The latest cohort of Ballad Health’s Aspiring Leader Program graduated recently. The program is administered by Organizational Development and helps develop introductory leadership skills for team members who aspire to become leaders or who show leadership potential at Ballad Health. Team members must be nominated for the class by a leader in the organization, and the program requires a participation commitment by the aspiring leaders and their supervisor. Congratulations to the latest graduating class! This cohort completed a five-month program of in-person classroom training. Graduates learn leadership skills that can assist in bridging the gap from their current role to a leadership role. The curriculum includes topics and skills such as: For questions, contact Cianda Smith in Organizational Development at Cianda.smith@balladhealth.org. For leaders across the system who want to nominate an Aspiring Leader, click here to access the nomination form.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — Ballad Health Medical Associates Center for Healthy Aging has been recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System – Committed to Care Excellence by The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), joining a growing network of organizations dedicated to improving care for older adults. The recognition comes at a time when the Appalachian Highlands is experiencing a significant demographic shift. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, older adults now outnumber children in Northeast Tennessee, increasing the need for healthcare services tailored to aging patients. Ballad Health Medical Associates is committed to meeting this demand by providing care that aligns with the needs and preferences of older adults. The program brings together primary and specialty care for older adults and helps them navigate their care, including managing medications, coordinating appointments and accessing community resources, along with support for emotional and social well-being. “We understand that every older adult is unique,…

Our latest Excellence in Leadership Cohort recently graduated, bringing together a dynamic group of leaders from across Ballad Health. This cohort included a diverse mix of professions – many stepping into leadership for the first time, alongside others who were newer leaders within our organization. That blend created a great environment for learning and connection. Participants not only built leadership skills, but also formed meaningful relationships and expanded their professional networks across departments. Throughout the program, the cohort explored key leadership topics, including the “6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team,” building and sustaining trust, navigating difficult conversations, and leading in alignment with Ballad Health’s values. These discussions, paired with real-world application, helped participants grow their confidence and effectiveness as leaders. One of the biggest takeaways? The connections. New friendships and ongoing support networks formed that will continue to strengthen collaboration across our system. “I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to participate in the…

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,…

National recognition reflects improved access, quality outcomes and sustained investment across the Appalachian Highlands JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Becker’s Hospital Review, a national news publication for the healthcare industry, has named Ballad Health Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Levine as one of its “2026 Great Leaders in Healthcare.” The national recognition highlights executives who are driving meaningful change, advancing care delivery and shaping the future of healthcare. Levine was selected alongside leaders from some of the country’s most prominent health systems – including Kaiser Permanente, Mount Sinai Health System and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – reflecting a distinguished group of executives leading innovation, improving access and strengthening care across communities nationwide. “Great healthcare leaders are proactive changemakers… building the future rather than passively waiting for it to arrive,” Becker’s wrote in announcing the list. Under Levine’s leadership, Ballad Health has become a nationally recognized model for rural healthcare transformation. Serving a region…

Article summary Read the full article Ballad Health has received national recognition for its outstanding development of nurses. The organization was recently honored with the ANCC Accreditation Premier Award through the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Nursing Continuing Professional Development Accreditation Program. This award is presented annually to fully accredited organizations recognized as exemplars in nursing continuing professional development (NCPD), demonstrating excellence in leveraging accreditation criteria to achieve strategic goals and advance nursing professional practice. “The Ballad Health Clinical Education team’s attainment of the ANCC Premier Award represents a significant milestone in advancing nursing professional development across the system,” said Leslee Collins, Ballad Health’s system director for clinical education. “This recognition reflects the team’s sustained dedication to elevating educational excellence and leveraging accredited learning to drive measurable improvements in clinical practice and patient outcomes.” Accredited organizations use evidence-based ANCC criteria to plan, implement and evaluate the highest quality NCPD activities. Awardees distinguish themselves by consistently performing…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – On April 28, an energetic and highly diverse group of professionals from across the system came together to celebrate their graduation from the Ballad Health Excellence in Leadership Program. This cohort brought a wide range of experiences, roles and perspectives – and that diversity became one of the program’s greatest strengths. Throughout the journey, participants actively shared ideas, challenges and insights from their day-to-day work. These conversations sparked fresh thinking and helped participants build new relationships across the system, creating connections that will continue well beyond the program. The Excellence in Leadership Program was developed for all leaders to attend upon promotion or hire. The program covers a broad mix of practical and impactful leadership topics. Participants explored key human resources concepts, strengthened their ability to build trust, and learned how to multiply the intelligence of their teams by empowering others and tapping into collective strengths. Each session encouraged reflection, discussion…

