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Phishing awareness: An important reminder regarding Microsoft outage

NOTE: This message was emailed to Ballad Health team members on Friday, Nov. 13, from John Peterson, Ballad Health’s interim chief information security officer: Dear Colleagues, As Microsoft continues to work through the current outage across the U.S., please be aware that cybercriminals often take advantage of situations like this by sending phishing emails designed to create urgency and confusion. Please use extra caution with any email, text or message that: Before you click, think twice. If you’re unsure whether a message is legitimate, do not respond, click links or enter your credentials. If you receive a suspicious message: Thank you for helping protect Ballad Health’s systems, data and patients by staying vigilant. John Peterson, CISSP, CCSP Interim Chief Information Security Officer

ETSU Health and Ballad Health to host free Community Baby Shower in Elizabethton

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – Expecting parents and growing families are invited to attend a free Community Baby Shower on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at ETSU Health Ballad Health Pediatrics – Elizabethton, a department of Johnson City Medical Center. Hosted by ETSU Health and Ballad Health, the event will connect expectant parents and families with educational resources and healthcare professionals to help them prepare for a healthy pregnancy and the arrival of their newest family member. “It has been such a joy to watch our young patients grow and to build lasting relationships with families throughout Elizabethton and the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Jessica Jones, an ETSU Health pediatrician. “Welcoming a new baby is exciting – and sometimes a little overwhelming, too. Our Community Baby Shower will be a great opportunity to celebrate your growing family, discover helpful resources and network with families sharing similar experiences. Whether you’re already a patient at…

Reminder: Diabetes Symposium set for Nov. 20 at Bristol Regional; registration deadline is Nov. 13

BRISTOL, Tenn. — The 23rd annual Diabetes Symposium will be held Friday, Nov. 20, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. The event lasts from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Deadline for registration is Friday, Nov. 13. The event can be attended in person or virtually. Click here for more information or to register. Who should attend The event is designed for healthcare professionals seeking practical tools, evidence-based guidance and opportunities to connect with others dedicated to advancing diabetes care. Any interested physicians, nurse practitioners, registered and licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, registered dietitians, pharmacists and other health professionals are encouraged to participate. Registration Educational credits are available. See more details below on topics and speakers.

From Alan Levine: Strengthening safety and support for our team members, patients and visitors

NOTE: This message was emailed to Ballad Health team members from Alan Levine, Ballad Health CEO and chairman, on Nov. 10. Dear Colleague, Amid a surge in violence against healthcare workers nationally, Ballad Health announced today additional steps it is taking to protect its workforce. A 2025-26 national survey of registered nurses, as reported by Security Magazine, found that nearly 85% of respondents experienced at least one workplace violence incident in the previous year, with more than 36% reporting increased violence on their unit. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare and social assistance workers accounted for 72.8% of nonfatal workplace violence incidents across private industry in 2021 and 2022. Over the 10-year period from 2011-2022, hospitals have seen violence against workers increase by nearly triple.  Ballad Health has seen similar trends, with 1,541 recorded workplace violence incidents in 2025 alone – an increase of nearly 19% over the previous year – including…

Ballad Health app update brings access to the latest MyChart features

Ballad Health is updating its app to provide a more user-friendly experience and give users access to the latest MyChart features as they become available. The new app experience will be available starting today, Nov. 10. The app will have a different look and feel, but if you or your patients already use the Ballad Health app, there’s no need to download a new app or create a new MyChart account. Users will simply update the Ballad Health app they already have, and their MyChart account information will remain unchanged. Why it matters For patients, the update enables access to new MyChart features as they’re released, all within the app they already know. For team members, understanding the change will help you answer patient questions with confidence and reassure them that their MyChart account information is not changing. If you use the Ballad Health app for your own care, you’ll benefit from the same improvements….

