JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Students from Northeast State Community College’s engineering design class turned a class project into a gift that will benefit kids every day at Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Students designed and built the chair to specifically care for children recovering from hip dysplasia surgery. Children recovering from this surgery often wear a spica cast, which immobilizes the child’s lower body to allow proper healing. While necessary, the cast can make it difficult for children to do everyday activities, so students built this special chair to give these patients a place to sit, eat, play and interact with family during recovery. After students completed their prototype, local artist Leigh Ann brought the chair to life with colorful designs complete with playful animals. Each student took a moment to sign the underside of the chair before bringing it inside the hospital, where it will make patients’ days a little brighter for years to come. Donations…

ERWIN, Tenn. – Twenty-four dedicated students from Unicoi County High School’s Future Health Professionals chapter were honored Wednesday for their volunteer efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The students provided crucial assistance, demonstrating compassion, leadership and resilience during a time of great need, even while dealing with losses of their own. To recognize their hard work, a special ceremony and pizza party, catered by Rocky’s Pizza, was held in their honor. Teachers, administrators, Ballad Health representatives and local officials gathered to celebrate the students’ selfless contributions and commend their commitment to service. “When Hurricane Helene swept through our community, it left devastation in its wake — homes were damaged, families were displaced and many lives were changed forever,” said Jennifer Harrah, administrator of Unicoi County Hospital. “In the face of that hardship, these courageous students chose to step forward, and instead of standing by, they took action. “I know that for some of them,…

Just days before Christmas, the halls of Bristol Regional Medical Center were filled with the soothing and uplifting sounds of a grand piano, played by musician and producer Dane Bryant, whose a native of Bristol. Known for his collaborations with country music icons like Dolly Parton and Olivia Newton, Dane brought his talents to the hospital lobby in a heartfelt performance for his father, Bill Bryant, a patient at the facility, as well as for other patients, visitors and team members. The performance was made possible after Dane reached out to Ballad Health CEO Alan Levine, asking for permission to share his music with those in the hospital during the holiday season. Touched by Dane’s gesture, Levine readily agreed, ensuring the musician could use the piano stationed in the hospital’s lobby. As the holiday classics and familiar melodies filled the air a few days before Christmas, patients paused in their routines, team members gathered briefly…

CLINTWOOD, Va. — For the team at Dickenson Community Hospital, the passing of Patricia ‘Pat’ Schmidt, a beloved fellow team member, was like losing a member of their family. Pat served 17 years in environmental services, where she was admired for her hard work keeping the facility clean, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dickenson Community Hospital team recently gathered to dedicate the hospital’s breakroom in her name. The space includes a new shadowbox with sentimental items to honor her life. “Pat was the hardest working person at her age that I know. She gave it her all,” said Dickenson Community Hospital administrator Terri Roop. “This is where we gather as a family, and I want to dedicate this as ‘Pat’s Place.’” We are grateful for the essential work of our environmental services team members across Ballad Health and are touched to see this tribute to one who will be dearly missed.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Spread the love to Niswonger Children’s Hospital patients by sending them Valentine’s Day cards. Valentine’s cards that are filled out by community members will be distributed to all patients in the children’s hospital. Valentines must be filled out and submitted by noon on Sunday, Feb. 12.   “It might seem like a simple gesture, but things like Valentine’s cards can really brighten a child’s day, especially during a scary time like a hospital stay.” Paul Jett “This program has brought so much joy to our patients in the past, and we can’t wait to shower them with love again this year,” said Chris Jett, CEO of the Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network. “Nobody wants to spend a holiday in the hospital, but our community members always pitch in to bring as much joy as they can to our patients, and it’s heartwarming to see.” Community members who wish to fill out…

The team at Overmountain Recovery is committed to providing compassionate care and services for those on the path to recovery. We are proud of their generosity and dedication, which doesn’t stop at patient care. Overmountain Recovery team members recently hosted a food drive to provide assistance to those in need over holiday season. With donations from staff and the community, more than 75 families were served!

Thank you to everyone who supported our recent donation drive to assist those impacted by the devastating floods in Kentucky! This comes on the heels of our donation to flood victims in Buchanan County, Virginia, just a few weeks earlier — evidence of how giving our team members are when people are in need. Thanks to team member and community support, Ballad Health was able to make a donation of diapers and baby wipes to help families in the southeastern part of Kentucky that was heavily damaged by flooding in late July. The flooding resulted in 39 deaths, with many people losing their homes and possessions. Team members and community members were able to drop off donations at all Ballad Health locations. Along with the donated items, Ballad Health also worked with healthcare providers in the region to send needed medical equipment and other supplies. Team member Laura Roark, a nurse manager at Holston Valley…

Our Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network is collecting donations of baby diapers and wipes to aid in the relief efforts for those impacted by the flooding in Southeastern Kentucky. The flood drive concludes at the close of business on Wednesday, Aug. 10, and donations are still welcome and much-needed by those affected by the flooding. (Keep in mind, this is a separate donation drive from the one we did previously to assist flood victims in Buchanan County, Virginia.) Teams members can donate at any of our hospitals in the collection bins in your local HR department. Community members can drop off donations at all Ballad Health locations in Virginia, as well as at Holston Valley Medical Center and Bristol Regional Medical Center. NOTE: If you’re on a mobile device, click on the link below to see the informational flyer in PDF format.

Coming on the heels of the flooding we saw recently in Southwest Virginia, more flooding has devastated parts of Southeastern Kentucky. Our Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network is collecting donations of baby diapers and wipes to aid in the relief efforts. Teams members can donate at any of our hospitals in the collection bins in your local HR department until close of business on Wednesday, Aug. 10. Community members can drop off donations at all Ballad Health locations in Virginia, as well as at Holston Valley Medical Center and Bristol Regional Medical Center. NOTE: If you’re on a mobile device, click on the link below to see the informational flyer in PDF format.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – A successful joint effort between Ballad Health and Southern Appalachian Medical Management has resulted in strong outcomes for local patients – as well as a $50,000 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.  The effort began a year ago, when Ballad Health partnered with local orthopedic surgeons to improve patient care for all orthopedic patients in Ballad Health facilities. The surgeons, representing many local practices, had previously joined together as Southern Appalachian Medical Management (SAMM) to leverage their collective wisdom to streamline the care process. The collaboration between leaders from SAMM and Ballad Health now comprises the Orthopedic Executive Committee (OEC), with a unified goal to coordinate community initiatives and improve quality and value of care in the Appalachian Highlands. By aligning the administrative capabilities of Ballad Health with the patient care expertise of the surgeons, significant progress in patient outcomes were realized. Through instituting best care objectives across…

Just a reminder – team members are encouraged to wear red, where appropriate, on Friday, Feb. 4, as part of National Wear Red Day, to bring greater attention to heart disease as a leading cause of death for Americans. February is also recognized as American Heart Month. If you wear red on Friday, take a photo and send it to us so we can feature it on Ballad Health social media. Email photos to caroline.wright@balladhealth.org. Remember, heart disease is largely preventable. Here’s what you can do now to reduce your risk: Don’t smoke. Eat for heart health. Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days a week. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose. Thank you in advance for sharing your “Wear Red” photos and for doing your part to fight heart disease!