BRISTOL, Tenn. – Marsh Regional Blood Center is partnering with Bristol Motor Speedway to host the 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive, continuing a quarter-century of community tradition while honoring the victims and heroes of Sept. 11, 2001. This year’s milestone drive will take place on Friday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bristol Motor Speedway (Entrance 1 North). The annual tribute at Bristol Motor Speedway has united donors, first responders and community members in a shared act of remembrance and lifesaving generosity. During the event’s history, thousands of units of blood have been collected, directly impacting patients throughout the region. All participating donors will receive a limited-edition T-shirt and tumbler. Walk-ins are welcome. “In the weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, people wanted to help in whatever way they could, so they came out in droves to give blood,” said Steffanie Sukel, director of Marsh Regional. “We wanted to honor that selflessness, so we…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The 2026 Academics and Research Summit is set for Friday, Sept. 18, at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center. This year’s theme is “Healthy Futures for a Healthier Region” The agenda includes speakers throughout the day, including a keynote presentation by Deniece Thomas, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Click here to register or for more information. The fourth annual event is designed for team members, academic affiliates, workforce development partners and economic developers who want to learn more about the academic initiatives and research taking place across the Appalachian Highlands. For questions, email janet.mccolley@balladhealth.org.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Eligible patients can receive a free first-time low-dose CT lung cancer screening through Ballad Health from Sept. 1, 2026, through Jan. 29, 2027. The quick, non-invasive screening can help detect lung cancer earlier, when treatment is often most effective. “We received a tremendous response when we previously offered free low-dose CT scans,” said Dr. Shari K. Rajoo, chief medical officer for population health at Ballad Health. “Thousands of people completed their first lung cancer screening, and many told us they would not have been screened otherwise. We encourage anyone who may qualify to talk with their healthcare provider about whether screening is right for them. It is important to continue screening as recommended each year as long as you qualify. This greatly improves the chance of detecting cancer early over time.” “We encourage anyone who may qualify to talk with their healthcare provider about whether screening is right for them. It…

NOTE: September is Sepsis Awareness Month. Be on the lookout for more sepsis-related articles each week in Ballad Health News this month, including an interactive quiz. Many people have heard of sepsis, but misconceptions remain about where it comes from and who is affected. Some think sepsis only happens in hospitals or only affects older adults and people with serious health conditions. In reality, it can develop from common infections and affect anyone, including people who were previously healthy. Understanding what sepsis is and recognizing when an infection may be getting worse can help people know when to seek medical care. Sepsis happens when the body’s response to an infection begins to work against it, causing damage to organs and other tissues. It is not an infection itself. Instead, it is a complication that can develop from infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin infections and other illnesses. One common misconception is that sepsis…

The Wellness Center in Johnson City is offering a virtual personal training program that connects participants with a real trainer at the center, enabling them to have a customized training plan even if they can’t come to the center for workout sessions. It combines a fitness and workout app with a personal, one-on-one approach to training that includes not just workouts but also diet and nutrition. Using the app also helps keep people accountable as they work the program. “This gives people a customized program right at their fingertips that can help them on their wellness journey,” said Amy Mooney, wellness coach. “It connects people with a real trainer – it’s not just with an app that’s created by AI – so people are actually being supervised by a real person who can set and meet fitness and wellness goals.” All trainers are certified. The program is open to anyone, so you don’t have to…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — Holston Valley Medical Center invites the community to a special Open House event on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the hospital’s main lobby. The event will give community members an opportunity to meet the hospital’s new CEO, Kevin Rinks, and the team members who provide care, as well as learn more about services and explore the latest medical technology and innovation. “We’re excited to welcome our neighbors through our doors and give them a closer look at the people and services that make Holston Valley such an important part of this community,” said Rinks, who became CEO of Holston Valley and Indian Path Community Hospital in March 2026. “Our team works every day to provide high-quality care close to home, and this event is a great opportunity for our community to meet the people behind that care.” During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with…

Enhanced technology and care coordination help patients access the right care faster while strengthening regional operations JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health has completed a nearly $8 million grant-funded expansion of its Clinical Command Center, strengthening the health system’s ability to coordinate patient transfers, deliver virtual care and support emergency operations and communications across the Appalachian Highlands. The expanded facility further enhances Ballad Health’s ability to provide high-quality technology-enabled care while strengthening its Regional Medical Communications Center, one of only seven state-designated centers in Tennessee responsible for coordinating emergency medical communications and patient bed placement across the region. Opened in 2022, the Clinical Command Center serves as Ballad Health’s centralized hub for patient flow, transfer coordination, regional communications and technology-enabled care. By integrating these services into a single, systemwide network, the center helps connect patients to the right level of care more quickly while improving coordination across Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and the surrounding areas…