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Northeast State Community College students design, build, donate special chair for pediatric orthopedic patients

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…

Mahoney’s Outfitters sale on Friday, Nov. 6, benefits Ballad Health Auxiliary

Mahoney’s Outfitters in Johnson City will be hosting its Ballad Health Employee Appreciation Event on Friday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a portion of sales benefiting the Ballad Health Auxiliary. Team members can get a 10% discount on all regular-priced clothing and footwear by showing their Ballad Health ID badge. Payroll deduction is available store-wide (including for firearms, safes and ammunition; only a background check fee would be due at purchase). 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! For more information about Mahoney’s Outfitters, call 423-282-5413 or visit mahoneysports.com. Mahoney’s is located at 830 Sunset Drive in Johnson City.

Final reminder: Flu vaccination deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 4

The deadline to receive the flu vaccination is Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m., unless a medical exemption or religious accommodation was approved during the exemption window. Team Member Health locations are currently offering flu vaccinations for Ballad Health team members. Per Ballad Health’s Mandatory Influenza Vaccine Policy (BD-000-032-BH), the flu vaccination is mandatory for all team members, physicians, students, and volunteers unless they received an approved exemption. Anyone who received an approved exemption or accommodation will be required to wear a mask throughout flu season, which typically runs from November through April. Receiving your flu vaccination In addition to receiving a flu vaccination through Team Member Health, team members may receive their vaccination from their primary care provider or another vaccination location, including Ballad Health retail pharmacies. If your flu vaccine is administered outside of Team Member Health, documentation must be provided to Team Member Health no later than 4 p.m. today. Documentation must…

B Excellent Tuesday Tip: The impact of gratitude on team culture

NOTE: This message was emailed to Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, Nov. 3: Dear Colleague,  November is a fitting time to begin the B Thankful skill in the ‘Impact of You’ program. Gratitude can be easy to think of as a simple “thank you,” but its impact can go much further. Taking time to recognize the people around us and acknowledge the difference they make can strengthen relationships, create a more positive environment and help build a culture where team members know their contributions are valued. This week’s tip Gratitude in a Corporate Environment Tip #1: Impact of Gratitude on Team Culture Gratitude has the power to change how we experience our work and how others experience working alongside us. When people know their efforts are seen and appreciated, it creates a sense of connection and reminds them that what they contribute matters. Over time, those moments of recognition can help create a more…

Ballad Health News Podcast: Excellence Awards extension, flu shot deadline, Diabetes Symposium and more

Here’s the latest Ballad Health News Podcast, covering news from Oct. 26 to Oct. 30: 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.

Reminder: Today (Tuesday, Nov. 3) is Election Day; let your voice be heard!

State and Federal General Elections for Virginia and Tennessee are today (Tuesday, Nov. 3). Ballad Health encourages every team member to get out and vote! Virginia Tennessee Questions? If you have additional questions, contact the Ballad Health Office of Community & Government Relations at lori.stout@balladhealth.org. Every vote counts, so let your voice be heard through the ballot!

4 p.m. update: Systemwide software disruption has been resolved

NOTE: This message was released at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29. Ballad Health has identified and resolved a disruption affecting several of its software systems at facilities and Ballad Health Medical Associates clinics. Our Information Technology team has restored the software systems quickly and safely. Facility and Ballad Health Medical Associates teams will continue working directly with patients whose care may be affected or interrupted by the disruption. We are grateful to our team members, who responded with patience and an unwavering focus on caring for patients throughout the downtime, and we thank our patients, families and community for their patience and understanding. Patients who need assistance rescheduling an appointment or service should call 833-8-BALLAD (225523). Ballad Health’s Corporate Emergency Operations Center will remain activated to support the health system until 5 p.m.

Excellence Awards project submission deadline extended through Tuesday, Nov. 3

Due to the systemwide outage affecting Epic and numerous other Ballad Health systems, the deadline for Excellence Awards project submissions has been extended to Tuesday, Nov. 3, at midnight. The previous deadline for submissions was today (Thursday, Oct. 29). If you’ve been involved in a performance improvement project at Ballad Health, this is your chance to be recognized. Click here to access the submission form. Note: You must be on a Ballad Health network device to access the submission link. You can also find the submission form on the Ballad Health intranet main page under “Quick Links” or by clicking the Excellence Awards banner at the top of the page. The awards event will take place in March of 2027. Resources to assist in submitting projects Resources are available to help team members understand what is required when submitting a Ballad Health Excellence Awards project. (You can find these documents on the Quality Department’s intranet…

Update on systemwide Ballad Health outage

This update was released at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29: Since about 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, Ballad Health has been experiencing a disruption affecting several of its software systems. The Ballad Health Information Technology team is actively working to understand the issue and safely restore all affected systems. As of 11 a.m., Ballad Health activated its Corporate Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response. Facilities and Ballad Health Medical Associates clinics are following established downtime procedures, and additional physicians and staff have been called in to support patient care. Facility teams are also working directly with patients whose care may be affected or interrupted by the disruption. All Ballad Health emergency departments remain open. If you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department. The safety and care of our patients remain our top priority. We will provide our next update at 4 p.m. ET.

Scarecrow Skedaddle & Shindig celebrates another year of fall family fun

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Our community welcomed autumn last weekend with another memorable Scarecrow Skedaddle & Shindig! This event has become an annual tradition for our region, providing a chance for community members to get together for an afternoon of fall family fun. The modified race is the event’s signature feature, ensuring that children of all ability levels can participate in the day’s activities. Teams from East Tennessee State University Buccaneer athletics also joined to cheer the racers along the way! Hundreds of participants joined in for the day’s races, which included the modified race, a 5K and 1-mile fun run. The following Shindig brought everyone together at the ETSU Ballad Health Athletic Center for a fun-filled afternoon with special activities, vendors, fall treats and more. This event wouldn’t have been possible without our partnerships with The Goose Chase and ETSU. We’re proud to make this event an annual tradition that brings our community together!…

Ballad Health update on BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Ballad Health has been, and remains, committed to negotiating in good faith with our long-term partner, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, to reach an updated provider agreement for its commercial, Exchange, TennCare and Medicare Advantage products while protecting access to care for the people, employers and communities we serve. Currently, Ballad Health also uses BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee to provide administrative services for its own employees, who are self-insured by Ballad Health. Health systems across the country, including Ballad Health, are facing several imminent challenges, including: an increasing number of individuals leaving the insurance exchanges and becoming uninsured due to the elimination of enhanced premium subsidies by the federal government; major cuts to the Medicaid directed payment program for hospitals, which disproportionately impact rural regions, set to begin in January 2028 under the provisions of HR 1, otherwise referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill”; rising inflationary costs of supplies and medications; and increased subsidies…

Diabetes Symposium set for Nov. 20 at Bristol Regional

BRISTOL, Tenn. – The 23rd annual Diabetes Symposium will be held on 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.