Here are some of our latest clinicians to join Ballad Health:
Jessica Jennings, FNP-C, joins Ballad Health Cancer Care in Abingdon, Marion
MARION, Va. – Jessica Jennings, FNP-C, has joined Ballad Health Cancer Care – Abingdon, a department of Russell County Hospital, and Ballad Health Cancer Care – Marion, a department of Smyth County Community Hospital, where she will provide comprehensive oncology and hematology services.
Jennings’ services include hematology, infusion therapy and oncology treatment, further expanding access to high-quality cancer care for patients across Southwest Virginia.
“My interest in medicine was inspired by my mother, who always cared for family and friends during times of illness or hospitalization,” she said. “Watching her compassion and dedication to helping others influenced my desire to pursue a career in healthcare.”
Jennings earned a family nurse practitioner degree and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from King University in Bristol. She is board-certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Jennings is seeing patients at Ballad Health Cancer Care – Abingdon, 16000 Johnston Memorial Drive, Abingdon, Virginia, and Ballad Health Cancer Care – Marion, 245 Medical Park Drive, Marion, Virginia.
For more information, call 276-258-1880 for Abingdon or 276-679-5874 for Marion, or visit balladhealth.org.
Katie Thorpe, DO, joins BHMA Pediatrics — Greene Mountain
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Katie Thorpe, DO, has joined Ballad Health Medical Associates Pediatrics – Greene Mountain, a department of Greeneville Community Hospital, where she will specialize in pediatrics.
Dr. Thorpe’s services include same-day appointments, immunizations, newborn care, preventive care, sick visits, sports physicals and well-child visits.
“Being a pediatrician is a blessing because I can positively impact a child’s health and future,” she said.
Dr. Thorpe earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate. She completed a pediatrics residency at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. She is board-certified as a pediatrician by the American Board of Pediatrics.
Dr. Thorpe is seeing patients at Ballad Health Medical Associates Pediatrics – Greene Mountain, 428 E. Vann Road, Greeneville. For more information, call 423-278-1950 or visit balladhealth.org.
Ali Mahdavi, MD, joins BHMA Women’s Cancer Services in Kingsport
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Ali Mahdavi, MD, has joined Ballad Health Medical Associates Women’s Cancer Services. He specializes in gynecologic oncology and minimally invasive and robotic surgical care for complex gynecologic cancers.
“A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but no woman should face it alone,” Dr. Mahdavi said. “My goal is to combine the most advanced surgical and medical treatments with compassionate, personalized care so every patient has the best possible chance for a successful outcome and the confidence to move forward.”
Dr. Mahdavi is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist and fellowship-trained in minimally invasive and robotic surgery. After completing residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Providence Hospital/Wayne State University School of Medicine, Dr. Mahdavi completed fellowship training in minimally invasive and robotic surgery at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He then completed a four-year research and clinical fellowship training in gynecologic oncology at the University of California Irvine School of Medicine.
Dr. Mahdavi completed a minimally invasive surgery fellowship in addition to advanced gynecologic oncology training. For more than 20 years, he has treated women with cancers of the uterus, ovaries, cervix, vulva and non-cancer complex gynecologic diseases. His expertise includes minimally invasive surgery using both robotic and conventional laparoscopy for gynecologic cancers. He also has a particular focus on cytoreductive and debulking surgery to achieve optimal outcomes for women with advanced ovarian cancer.
Dr. Mahdavi provides advanced ovarian cancer treatment, including intraperitoneal chemotherapy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). He uses innovative surgical techniques including robotic lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy for uterine and cervical cancers. Dr. Mahdavi was an early advocate and adopter of robotic lymphatic mapping for endometrial cancer, beginning in 2011. He utilizes chemotherapy in addition to recent advances in targeted and personalized therapies, includingimmunotherapy to treat gynecologic cancers.
Dr. Mahdavi has served as a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Drexel University College of Medicine and currently serves as an Associate Professor at ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine. Dr. Mahdavi has a special interest in medical education and has taught gynecologic surgery and oncology to resident physicians and medical students.
Dr. Mahdavi is seeing patients at Ballad Health Medical Associates Women’s Cancer Services, 2202 John B. Dennis Highway, Suite 204, Kingsport. For more information, call 423-245-1040 or visit balladhealth.org.
Lori Mullins, PA-C, joins BHMA Spine & Rehabilitation Clinic in Big Stone Gap
BIG STONE GAP, Va. – Lori Mullins, PA-C, has joined Ballad Health Medical Associates Spine and Rehabilitation – Big Stone Gap, a department of Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, where she will specialize in spine and rehabilitation.
Her services include the treatment of back pain, bursitis, degenerative disc disease, joint pain, myofascial pain, radiculopathy, sciatica, spinal arthritis and spinal stenosis.
“I want my patients to feel comfortable and cared for when they see me,” she said. “My goal is to understand each patient’s unique story, so they feel heard and valued and create an individualized plan that meets their specific needs and challenges.”
Mullins earned a Master of Medical Science from the Physician Assistant Program at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is board-certified as a physician assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Mullins is seeing patients at Ballad Health Medical Associates Spine & Rehabilitation, 1980 Holton Avenue East, Suite 301, Big Stone Gap, Virginia. For more information, call 276-523-8973 or visit www.balladhealth.org.
