New forensic imaging equipment builds on years of regional collaboration to expand access, strengthen documentation and support forensic nursing care in rural communities JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health patients receiving forensic nursing care now have greater access to specialized imaging technology through seven new Cortexflo forensic imaging systems deployed across the health system. Ballad Health launched the new technology in mid-August, marking the culmination of a multiyear effort to identify and implement an imaging system designed for the clinical, security and documentation needs of forensic healthcare. Ballad Health provides 24/7 forensic nursing coverage across 18 facilities and performs more than 300 forensic medical examinations annually for patients affected by sexual assault, intimate partner violence, strangulation, child abuse and other forms of violence. “This has been a long-term goal and seeing it become a reality is incredibly meaningful,” said Ashleigh McMahan, director of forensic nursing for Ballad Health. “Cortexflo gives our nurses another tool to…

Becomes first integrated health system in Tennessee to receive national distinction The Big Picture: Ballad Health has been recognized as a Dr. Lorna Breen Wellbeing First Champion for 2026 by the Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation. This designation recognizes healthcare organizations that support their clinicians’ mental well-being at a high level by eliminating intrusive mental health questions and stigmatizing language from licensing and credentialing applications. While a handful of freestanding facilities have received this distinction, Ballad Health is the first integrated health system in Tennessee to be recognized by the foundation. The background By the numbers Why it matters What leaders are saying “This achievement reflects the outstanding work of our Medical Staff Services team in partnership with the Medical Staff Services Committee of the Ballad Health Clinical Council,” said Dr. Amit Vashist, Ballad Health’s chief clinical officer. “Their thoughtful modernization of our credentialing processes supports both clinician well-being and patient safety. As a board-certified psychiatrist,…

September is Sepsis Awareness Month, so throughout the month we’ve been spreading the word to our team members and to the public about sepsis – what is it, why is it a critical issue, what do you need to know about it, and much more. This condition is deadly serious and it’s important that team members and the public are aware of it. Ballad Health has made sepsis prevention a major focus because it creates so many serious issues with our patients. Sepsis can lead to worse outcomes, longer and more expensive treatments and more readmissions. If we decrease the number of sepsis cases, we’ll see better patient outcomes. In recognition of our collective learning about sepsis this month, we have organized a prize drawing. