NOTE: The entry period for the drawing has now closed. BRISTOL, Tenn. – Ballad Health is giving away a limited number of tickets to our team members for the NASCAR Food City 500 races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 10-12, at Bristol Motor Speedway. All you have to do to enter is fill out the submission form below, providing us your name, non-Ballad Health email address, phone number and Ballad Health ID number, and you could be a winner! Click here to enter the giveaway. NOTE: The deadline for entering is Friday, April 3, at 2 p.m. Giveaway details Click here for more information about the Tennessee Army National Guard 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race & Bush’s Beans Qualifying on Friday. Click here for more information on Saturday’s Suburban Propane 300 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series CW & Bush’s Beans Qualifying. Click here for more information on the Food City 500 NASCAR Cup…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The 2026 Excellence Awards on March 12 celebrated improvement projects that have significantly benefited patients, team members and the organization, shining a light on the great work of dozens of teams from across the system. The awards banquet was held at MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, with more than 600 team members participating. A panel of experts evaluated 87 of the 102 submitted projects, recognizing top performers for their measurable impact on quality, safety, efficiency and innovation. “From bedside improvement to crisis response, excellence at Ballad Health is embedded in who we are,” said Dr. Amit Vashist, Ballad Health’s chief clinical officer. “These awards matter. Recognition builds belief. It reinforces that disciplined improvement changes culture.” Check out our photo gallery at the bottom of this article; a more extensive gallery of photos is also available for viewing and downloading. And the submission period for the 2027 Excellence Awards is now open!…

Article summary Read the full article JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Ballad Health Medical Associates Family Medicine – West Oakland, a department of Johnson City Medical Center, recently welcomed three new physicians — Bruce Winegar, DO; Eric Harman, MD; and Rebecca Jenkins, DO — who will offer comprehensive, family-focused primary care. Dr. Winegar was born and raised in Kingsport. His services include annual physicals, joint injections, immunizations and wellness exams, as well as the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes. “I am grateful to practice medicine in the community where I grew up and still call home,” Dr. Winegar said. “Primary care has always been my goal. Preventive care plays an important role in keeping individuals healthy and strengthening the community.” Dr. Winegar is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee, and completed his residency in…

Article summary Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a leading cause of preventable hospital deaths and readmissions nationwide. About 60% of post-surgical VTE cases occur after discharge – nearly half within the first week – with risk persisting for weeks to months. Up to 70% may be preventable through measures such as blood-thinning medications and compression stockings. Clinicians are encouraged to reassess VTE risk at discharge, educate patients on warning signs and consider extended prophylaxis for high-risk patients. Read the full article March is recognized as Blood Clot Awareness Month. Ballad Health’s Anticoagulation Stewardship Committee aims to highlight a crucial patient safety issue impacting many surgical patients: blood clots that form after leaving the hospital. Why this matters Research indicates that most post-surgical blood clots, known as venous thromboembolism or VTE, don’t occur during hospitalization. Studies consistently show around 60% of these clots happen after patients return home, with approximately 40% occurring within 30 days of discharge….

Ballad Health’s next Systemwide Grand Rounds takes place Tuesday, March 31, from noon to 1 p.m. and focuses on oncology care. It will be held at Johnson City Medical Center in Auditorium 3 on the seventh floor, with an option to attend virtually. Register now for this free, one-hour virtual seminar, which is worth 1 hour of CME/CNE credit. Click here for more information or to register for the event. This presentation will cover hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) a highly specialized cancer treatment used primarily for cancers that have spread within the abdominal cavity (peritoneal surface malignancies). ACCME statement: Ballad Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide CME for physicians and designates this activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Ballad Health is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Did you know there are more than 1,400 known species of human pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa? Each month, our Ballad Health infection prevention team is highlighting one of those pathogens, or something important in how we deal with those pathogens, that you might encounter in your work. See what you know, or can learn, about these “bugs” through our “Bug of the Month” series, and about how we can prevent spread! This month, we’re spotlighting what’s known as “wet time” or “kill time” – the amount of time a disinfectant must remain wet on a surface to effectively kill pathogens. If you have questions or want more information, please reach out to your infection preventionist. Click here to see the flier below in PDF format.

