Our “Kudos & Recognition” feature highlights team members and others from across Ballad Health who have earned honors, awards, professional certifications or done other notable things worth recognizing. If you know a team member who might qualify, email information to doug.janz@balladhealth.org.
Hope Waddell retires from Bristol Regional after 45 years
BRISTOL, Tenn. – Bristol Regional Medical Center recently said farewell to Hope Waddell, risk management coordinator, who retired after 45 years of service to the hospital.
Hope was known for her attention to detail and dedication to the nursing practice, and for her calm demeanor even under the most difficult situations.
Hope worked for many years in the old Bristol Memorial Hospital, then moved to the current location when the new facility opened in 1994. She was most recently stationed in the Bristol 4 West building. She was a longtime quality assurance nurse facilitator. Over the years she worked through numerous quality nursing initiatives and always tried to ensure Bristol Regional met the expectations of its customers.
Team members presented her with flowers and a cake, as they said goodbye and offered well wishes for her retirement.
Thank you, Hope, and best wishes!
Raines, Gray earn physical therapy board certifications
Joey Raines of Bristol Regional Medical Center and Kelley Gray from Smyth County Community Hospital recently earned the professional designation of board-certified clinical specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
Gray, PT, an acute care physical therapist at Smyth County, earned her certification in geriatric physical therapy.
She treats patients who are hospitalized due to surgery or illness, giving her the opportunity to promote independence in the elderly population. She also has a special interest in treating dizziness and balance disorders.
In the state of Virginia where less than 10% of all physical therapists have earned a specialization, less than 1% are board-certified in geriatrics.
She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with her Master of Science in physical therapy.
As adjunct faculty at the Emory & Henry School of Health Sciences Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Gray teaches in the Patient Care Skills: Foundations Lab. At the hospital, she is the site coordinator of clinical education for the rehab department where she also personally trains students as they complete their clinical rotations.
“Becoming a board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy is a milestone in my career and gives me the confidence to continue to encourage my patients to reach their mobility goals,” Gray said.
Raines, PT, DPT, earned his designation in orthopedic physical therapy. He works at Bristol Regional in the outpatient clinic located on West State Street. He sees a variety of patients but enjoys treating post-operative or other musculoskeletal conditions.
Currently there are only 11 physical therapists registered in the Tri-Cities area who have obtained their OCS certification.
Joey has received additional training in the use of trigger-point dry needling and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. He also has an interest in the rehabilitation of athletes.
Joey graduated from ETSU with his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2009.
“Obtaining my specialty certification in orthopedics was a good way to supplement my knowledge base and help me to become a better therapist,” he said. “There’s always more we can learn. I also knew it would be a challenge and would help me to realize where I could improve my skills.”
In the outpatient setting, Joey has mentored several students. He enjoys fostering a positive learning environment while acting as a clinical instructor. This also allows him to stay up-to-date with current evidence and best practice procedures.
BRMC’s Bobbie Murphy selected to WGU Tennessee Advisory Board
NASHVILLE — Bobbie Murphy, vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer at Ballad Health’s Bristol Regional Medical Center, has joined the WGU Tennessee Advisory Board.
WGU Tennessee is the state-endorsed nonprofit university launched as part of former Gov. Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative.
“We’re thrilled at the opportunity to work with Ballad Health, one of Tennessee’s premier health care organizations,” said Kimberly K. Estep, chancellor of WGU Tennessee. “Having a health care leader of Bobbie Murphy’s caliber on our advisory board is a huge benefit to us as we continue to grow in East Tennessee and beyond.”
Murphy, who has been in the nursing field for 19 years, joined Ballad Health in 2016 as director of emergency services, critical care, trauma and respiratory therapy. She began in her current role at BRMC in September 2019.
Murphy is a graduate of WGU, having earned her Master of Science in nursing in 2016.
“I appreciated the quality education with a flexible delivery model as a student at WGU,” Murphy said in a news release. “I am humbled and honored to join their advisory board in order to help them expand access to higher education for even more Tennesseans, who I know will benefit from the high-quality degree programs offered that are directly applicable to professional career growth and development, paving the way for career advancement opportunities.”
The other Tri-Cities member of WGU Tennessee’s Advisory Board is David A. Golden, retired senior vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary of Eastman Chemical Co.
WGU Tennessee is an online, nonprofit, competency-based university established to expand Tennesseans’ access to higher education. Formed through a partnership between the state of Tennessee and Western Governors University, WGU Tennessee is open to all qualified state residents.
The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the career fields of business, K–12 teacher education, information technology and health professions, including nursing.