RICHMOND, Va. – Eddie Thomas, a longtime facility manager and one of Lee County Community Hospital’s longest-tenured team members, was honored at the Virginia Capitol for 50 years of service to public health and the Southwest Virginia community. Thomas was recognized with a formal resolution passed by both the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate, introduced by Sen. Todd Pillion and Del. Terry Kilgore, commending his decades of commitment, leadership and impact. The recognition comes as Thomas’ recent retirement from the hospital following a career that began in 1975 at what was then Lee Regional Medical Center. “Eddie Thomas represents the very best of Lee County – hardworking, humble and deeply committed to the people around him,” Pillion said. “For five decades, he has gone above and beyond to ensure this hospital and this community were cared for. It is an honor to recognize Eddie for a lifetime of service that has truly made a…

Article summary Read the full article A new group of emerging and established leaders recently celebrated graduation from the Excellence in Leadership Program, marking the successful completion of an intensive five-week leadership development experience. Though smaller in size, the cohort represented a wide range of roles across the organization, including clinical leaders, corporate professionals, and support departments. This diversity enriched the learning experience and fostered a dynamic environment for collaboration, discussion, and shared problem-solving. Participants engaged in weekly interactive training sessions focused on strengthening both practical leadership skills and strategic thinking. Topics included finance fundamentals, human resources, high reliability and creating a culture of trust – core competencies for leaders navigating today’s complex work environment. Highlights of the program included DiSC for Managers training, which helped leaders better understand their own behavioral styles and adapt their approach to more effectively motivate and support their teams. The cohort also explored key FranklinCovey principles, including the “6…

The Ballad Health American Heart Association Training Center has been honored nationally with the 2025 American Heart Association All-Star Award. The distinction honors top-tier American Heart Association (AHA) training centers for exceptional quality, compliance and commitment to CPR and emergency cardiovascular education, and recognizes organizations setting high standards in training. The center is one of the largest in the Appalachian Highlands region, offering a variety of AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) courses. Courses are for Ballad Health team members, businesses and the broader community. Ballad Health earned the honor by demonstrating “exceptional dedication to the Heart Association’s mission by consistently delivering high-quality CPR education, following ECC Guidelines, and elevating the standard of lifesaving training in your communities,” according to the AHA. “You’ve proven that your team sets the bar for what it means to operate an exemplary American Heart Association Training Center,” the AHA stated. “It symbolizes the real-world impact…

Justine Hill is a great example of someone who simply can’t stop helping others – even in “retirement.” She has dedicated more than 43 years to Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tennessee, retiring from full-time work as risk management director, but she continues to consult and assist on various projects, and serves as a patient experience liaison. She currently works three days a week, triaging patient concerns and requests so other liaisons can focus on rounding on their inpatients – embodying what it truly means to be a patient advocate. Justine recognized the need for a reliable avenue for patients and families to voice concerns or request assistance, so she took on the responsibility of managing the patient feedback line, including evenings and weekends. Her dedication is unmatched as she responds to concerns promptly and effectively. Few people would give up their personal time to help others, but for Justine, it‘s a testament to…

Greta Morrison is the administrator and chief nursing officer (CNO) at Russell County Hospital in Lebanon, Virginia, a position she has held since 2019. She is highly respected as a leader at the hospital, but also continues to provide hands-on care in numerous ways. After working as a nurse in the emergency department for 18 years – including serving as nurse manager in the ED and in the intensive care unit – she stepped into the administrator and CNO roles, but Greta still often fills in as a nurse on the floor when needed. She is known as a strong advocate for her team members, working hard to provide them with the equipment, supplies and training they need. She is always looking for ways to improve the hospital, whether it’s through updating equipment or enhancing the overall appearance of the facility. She cares for her team members and often goes above and beyond for them…