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…

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.

The Thursday, Oct. 29, submissions deadline for the 2027 Ballad Health Excellence Awards is almost upon us – but there’s still time to submit a project! If you’ve been involved in a performance improvement project at Ballad Health, now 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. Why should you submit a project? “You never know who needs to hear your story or how sharing your team’s work might inspire someone else,” said Tiffany Delias, Ballad Health’s director of Digital Performance Media & Consumer Engagement. She was on the project team that received the 2026…

As a reminder, the online Culture of Safety Survey is open through Saturday, Oct. 31, for our hospital-based team members. Workplace violence continues to affect healthcare workers across the country and here at Ballad Health. In 2025, reported workplace violence incidents at Ballad Health increased nearly 19%. Creating a safe environment for our patients and team members takes all of us. Ballad Health is partnering with the Tennessee Hospital Association to conduct the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSPOS). The survey is open through Oct. 31 and takes just 10-15 minutes to complete. Your feedback will help identify what we’re doing well and where we can strengthen patient and team member safety. Please complete the survey by Oct. 31 — and encourage your direct reports and fellow team members to participate. Strong participation is critical to giving us an accurate picture of our safety culture. Scan the QR…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The experiences of nurses and the essential role of empathy in healthcare took center stage Oct. 21 at Nashville’s Belcourt Theatre during a special screening of “NURSE: Empathy Heals.” The documentary shares nurses’ personal stories, offering a closer look at the emotional demands of caregiving and the people behind patient care. The film is part of the Nurse Narratives Initiative (NNI), a collaboration led by East Tennessee State University (ETSU) that brings together StoryCollab, the ETSU College of Nursing, the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement and the ETSU Research Corporation, with support from Ballad Health. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Chusy of Plan A Films, “NURSE: Empathy Heals” explores nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and the everyday challenges of patient care. Through accounts of grief, resilience, doubt, faith and compassion, the documentary examines what it means to care for others — and the importance of extending empathy to caregivers themselves. The…

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Bristol Regional Medical Center is looking to grow its team and connect with individuals interested in pursuing a career in healthcare during an upcoming hiring event on Wednesday, Oct. 28. From noon to 4 p.m., Ballad Health leaders and hiring managers will be available in the conference center on the bottom floor of Bristol Regional Medical Center, located at 1 Medical Park Blvd., to meet with job seekers and discuss current openings. “For anyone who is interested in building a career with Bristol Regional, we encourage you to come meet our leaders, ask questions and learn firsthand what opportunities are available,” said John Jeter, CEO of Bristol Regional Medical Center. “Whether someone is an experienced healthcare professional or exploring the next step in their career, this event is a great opportunity to learn more about the meaningful work happening here.” Priority positions include registered nurses (RNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), engineering technicians,…

The deadline for ordering our commemorative Dolly T-shirts online is fast approaching. The shirts are still available for purchase online through Sunday, Oct. 25, and they’re available in Ballad Health gift shops while supplies last. This is a great way to honor the remarkable legacy of Dolly Parton while supporting a meaningful cause. Place online orders here. All proceeds support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library through The Dollywood Foundation, helping inspire a love of reading among children across the Appalachian Highlands. To further support the mission of Imagination Library, Ballad Health will also match proceeds from the shirt sale up to $25,000. The T-shirts have been a huge hit so far, with more than 3,000 being ordered. Key info Ballad Health’s Dolly Parton tribute T-shirts feature a special design celebrating her legacy of caring, creativity and faith on the back. The T-shirt design has been approved by The Dollywood Foundation and Dolly Parton’s estate in support…

We’re getting closer to the Oct. 29 deadline for submissions for the 2027 Ballad Health Excellence Awards – but there’s still time to submit a project! If you’ve been involved in a performance improvement project at Ballad Health, now is your chance to be recognized. If you’re working on a project but haven’t submitted it yet, please go ahead and start the submission from the project submission site (you don’t have to complete it all at once). This helps us monitor how many entries to expect so organizers can plan for the appropriate number of judges. And see below to learn more about a new awards category – “Sustaining the Gains.” Submission period Champions of Excellence nominations Once the group project submission entry period comes to a close on Oct. 29, we will begin the process of accepting nominees for the Champions of Excellence award category.  Submitting a project Click here to access the submission…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health has selected Leon Bass, MD, a seasoned physician leader, as chief medical officer of Franklin Woods Community Hospital, Johnson County Community Hospital and Sycamore Shoals Hospital. Dr. Bass comes to his new role from Johnson City Medical Center, where he has served as chief of staff since being elected to the position by the medical staff in July 2025. He has also served as medical director for sleep disorders at Johnson City Medical Center and Sycamore Shoals Hospital since 2020. Dr. Bass served as medical ICU director in the region’s Level 1 trauma center from June 2020 to February 2026. He has practiced in the Appalachian Highlands since 2012 as a pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine physician, with much of his career focused on caring for critically ill patients. “Dr. Bass has served this community as a sleep medicine physician and intensivist for more than a decade, and…

NOTE: This message was emailed to Ballad Health team members from Team Member Health on Oct. 19. Dear Colleague, As we approach flu season, we want to remind you of your crucial role in protecting our patients, families, and team members. Team Member Health locations are now offering flu vaccinations for Ballad Health team members. 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, which closed on Oct. 7. 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 Team members may also choose to receive their vaccination from their primary…

Over the next few months, the Ballad Health Research Institute will visit our hospitals to speak with team members and community members about its work and mission. The Research Institute supports, develops and oversees research across Ballad Health to advance scientific discovery, improve clinical outcomes and bring innovative therapies to patients in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Members of the team will have a table set up in the hospitals with information about their work, and they will be available to answer questions and engage with both team members and the community. Upcoming visits include: Visits will be scheduled at other Ballad Health hospitals in the new year. What does the Ballad Health Research Institute do? The institute coordinates clinical trials, ensures regulatory compliance, protects research participants and assists investigators across a wide range of medical and scientific studies. Research ensures that our patients are given access to the most advanced treatments and technologies available…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Niswonger Children’s Hospital celebrated the opening of a completely redesigned St. Jude Tri-Cities Affiliate Clinic, bringing a more comfortable experience for children receiving cancer treatment and their families. The renovations were fully funded through more than $550,000 in philanthropic support from local donors. Designed to create a welcoming, child-friendly environment, the clinic was updated to feature a safari theme, including a waterfall feature in the hallway. The renovations also added a self-service drink and snack station, a counseling room and a music therapy room, along with two extra-large exam rooms to accommodate larger families.   “We are so appreciative of our community. This is a project that was initiated when a local philanthropist simply observed a need and asked how they could help,” said Chris Jett, chief executive officer of Niswonger Children’s Network. “Without this clinic, families would have to travel outside the region, sometimes as far as Memphis, to get…