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Ballad Health is switching to a new virtual visit video platform, Andor, on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The Andor solution provides a significant improvement to the user experience both for the clinician and the patient. As we expand our telemedicine services across the system, this will support our expansion and sustain our service for the long term. Improvements to our video visits include: Improved connectivity and fewer connectivity issues Compatibility with any browser Integration with Epic, so clinicians can set up and complete a video visit on a single screen Accessibility from any Ballad Health device (not the thin clients) Online consents for patients, streamlining the consent process * If using VDI on a Ballad Health device, please open a ticket with IT to have the computer set up for telemedicine. If you experience any audio or video issues, please contact the IT Service Desk Helpline since you may be in VDI. This transition will especially…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Ballad Health continues to lead in advanced surgical care with the addition of Ion robotic-assisted surgery systems at Bristol Regional Medical Center and Holston Valley Medical Center. The Ion system represents a groundbreaking platform for minimally invasive lung biopsies, empowering physicians to detect lung cancer sooner through a more precise approach. This innovative technology uses an ultra-thin, highly maneuverable robotic catheter to navigate previously unreachable parts of the lung and retrieve tissue samples for analysis. Leveraging CT scan data, the Ion system generates a 3D image of the patient’s lungs, mapping out intricate branches and nodules for more targeted biopsies. “Introducing the Ion robotic surgery platform at Bristol Regional Medical Center marks another step forward in our mission to bring the highest level of healthcare innovation to our community,” said John Jeter, CEO of Bristol Regional and Johnston Memorial. “With lung cancer as a leading cause of cancer death, early detection…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The following is a letter Ballad Health is sending to members of the community who have Cigna health insurance. This letter provides important updates regarding our ongoing negotiations with Cigna and the potential impact on your coverage. In an ongoing effort to be transparent with the communities we serve, Ballad Health is providing an update to our ongoing discussions with Cigna for renewed agreement for the following plans: Cigna Commercial (which includes Cigna individual and employer-based plans) Evernorth behavioral health Marketplace Exchange (Affordable Care Act insurance exchange for individuals; Cigna Connect/IFP). All three plans expire on December 31, 2024.  If an agreement between Ballad Health and Cigna is not reached for each of these plans by December 31, 2024, Ballad Health facilities and providers will be out-of-network for all Cigna Commercial health plans, Evernorth Behavioral Health members, and Cigna Marketplace Exchange members (Connect/IFP). For non-emergency services, being out-of-network may impact out-of-pocket…

ABINGDON, Va.  – Ballad Health has selected Brooke Davis to serve as the chief financial officer of Johnston Memorial Hospital, Smyth County Community Hospital and Russell County Hospital, effective Dec. 1, 2024. In her new role, Davis will oversee the financial operations of those three Southwest Virginia hospitals, including strategic financial planning, development and management of operating budgets and coordination of fiscal performance to align with the hospitals’ goals. She will also provide leadership on financial strategy, reporting and optimization initiatives to support operational efficiency and ensure the delivery of exceptional care to the community. Davis brings more than five years of executive experience in healthcare finance to this role, most recently serving as chief financial officer for Ballad Health’s behavioral health service line. In that capacity, she focused on productivity, expense reduction and optimizing revenue capture, while collaborating on payor contracting strategies and meeting financial commitments outlined under the health system’s Certificate of Public…

Delta Dental of Tennessee is giving away $70,000 to children’s hospitals in Tennessee through its annual holiday campaign, and the public is invited to vote for the hospital of their choice – including our very own Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Delta Dental supports the use of art as a powerful healing tool. At Niswonger Children’s Hospital, specialists incorporate art therapy to help children feel more comfortable and at ease, creating a sense of home even when they have to be away for extended periods. The more votes a hospital gets, the greater the portion of the $70,000 it receives from the campaign. We encourage everyone to support Niswonger Children’s Hospital by casting a vote. Voting ends Dec. 25. Click here to vote. You can cast additional votes on Delta Dental’s social media channels! Each hospital has a special post on Delta Dental of Tennessee’s LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram channels. Check out @DeltaDentalTN on each channel and like, comment and share your…

