Congratulations to the latest graduates of Ballad Health’s Excellence in Leadership Program! This cohort brought together leaders from a wide variety of roles and backgrounds across the organization, creating a dynamic learning environment filled with thoughtful discussion, new perspectives and meaningful connections. Participants consistently challenged ideas, asked insightful questions and learned from one another throughout the program. One of the most memorable aspects of this group was the strong sense of community that developed along the way. What started as a classroom of colleagues quickly became a network of leaders supporting one another’s growth and success. Their sense of humor also brought a special energy to every session. Whether through shared laughter, lighthearted moments or friendly banter, this group reminded us that meaningful learning and genuine fun can go hand in hand. We are proud of all they have accomplished and look forward to the positive impact they will continue to have on Ballad Health….

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 influenza, or the flu — the respiratory illness that gets its own season. We’re all familiar with the classic symptoms: fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose and body aches, plus a few more. To combat the flu, team members should get their annual flu shots by Nov. 4, unless they have a medical exemption or religious accommodation. If you have questions or want more information, please reach out to your infection preventionist.

Commemorative Dolly T-shirts are still available for purchase online through Sunday, Oct. 25, and 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 of Imagination Library. Due to popular demand, youth sizes of the Dolly T-shirt…

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Ballad Health Cancer Care’s Oncology Symposium is set for Friday, Oct. 23, at Bristol Regional Medical Center’s Monarch Auditorium. The symposium will bring together physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals from across the Appalachian Highlands for an opportunity to engage with national experts, share best practices and explore innovative approaches to cancer care to ultimately improve patient outcomes. The conference runs from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offers continuing education opportunities for eligible attendees. “Cancer care continues to evolve rapidly, and collaboration is essential to making sure patients benefit from those advances,” said Dwight Owens, vice president of oncology services for Ballad Health. “This symposium brings together experts from a variety of disciplines to share knowledge, discuss challenges and strengthen the partnerships that help us provide exceptional care throughout our region. “When providers have opportunities to learn from one another and exchange ideas, it ultimately benefits the…

Bristol Regional Medical Center, Holston Valley Medical Center and Johnson City Medical Center earn Get With The Guidelines® Awards JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — The American Heart Association recognized three Ballad Health hospitals for excellence in stroke care in 2026. Bristol Regional Medical Center, Holston Valley Medical Center and Johnson City Medical Center earned the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold quality recognition award, highlighting Ballad Health’s commitment to ensuring patients receive timely, comprehensive stroke care across the Appalachian Highlands. The Stroke Gold quality award is given to hospitals that demonstrate at least 85% compliance with seven key achievement measures for 24 consecutive months. “This award really spotlights the incredible team here in Kingsport,” said Kevin Rinks, CEO of Holston Valley Medical Center. “When it comes to stroke care, every second counts, and many moving parts must come together to ensure our patients get the lifesaving care they need. Providing this care…

Here are some of our latest clinicians to join Ballad Health: Sai Karthik Kommineni, MD, joins Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute – Johnson City JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Sai Karthik Kommineni, MD, has joined Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute – Johnson City, a department of Johnson City Medical Center, where he will specialize in cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Kommineni’s services include preventive cardiology; treatment of acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmias and rhythm disorders, coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension and valvular heart disease; dyslipidemia management; and cardiac imaging interpretation and consultation. “I believe in delivering evidence-based, compassionate care while treating every patient with respect and individuality,” he said. “My goal is to ensure patients feel heard, informed and confident in their care every step of the way.” Dr. Kommineni earned his medical degree from Siddhartha Medical College in Vijayawada, India. He completed an internal medicine residency and a fellowship in adult cardiovascular diseases at Quillen College of…

Hospital among first 60 in the nation to offer Edwards SAPIEN M3 system KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Patients across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia now have access to one of the newest treatments for heart valve disease without having to travel far from home. On Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, interventional cardiologist Dr. Gaurav Rana, cardiac surgeon Dr. Stanley Gall and non-invasive cardiologist Dr. Anjali Sharma performed the first procedure using the Edwards SAPIEN M3™ system at Holston Valley Medical Center, making the hospital among the first 60 hospitals nationwide to offer this technology. The procedure offers a new way to replace a damaged mitral heart valve without open-heart surgery. The Edwards SAPIEN M3™ system is designed for patients with a wide range of mitral valve disease, including mitral regurgitation, a condition in which one of the heart’s valves does not close properly, and mitral valve stenosis, a condition in which the mitral valve does not open…

Commemorative Dolly T-shirts are still available for purchase online and in our gift shops, in honor of Dolly Parton’s remarkable legacy. 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. Important updates 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 of Imagination Library. T-shirts are available in both short- and long-sleeve styles and are approved for team members to wear on Fridays. Due to popular demand, youth sizes of the Dolly T-shirt are now available to order online in short- and long-sleeve styles. Youth short-sleeve T-shirts will also be available in…

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 Oct. 1-31 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 code or visit the link below to take the survey. Take the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture 2.0 and Workplace…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — We’re giving away tickets to the East Tennessee State University volleyball match on Tuesday, Oct. 6, against Greensboro. Team members can request up to four free tickets by filling out the entry form below: Click here to enter The Lady Bucs will take on Southern Conference rival UNC Greensboro in Brooks Gym on the ETSU campus, starting at 6 p.m. We will be highlighting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, recognized each October. It also serves as Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night, as well as ETSU Student-Athlete Night. The tickets are first-come, first-served, until all are claimed. The names of those receiving tickets will be provided to ETSU at the will-call gate at the game. Come out and support the Lady Bucs!

It’s that time of year again – the annual Spooky Trail Halloween celebration is set for Friday, Oct. 30. Team members are invited to participate in group-themed costumes in a reverse trick-or-treat event that helps bring the Halloween spirit to our patients. Time slots for the event are available from 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Please visit this link to register your team for the event. Since some patients might not be able to have candy, teams are encouraged to bring other treats like stickers, pencils, coloring books, bubbles, activities and Play-Doh. Any candy or other edible treat should be store-bought and individually wrapped from the manufacturer. When arriving for the event, teams should check in at the table that will be in front of Timmy’s Playroom at the first floor. The trail starts in the St. Jude Tri-Cities Affiliate Clinic, then moves up to the pediatric floor and ends in the PICU. Patients will…

Early voting has begun in Virginia and it will begin soon in Tennessee for the State and Federal General Election, which is coming up Nov. 3. Ballad Health encourages every eligible 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!