We’re 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. Steven Baumrucker
Dr. Steven Baumrucker, medical director for the palliative medicine service line for Ballad Health, is known for treating everyone with compassion, humility and respect.
He is always able to connect with his patients on a personal level, doing everything he can to make them feel at ease during difficult discussions. Dr. Baumrucker makes himself available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for all his team members and patients. He fosters relationships with other providers and team members to ensure great camaraderie and communication among his team.
During the merger to create Ballad Health, Dr. Baumrucker went to great lengths to ensure a smooth transition for the palliative medicine teams, especially in helping legacy Mountain States team members learn a new medical record system. He made sure team members had all the support they needed as they transitioned from Soarian to Epic, making them feel valued and easing their fear of learning a new system.
He serves on multiple committees that serve the medical community and public, including the Johnson City Medical Center and Holston Valley Medical Center ethics committees and the controlled substance advisory committee.
He also goes above and beyond to share his clinical experience with others in the profession, serving as preceptor to medical students, nurse practitioner students and residents at both East Tennessee State University and Lincoln Memorial University. He serves as associate editor-in-chief of both the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Home Health Care Management and Practice, and has published more than 100 articles in various publications to provide ongoing education to the medical community.
Respect is always at the forefront of Dr. Baumrucker’s actions, as he practices with the highest ethical standards. He is honest, caring and has compassion for the mind, body and spirit of every person he encounters. All these attributes demonstrate his servant’s heart!
Watch this inspiring video below about Dr. Baumrucker, or you can also access it on YouTube here.
See profiles on our other Servant’s Heart winners this year:
