Ballad Health’s recent recognition by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) – which accredited us as a Network of Excellence – included some impressive distinctions for many of our surgeons, team members and hospitals, all centered around our commitment to great outcomes through robotic surgery.
SRC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to patient safety. The organization named three Ballad Health hospitals as Centers of Excellence; designated 23 physicians as Surgeons of Excellence and four of those as Master Surgeons; and named 10 team members from Bristol Regional Medical Center as Robotic Care Specialists.
Ballad Health has invested heavily in expanding robotic-assisted surgery across the region. Ballad Health now operates 18 da Vinci systems and five Ion robotic platforms, totaling 23 robotic systems across 10 hospitals.
“We’re exceptionally proud of this distinction from the Surgical Review Corporation,” said Brad Price, Ballad Health’s senior vice president of regional operations and service line development. “It’s definitely a team effort, and we’re especially proud of our team members and physicians who earned special recognition.
“Robotic-assisted surgery really does make a difference in patient outcomes, and these team members are the ones on the front lines who are making it happen for us. When you talk about creating a culture of excellence and delivering high quality to our patients – that’s what these folks do every day.”
Congratulations to every facility team and individual who achieved SRC recognition!
Here’s a look at the honorees:
Three hospitals were selected as Centers of Excellence:
- Bristol Regional Medical Center
- Franklin Woods Community Hospital
- Holston Valley Medical Center
Centers of Excellence designation recognizes facilities and medical professionals that provide exceptional care. These centers are dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence and are committed to continuous improvement in quality and patient safety.
Ballad Health had 23 physicians recognized as Surgeons of Excellence, with four of them earning the distinction of Master Surgeons.
Surgeon of Excellence is awarded to surgeons practicing at an SRC-accredited Center of Excellence. These surgeons demonstrate a commitment to delivering high-quality care, adhering to rigorous standards and ensuring optimal patient outcomes and patient experience.
Master Surgeon is an advanced individual distinction recognizing the highest level of surgical expertise and outcomes. This designation is awarded following a rigorous evaluation of surgical performance, patient safety and continuous quality improvement. Physicians are assessed on experience, standardization of clinical pathways, equipment and instruments, consultative services and patient education.
Master Surgeon accreditation is independent of facility accreditation.
Master Surgeons
- Benjamin Scharfstein Jr., MD
- John Vance, DO
- Kenneth E. Cutshall, MD
- John F. Robertson, MD
Franklin Woods Community Hospital – Surgeons of Excellence
- Kenneth E. Cutshall, MD
- Michael Cutshall, MD
- Chad Drey, MD, FACOG
- Andrew Garrett, MD, FACS
- Jott Hallman, DO, FACOG
- Michael J. Hodge, MD
- Grover May, MD, FACOG
- Rebecca Odom, MD
- John F. Robertson, MD
- William B. Rogers, MD
- Phillip Stokes, MD
- Wayne Tongco, MD
Bristol Regional Medical Center – Surgeons of Excellence
- Ashley Blevins, MD
- Sidney Collins, MD
- Paige Furrow, MD
- Eugene McClintic, MD
- Jessica McCracken, DO
- Benjamin Scharfstein Jr., MD
- Jake Sides, MD
- John Vance, DO
Holston Valley Medical Center – Surgeons of Excellence
- Edward Gray, MD
- Elizabeth M. Jackson, MD
- Andrew P. Kramer, DO
In addition, Bristol Regional Medical Center had a team recognized as Robotic Care Specialists. This accreditation recognizes elite allied health team members who excel in patient care.
Bristol Regional Medical Center – Robotic Care Specialists
- Brittany Brown, RN
- Sarah Caron, RN
- Dave Fabel, RN
- George Ferrell, CSFA
- Chelsea Fugate, CST
- Patricia Hill, CSFA
- Sydney Markland, CSFA
- Nikisa Nichols, CST
- Teresa Rodefer, RN
- Zachary Stidham, CSFA