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: Creating a culture of gratitude

NOTE: This message was emailed to Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Dear Colleague,  Gratitude can have a powerful impact on the way we work together and care for others. When we take time to recognize the contributions of our teammates, we help create stronger connections, reinforce that people and their work are valued and set a tone of appreciation that can carry into the way we serve our patients and communities. This week’s tip Gratitude in a Corporate Environment Tip #2: Creating a Culture of Gratitude Creating a culture of gratitude means making appreciation more than a one-time gesture. It’s about creating an atmosphere where gratitude is consistently expressed, noticed, and valued. That takes effort, time and commitment from all of us. Here are three ways we can help build that culture: Call to Action: Model one simple action this week that shows appreciation to a teammate. A sincere thank-you, a Culture…

Ballad Health News Podcast: Update on UnitedHealthcare, a look at our workforce investment, new clinicians and more

Here’s the latest Ballad Health News Podcast, covering news from Nov. 2 to Nov. 6: Please note the “Chapters” and “Transcript” functions for each podcast, which can be accessed from the three white bars on the top right corner of the podcast player. Users can see the topics included in the podcast and move ahead or back to specific sections, if desired. A transcript of the episode is also offered. This episode Podcasts can also be accessed at Balladhealthnews.org on the right side of the page, and from the intranet main page at the top right.

Update on BlueCross and BlueShield negotiations (11.9.26)

It has come to our attention that letters sent by BlueCross and BlueShield of Tennessee to their TennCare (BlueCare) customers suggest their customers’ physicians may not be accessible in the unfortunate event that Ballad Health is no longer a part of the BlueCare Network.   This is not accurate.    Individuals who access their coverage through TennCare may choose another plan, and may, of course, keep their doctors. Ballad Health and our Ballad Health Medical Associates physicians have been, and remain, in-network with all other TennCare plans being offered in the region. These plans include UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Tennessee and Wellpoint Tennessee. Ballad Health continues to negotiate in good faith with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee with the goal of finding agreement in all plans, including commercial, exchange, Medicare Advantage and BlueCare. Anyone eligible for TennCare who receives their coverage through TennCare will not lose TennCare regardless of the outcome of these negotiations. If Ballad Health and…

Southern Comfort Bedding sale in November benefits Ballad Health Auxiliary

Southern Comfort Bedding is holding a sale for team members in November, with 20% of all purchases benefiting the Ballad Health Auxiliary. The sale lasts from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30 and team members have the option to use payroll deduction. Visit www.southerncomfortbedding.com and scroll to the bottom of the checkout screen to find options for payroll deduction for hospital employees. The Ballad Health Auxiliary is a nonprofit organization that supports our hospitals through gift shops, coffee shops and other fundraisers. Proceeds benefit our patients and their families. The auxiliary also oversees our volunteer services, including pet therapy, shuttle services, cancer care aid, hospice assistance and much more! Southern Comfort Bedding offers cooling sheets, beach and pool towels, comforters, bundles, cotton sheets, cooling pillows, bath towel sets and more. Orders are shipped directly to the buyer’s home. Payment options include payroll deduction, PayPal and credit/debit.

Get to know some of the latest clinicians to join Ballad Health

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…

From Alan Levine: Update on UnitedHealthcare agreement and BlueCross negotiations

NOTE: This message was emailed to Ballad Health team members from Alan Levine, chairman and CEO, on Thursday, Nov. 5. Dear colleague, I am pleased to share that Ballad Health has reached a new, multi-year agreement with UnitedHealthcare, ensuring continued in-network access to our physicians, hospitals and services for people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage individual and Group Retiree plans. This is good news for our patients, particularly the seniors who count on us for care close to home. We appreciate UnitedHealthcare’s partnership in reaching an agreement that puts patients first. Meanwhile, negotiations with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee remain ongoing, with our current agreements set to expire Dec. 31, 2026. As we have throughout our longstanding relationship, we are working to reach a reasonable agreement that reflects the cost of providing care and protects access for patients. Any new agreement must also be sustainable for our hospitals and providers. If an agreement is not reached,…

How workforce investment is improving patient care at Ballad Health

Investments in team members, education and technology help strengthen workforce and improve care across the Appalachian Highlands The big picture: Ballad Health’s investment in its workforce has reduced its nursing turnover rate from 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic to below 12%. In a recent interview with Becker’s Hospital Review, Ballad Health Chairman and CEO Alan Levine shared how that shift has stabilized the system’s workforce, improved patient experience and strengthened its care for patients. By the numbers Why it matters Alan Levine on Ballad Health’s progress and priorities Building the workforce close to home Technology that supports patients and caregivers Learn more You can read Levine’s full interview with Becker’s Hospital Review here.

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