For the next few weeks, we will be putting the spotlight on our winners of the Scott and Nikki Niswonger Servant’s Heart Award, Ballad Health’s highest award. It was created to honor team members, physicians and volunteers who display the heart of a servant by going above and beyond the normal call of duty in helping others at work and in the community.
The award was named in honor of Scott and Nikki Niswonger. Scott is a Greeneville businessman and philanthropist who is the chief benefactor of the Niswonger Children’s Hospital in Johnson City, and a member of the Ballad Health board of directors. The Niswongers have a long history of serving others throughout the region, with a strong focus on education highlighted by the creation of The Niswonger Foundation.
We’ve also started our nominations for next year’s winners; to make a nomination, click here.
Dr. Haytham Adada
Dr. Haytham Adada is a driving force in providing care to some of the most critical patients in the region. Working primarily at Johnston Memorial Hospital, he serves the critical care unit (CCU) and intensive care unit (ICU) and has helped guide those teams through the COVID-19 pandemic. On days he is not scheduled at Johnston Memorial, quite often he will work in the ICUs at Johnson City Medical Center or Holston Valley Medical Center.
Dr. Adada’s commitment to quality healthcare is evident, and his compassionate spirit spreads across the Appalachian Highlands. His coworkers say that, as he leads teams of nurses and technicians through high-pressure and life-saving procedures, he never loses his patience. He is known for his calm and compassionate bedside manner and willingness to listen to the patient.
When the pandemic limited visitation in hospitals, Dr. Adada would call families to give them status updates about their loved ones, often staying late and taking time out of his busy schedule to do so. He leads in multiple capacities in Ballad Health. Dr. Adada sits on many boards and committees, and he sets an example for the family and internal medicine students and residents he teaches, and they love to work with him because of his excellent teaching and interpersonal skills.
Dr. Adada leads by example, serving and helping those around him. He is a hero to his patients and colleagues, day after day.
Watch this inspiring video below about Dr. Adada, or you can also access it on YouTube here.