As we navigate the end of winter, don’t forget that Ballad Health Pharmacy offers walk-in testing and treatment for a variety of conditions. You can walk in without an appointment and receive testing – and a prescription or over-the-counter medication recommendation, if needed – for: Influenza Strep throat COVID-19 RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) * Tennessee locations only Urinary tract infection This service is available at all Ballad Health Pharmacy locations. Each test is a $50 flat fee. We will bill your pharmacy insurance for any medications prescribed by our pharmacist. In Tennessee, ages 13 and older can receive all rapid tests; the minimum age in Virginia is 18 for all tests. Call 423-926-6154 to confirm the age range for each test and to ask any questions you may have about pharmacy services. For more information about Ballad Health Pharmacy’s services, please visit www.balladhealth.org/medical-services/pharmacy. Pharmacy locations and hours: Johnston Memorial Hospital Cancer Center lobby 276-258-1990 Monday-Friday 9…

Expanded, two-story addition will provide private rooms and advanced neonatal care for families across the Appalachian Highlands JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health celebrated the grand opening of an expansion of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Niswonger Children’s Hospital with a press conference and ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a major milestone for children and families throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The $53 million project, funded through capital from Ballad Health, $22.2 million from the Ballad Health Foundation’s Hope Rising comprehensive capital campaign for pediatric needs and a $16.8 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Health, adds 43,000 square feet across two new floors. The expansion includes 48 private family rooms, specialized twin rooms, a new milk lab for advanced nutrition, and updated technology such as Panda Warmers to help regulate body temperature for premature and medically fragile infants. Past graduates of the former NICU opened the ceremony with an invocation, representing the…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Ballad Health’s Neuroscience Symposium will take place on Friday, March 20, at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center. The symposium, which runs from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and features leading experts in stroke treatment, interventional radiology and much more, is open to physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants or other healthcare professional interested in learning more about neuroscience in our region. Click here to register. This in-person event will feature educational presentations, discussions, and updates around the neuroscience service line, including various topics such as ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes, neurological assessments and the importance of timely treatment to enhance patient care. Continuing education credits will be offered. The cost to register is $30 for Ballad Health team members. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Ballad Health is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Ballad Health is accredited by the…

Rinks, who starts March 23, brings more than 15 years of healthcare leadership experience to the role KINGSPORT, Tenn. — Ballad Health has selected an experienced leader in healthcare to lead its hospital operations in Kingsport. Kevin Rinks has accepted the position of chief executive officer of Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital, effective March 23, following a national search. “Kevin is a mission-driven leader with a proven ability to strengthen hospital operations while ensuring the delivery of high quality, safe care,” said Dr. Chad Couch, president of Ballad Health’s Northern Region. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated strong physician relationships, developed high-performing teams, and his results are excellent. He is the right leader for Holston Valley and Indian Path.” Rinks brings more than 15 years of advanced healthcare leadership experience, most recently serving as chief executive officer of the 295-bed St. Vincent’s Southside Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., which is part of Ascension,…

Article summary Anthony DeSalvo, MD, has joined Ballad Health Cancer Care – Abingdon, where he specializes in hematology and oncology and provides comprehensive cancer diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. Jenna Lyn, MHA, MD, has joined BHMA Obstetrics and Gynecology – Abingdon, offering family medicine and obstetric services including prenatal, surgical and well-woman care. Jessalyn Berry, DO, has joined BHMA Community Physicians – Norton as a family medicine physician, providing preventive care and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart failure and COPD. Holly Nummerdor, DO, has joined BHMA Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Med Tech – Johnson City, where she delivers family medicine services focused on chronic disease management, preventive care and whole-person wellness. Read the full article Here are some of our latest clinicians to join Ballad Health: Anthony DeSalvo, MD, joins Ballad Health Cancer Care – Abingdon ABINGDON, Va. – Anthony DeSalvo, MD, has joined Ballad Health Cancer Care – Abingdon, specializing…