkins County Memorial Hospital. “I am fortunate to see the effects of the decision to open this facility every day through the incredible service of our team members. They continue to provide excellent care to everyone who needs it, and that dedication will continue to serve our patients for years to come.” “Hancock County Hospital is a beautiful facility, but it’s so much more than a building. The hospital is excellent because of the doctors, nurses, volunteers and all other healthcare professionals who chose to serve their communities. To me, this celebration is…

System Updates

Get to know more of our new clinicians across the system

Amanda Burk, DNP, APRN, AGNP-C, joins Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute in Kingsport KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Amanda Burk, DNP, APRN, AGNP-C, has joined Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute in Kingsport, specializing in electrophysiology. Burk offers a broad range of services and treatments, including anticoagulation management, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, device-related issues, heart block, initiation and adjustment of antiarrhythmic drugs, post-ablation management and premature ventricular or atrial contractions. “My goal is to ensure treatments are appropriate, grounded in evidence-based practice and delivered with compassion and respect,” Burk said. “What I love most about being a provider is connecting with my patients on a personal level and building strong relationships through open and effective communication.” Burk earned her graduate degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She is board-certified as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Burk is…

System Updates

B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: Breaking down ‘silos’ and working together

Dear Colleague, We’re so proud of the incredible work happening across Ballad Health as part of our B Excellent journey! With each tip you complete, you’re building stronger connections, growing your skills, and helping create a more collaborative, respectful and high-performing environment for everyone. This work matters – and it’s making us better, together. At this point you should have started your B Excellent journey, but if you haven’t, now is the time to jump in and catch up! The tips are short, powerful and full of practical ways to elevate how we work with one another every day. Let’s make sure no one is left behind – we’re all in this together. This week, we’re wrapping up the “I Belong Here” skill with a tip focused on breaking down silos and helping teams work together toward a shared vision. This Week’s Team Collaboration Tip I Belong Here Tip #4: Collaborating Across Teams You’ll explore collaborative…

B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tips: Shaping a positive future and shared decision-making

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, April 1, 2025: Dear Colleague, Ballad Health team members are making incredible strides in B Excellent! Together, we’ve completed nearly 290,000 tips – a reflection of your dedication to growth, collaboration and excellence. Every tip you engage with strengthens our teams, enhances patient care and builds a culture where everyone belongs. Keep up the great work! This Week’s Team Collaboration Tip 1. I Belong Here Tip #3: We Have a Future Together A strong, unified team is built on a shared sense of purpose and optimism. This tip highlights the importance of fostering a work environment where every team member feels valued and engaged in shaping a positive future. We’ll explore ways to regularly involve each team members in team goals and initiatives while learning how to express our optimism and support for one another. Call to Action: Take a moment to express…

B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: Recognizing unintended signals of exclusion

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, March 25, 2025: Dear Colleague, Your dedication to B Excellent continues to make an impact! Whether you’ve been engaged from the start or are just beginning, your commitment to growth and collaboration is inspiring. As of Monday morning, Ballad Health team members have completed 263,729 tips – a remarkable achievement that reflects your hard work and dedication to building a stronger, more connected team. By now, you should have already begun your B Excellent journey – but if you haven’t, don’t wait any longer. Now is the time to get started. This week’s Team Collaboration Tip I Belong Here Tip #2: Unintended Signals of ExclusionThis tip focuses on recognizing the subtle signs of exclusion and bias and learning how to avoid them. It also highlights the difference between being a passive bystander and an “assertive upstander” – someone who supports their teammates…

B Excellent

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

B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tips: The language of belonging and active listening

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, March 18: Dear Colleague, Your engagement with B Excellent continues to grow! As of Monday morning, Ballad Health team members have completed a total of 244,161 tips – an amazing reflection of your commitment to professional and personal growth. This week, we’re beginning the I Belong Here skill in the Team Collaboration program with two important tips: This week’s Team Collaboration Tips I Belong Here Tip #1: The Language of BelongingThis tip focuses on demonstrating verbal and non-verbal signals of inclusivity and collaboration to help team members feel valued and connected. It also encourages us to outline how we operate as a team in ways that promote active listening, acknowledgement, and thoughtful consideration of one another. Call to Action: Spend a week assessing your body language. Track how often you smile, make eye contact, initiate handshakes, use names, invite others to speak and avoid interrupting….

B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: Creating chemistry

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Dear Colleague, Your commitment to the B Excellent journey continues to make a difference! As of Monday morning, Ballad Health team members have completed an impressive 222,654 tips – an incredible achievement that reflects your dedication to personal and professional growth. This week, we’re wrapping up the Common Purpose skill in the Team Collaboration program. This Week’s Team Collaboration Tip Common Purpose Tip #4: Creating Chemistry This tip focuses on how we can translate team values into actionable commitments that align with our shared purpose while also recognizing how individual strengths and weaknesses can complement one another to drive engagement. Call to Action: Set aside time to establish a shared team goal. Be ready to discuss how your unique skills and experiences can contribute to achieving it together. Reminders The B Excellent Podcast is now streaming! Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or…

B Excellent

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: What it means to be us

Dear Colleague, Thank you for your incredible participation in the B Excellent program! As of Monday, Ballad Health team members have completed an amazing 202,572 tips – a testament to our commitment to growth and excellence. To make accessing the Practicing Excellence platform easier, we’ve introduced a new simplified login process. If you haven’t yet created your account, an account has been created for you – you can now simply log in using your Ballad Health email address and the PIN 1234 on the Practicing Excellence app or desktop interface – no account setup required! If you’re already participating, no changes are needed. For account assistance, contact members@practicingexcellence.com. This Week’s Team Collaboration Tips 1, Common Purpose Tip #3: What It Means to Be UsThis tip encourages us to intentionally decide how we want our patients and fellow team members to feel and use our values to evoke those emotions. Call to Action: Take a moment to acknowledge and share how you want to…

B Excellent

System Updates

Enrollment for Nurse Fellowship Program, aimed at new nurses joining Ballad Health, is now open

Ballad Health is committed to supporting new members of the nursing profession. One great way to develop competent new graduate nurses at Ballad Health is through our Nurse Fellowship Program. Applicants must have accepted an RN position with Ballad Health prior to the beginning of the program in order to participate. Open enrollment has begun, and lasts from March 1 through May 31! Click here for more information on the Nurse Fellowship Program. This program takes place during the student’s last semester of nursing school and helps prepare them to enter the workforce as new graduate registered nurses. Who’s eligible to apply – ADN/BSN students entering the last semester of an accredited nursing program with a GPA of 2.75 or above (expected graduation in December 2025), who are pursuing a post-graduate RN position with Ballad Health. Program details – Nurses work with a nurse preceptor and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and are paid for their work. Application…

System Updates