Here are some of our latest clinicians to join Ballad Health; be on the lookout for more announcements in the coming weeks! Dr. William Adams joins BHMA General Surgery in Greeneville GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – William “Logan” Adams, MD, has joined Ballad Health Medical Associates (BHMA) General Surgery, specializing in general surgery. Dr. Adams offers a broad range of surgical services and treatments, including feeding tube placement, gallbladder surgery, hernia repair, port placement, thyroid surgery and upper and lower endoscopy. “Finding a problem and then being able to fix it is what led me to become a surgeon,” Dr. Adams said. “I chose general surgery for its broad scope and wide variety of diagnoses and cases.” Dr. Adams earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine in Knoxville and completed his undergraduate studies at Lipscomb University in Nashville. He served a residency in general surgery at the University of…

If you have a history of smoking, you can get a lifesaving scan for free right now. Lung cancer is by far the deadliest cancer in the United States. Low-dose CT scans check for early signs of lung cancer, helping to catch it before it spreads, greatly increasing your odds.* If you’re at risk, now is the time to act. You can schedule a free scan through Dec. 6 with Ballad Health if you meet the following eligibility requirements: Between the ages of 50 and 80 Currently smoke, or quit within the last 15 years No lung cancer symptoms and no previous cancer diagnosis Have not received a low dose CT scan before Have not had a chest CT scan within the last 12 months Smoking habits meet or exceed one of the following: Two packs a day for 10 years One pack a day for 20 years Half a pack a day for 40…

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, we’re spotlighting a bacteria that’s familiar to just about everybody by its nickname — C. diff — rather than by its real name, which is clostridioides difficile. If you have questions or want more information, please reach out to your infection preventionist. Click here to see the flier below in PDF format.

This message is from Ballad Health’s payroll department. It’s W2 time! Well, maybe it’s not exactly W2 time – but it is time to start preparing for W2 time. You can help us ensure you get an accurate, timely W2 by logging onto the HR &Payroll Service Center and taking a few minutes to do the following: Verify your Social Security Number. Making sure we have the correct Social Security Number ensures your wages are reported accurately. Verify your address. Making sure we have an accurate address ensures you get important information in a timely fashion. Review your tax withholding. You may update your tax withholding via the HR & Payroll Service Center at any time. Authorize eW2s. Authorizing your eW2 is a simple way to ensure you get your W2 as quickly as possible.

CLINTWOOD, Va. – Bryan Hall has been selected to serve as the new administrator for Dickenson Community Hospital. Bryan succeeds Terri Roop, who has relocated out of the region. On behalf of Ballad Health, we want to sincerely thank Terry for her dedicated service and leadership during her tenure, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors. Hall is no stranger to Dickenson Community Hospital, as he previously served as interim administrator earlier this year. During that time, he provided strong leadership, ensuring continuity of care and smooth operations. His experience as the director of diagnostic imaging, overseeing the daily operations of imaging departments at four facilities, has further demonstrated his capability as a leader. “We have confidence that Bryan will continue to lead Dickenson Community Hospital with the same dedication and excellence he has demonstrated throughout his career,” said Shannon Showalter, chief executive officer for Ballad Health operations in Wise, Lee…

Ballad Health Pharmacy is taking steps to be more accessible and convenient. We now offer mail delivery service so your medications can be delivered directly to your door. It’s easy to enroll: Call 423-926-6154 and ask to register for mail delivery service. Pharmacy staff will do the rest. Mail delivery service is available for all team members’ residential locations. Team members and covered dependents are eligible for multiple benefits and discounts at Ballad Health Pharmacy, including: If you are enrolled in Ballad Health’s diabetes program, you can receive certain medications such as insulin, Rybelsus, Jardiance and Ozempic for free. 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 drugs such as Effient, Xarelto and Premarin/Prempro. Click here to see the whole list on the HR…

As community members who obtain their health insurance through Medicare Advantage, the Marketplace Exchange and Commercial/Employer plans consider their health insurance options during open enrollment, Ballad Health is transparently sharing an update on ongoing negotiations with Cigna regarding a new agreement for the Cigna Medicare Advantage, Marketplace Exchange, Commercial, and Evernorth (behavioral health) plans. Commercial plans include plans offered through employers, including the State of Tennessee Employee Health Plan. Medicare Advantage, the Marketplace Exchange, Commercial, and Evernorth behavioral health plan agreements between Ballad Health and Cigna expire on Dec. 31, 2024. If agreement between Cigna and Ballad Health is not reached by this date, there remains a possibility that Ballad Health facilities and providers will be out-of-network for Cigna Medicare Advantage, Marketplace Exchange, Commercial, and Evernorth behavioral health plans. In every case where Ballad Health has been in negotiations with major insurers, long-term agreements have been reached, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Anthem/Elevance,…

Did you know there’s a place you can share inspiring team member moments you’ve witnessed? If you’ve seen someone embody Ballad Health’s values recently, please share the story on the Mission Moment Dashboard! This is a place to collect and discover moments of team members living out Ballad Health’s mission: to honor those we serve by delivering the best possible care. You can submit a Mission Moment yourself at this link, or you can submit through your manager. You’ll also find the link on the home page of the Ballad Teams app and under the intranet Quick Links as HRO Mission Moment Form. Whether or not you have a story to submit yet, you can view and enjoy the growing collection of mission moments here. To view the dashboard, you will need to create a Smartsheet account with your Ballad Health email – an easy process that just takes a minute. Going forward, if you…

Partnership with employers, government and community organizations is a national model for increasing access to high-quality early learning ABINGDON, Va. – Continuing to deliver on its commitment to enhance access to high-quality childcare across the Appalachian Highlands with a new $4 million investment, Ballad Health has opened its newest Center for Early Learning in Abingdon developed in partnership with EO Companies’ Regional Workforce and Child Development Hub, Head Start, Washington County Schools, the Commonwealth of Virginia, K-VAT and the Wellspring Foundation.     The Ballad Health Center for Early Learning in Abingdon is now enrolling in the newly renovated Regional Workforce and Child Development Hub off Interstate 81’s Exit 17 – site of the old Kmart. Serving up to 300 children in approximately 25,000 square feet, the facility is the largest Center for Early Learning opened so far by Ballad Health. The Abingdon location is the fifth new Center for Early Learning to open as part…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – With flu season right around the corner, Ballad Health Pharmacy will be offering flu vaccination clinics at two locations on Saturday, Oct. 19. The clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ballad Health Pharmacy locations in Johnson City, at 523 N. State of Franklin Road, and in Kingsport at 1657 E. Stone Drive, Suite A. Appointments are not required. “As we do all we can to help the Appalachian Highlands recover from Hurricane Helene, we’re also taking measures to safeguard our communities’ health, and curbing the spread of the flu is crucial to that,” said Jamie Swift, Ballad Health’s chief infection prevention officer. “Each year, influenza causes hospitalizations and deaths around the world, including here in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Flu shots are the best way to prevent the flu, and with that, prevent more local tragedies and loss.”   The vaccinations are free of charge…

Ballad Health’s department of academics and research serves as the central office for multi-specialty research oversight throughout the health system. The research arm of the department has recently been renamed the office of research operations, and it has gained new leadership through Dr. Quincy Byrdsong, vice president of research operations. The office of research operations’ goal is to honor those who heroically volunteer as research subjects through the best possible care, compliance and compassion, and to provide infrastructure that builds a legacy of superior research by listening to, and caring for, those we serve. Why research is so vital All 29 counties in the Ballad Health service area have been identified as having higher rates of unemployment and poverty, which makes local access to research and advancement particularly notable. “This investment in research has created an enormous benefit for our underserved region by providing access to leading-edge research, procedures and medical devices,” said Dr. Clay…

Ballad Health is committed to supporting new members of the nursing profession, and we offer two excellent programs to help develop nurses just joining Ballad Health out of nursing school – our Nurse Fellowship Program and our Nurse Residency Program. Applicants must have accepted an RN position with Ballad Health in order to participate. Both programs are now open for applications. Visit here to learn more about the two programs or to apply! 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 who are entering the last semester of an accredited nursing program with a GPA of 2.75 or above, and have accepted 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…