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Ballad Health’s second annual Academic and Research Summit is coming up on Friday, Jan. 31, at Northeast State Community College in Blountville. The event, held in the Ballad Health Center for Performing Arts from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., is for all team members and academic affiliates interested in learning more about academic initiatives and research being completed across the Appalachian Highlands. Attendees can attend sessions to hear feedback from student learners, collaborate on research ideas and network with regional professionals. Register today at www.balladhealth.org/academics-summit.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Due to continued elevated levels of influenza and other highly infectious illnesses spreading in our community, we are extending the current staff mask mandate and visitation restrictions for one week, until Jan. 21, 2025, to protect our patients, team members, visitors and the most vulnerable community members – and to ensure staffing levels remain stable. This decision aligns with our commitment to maintaining a safe environment across our healthcare facilities. We appreciate your continued cooperation in ensuring compliance with this measure, which includes requiring masks for staff in all clinical and patient-facing areas. Masks are required for every team member and allied healthcare provider in any patient care unit and during any patient interaction, regardless of vaccination status. Here is the initial Jan. 3 advisory for reference: UPDATED ADVISORY FOR JAN. 3, 2025: Ballad Health implements facility masking and enhanced visitation restrictions amid surge in flu and norovirus cases JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Ballad…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The final phase of Indian Path Community Hospital’s $8 million renovation project has officially started with construction underway on the hospital’s main entrance and lobby. This project will complete the comprehensive updates to the hospital, which have already transformed the Barbara Humphreys Family Birth Center into a state-of-the-art facility. During this phase, the hospital’s main entrance will be closed, and all visitors and patients will be rerouted to enter the hospital through the emergency department entrance. To assist with navigation, temporary barriers will mark construction areas, and clear wayfinding signage will be placed both outside and inside the building. “This renovation is an important milestone for Indian Path Community Hospital, and we are thrilled to see the final phase of this ambitious project take shape,” said Dwight Owens, administrator and chief operating officer of Indian Path Community Hospital. “The new lobby, which will be named in honor of Eastman Credit Union, will…

Dr. Sean Forrest joins Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute in Kingsport KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Sean Forrest, MD, has joined Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute, specializing in cardiothoracic surgery. At Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute, Dr. Forrest offers a broad range of services and treatments, including valve repair/replacement, atrial fibrillation, bronchoscopy, coronary artery bypass and lung resection. “Patients deserve the highest level of respect, and it’s a privilege to guide them,” Dr. Forrest said. “By taking the time to listen and understand their priorities, we can make informed decisions about their care together.” Dr. Forrest earned his medical degree from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He also completed a residency in general surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga and a fellowship in thoracic surgery at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He is certified by the American…

Dixie Waye named chief nursing officer for Behavioral Health Services Dixie Waye, RN, has been named chief nursing officer (CNO) for Ballad Health Behavioral Health Services. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and dedication to serving this vulnerable population. Waye is passionate about reducing stigma by educating healthcare professionals, organizations, and the community regarding mental healthcare and services. She has been serving as the interim CNO of Behavioral Health Services since October. Prior to stepping into the interim position, Waye was director of quality, accreditation and education for Behavioral Health Services. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in overseeing the development of quality monitors and dashboards tailored for behavioral health, as well as preparing units and outpatient locations for accreditation in both Virginia and Tennessee. Waye began her healthcare career in 1996 as a charge nurse at Woodridge Hospital. Through the years, she has served in a variety of roles, including director…

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 mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacteria that can cause chest colds and “walking pneumonia,” among other infections. 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.

During the first half of 2025, Ballad Health will offer a series of career development and training classes called “Choose Your Adventure.” These classes can help people get along better, improve engagement, manage change, build trust and generally create a happier workplace. The classes are appropriate for all Ballad Health team members, from frontline to leadership, and they are being offered “a la carte” – in other words, all sessions are optional. You can take any or all of these classes, which are offered as a mix of in-person and webinar sessions. Among the topics offered are: Conflict Resolution Time Management Civility in the Workplace Creating a Culture … (with different classes covering engagement, trust, change management, results) Personality Discovery Team Dynamics Communicating for Success One topic will be covered each month from January through June. Other key facts about the “Choose Your Adventure” series: Topics will be offered in both a live, in-person classroom…

This message is from Ballad Health’s payroll department. It’s W2 time! You can help us ensure you get an accurate, timely W2 by logging onto the HR & Payroll Service Center located on the Ballad Health intranet main page 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. There are just a few more days to update your W2 information. Thank you for taking the time to verify or update your info!

ABINGDON, Va.  – Ballad Health has selected Dr. Jesse Sulzer, a seasoned physician leader with expertise in operational, clinical and strategic healthcare leadership, to serve as the chief medical officer of Johnston Memorial Hospital, Russell County Hospital and Smyth County Community Hospital, effective December 2024. In his new role, Dr. Sulzer oversees the clinical operations of those three hospitals, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care and enhancing patient outcomes. He is responsible for implementing and maintaining clinical quality standards, supporting medical staff and collaborating with teams across departments to drive operational efficiency and strategic growth. Dr. Sulzer also leads efforts to advance physician engagement and development, foster multidisciplinary collaboration and support the hospital’s mission to deliver exceptional care to the community. “I am extremely excited and honored to join this team as chief medical officer,” said Dr. Sulzer. “The three hospitals have a strong history of serving Southwest Virginia with excellence, and I am committed…

As part of Ballad Health’s mission to address health disparities, the “No One Leaves Hungry” initiative ensures that all Ballad Health hospitals now facilitate food box distribution for patients with food insecurities. This program aligns with The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals and offers healthy food boxes containing nutritious, shelf-stable items to support patients experiencing food insecurity. Program overview The No One Leaves Hungry Initiative is available to any patient who has disclosed food insecurity. Inpatients are screened for health-related social needs using a CMS-verified tool administered by case managers or nursing staff. Our aim is to ensure that no patient leaves our facility without access to food. Team members can distribute food boxes based on the patient’s household size and needs. Leadership and oversight Each hospital has a health equity lead who works closely with Population Health to ensure efficient processes, such as proper storage, reordering and documentation of food box distribution. Storage…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The vertical expansion of Niswonger Children’s Hospital is in full swing and the addition of two new floors is taking shape. Once completed, the new floors will house the newest neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in both Tennessee and Virginia. The space is designed with family-friendly features, including all private rooms and additional areas to support comprehensive treatment. The new NICU will feature: 22 private rooms on each floor 4 double rooms 1 procedure room on each floor Milk lab for breastfeeding moms Up to 48 additional beds Construction teams recently began the exterior enveloping process to seal the new hospital walls an – exciting construction milestone! The new roof is nearly complete, and the existing roof demolition will take place in late January. The $30 million Hope Rising Campaign to fund the expansion project was first announced in March 2022, with an overall goal to expand and enhance facilities and…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…