KINGSPORT – You could say Greg Laughlin, an engineering tech at Holston Valley Medical Center, comes from a family of dedicated healthcare workers.
Three generations of Greg’s family, including both his parents, grandparents and aunts, have served at Ballad Health in some capacity, and more specifically at Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital dating back to at least the 1980s.
“My dad, Terry, worked as security manager at Indian Path, and my mom, Sandy, did clinicals at Holston Valley and then worked in oncology ortho/neuro and finally at the birthing unit at Indian Path,” Greg said. “My grandmother was a radiology transcriptionist, and my aunt also worked in med-surg. My cousin Braden is also currently serving as an engineering tech at Holston Valley alongside me.”
Greg said it was inspiring to see his family dedicate their careers to serving Ballad Health, where both his parents worked for more than 20 years.
“My mom and dad met each other at Indian Path while working there. Oftentimes, one (parent) worked days and one worked nights, so I like to say that I basically grew up there,” Greg said. “I remember when I was little, one time my dad took me to work, and I was checking exit signs with him. When I was a kid, whoever wasn’t working would sometimes have lunch with the one who was working, and I would be there as well. A lot of people over there still know me. I visit them every so often, and they still recognize me.
“I have multiple healthcare providers in my family in many different fields of healthcare. … We’re just a really healthcare-oriented family.” – Greg Laughlin
“Healthcare just goes in my family,” Greg added. “I have multiple healthcare providers in my family in many different fields of healthcare. Many of us serve as volunteers on the Kingsport Lifesaving Crew, including myself, my parents, grandparents as well as my cousin. My grandfather was an EMT and dispatcher. We’re just a really healthcare-oriented family.”
Greg attended elementary and middle school in Kingsport and graduated from Sullivan South High School as one of the last graduating classes before the school merged into West Ridge High. Following high school, Greg attended the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Elizabethton during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He graduated in April 2021, earning his associate’s degree in applied sciences, specializing in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration.
Greg has been a Ballad Health team member since January 2023, working in preventative maintenance. He said he works on ice machines, the MDU (Microwave Decontamination Unit), and he’s also being trained to maintain the medical air system and air handlers.
“I’ve loved it so far,” Greg said. “The people have been my favorite thing, being able to work with Chris, Brandon and many others in engineering. They’ve all been very helpful.”
Outside of work, Greg serves as a youth leader at Homeland Baptist Church and as a volunteer for the Kingsport Lifesaving Crew, a job he’s volunteered for since his early teens.
“I just love working with my hands and learning new stuff,” he said. “I have a constant thirst for knowledge.”
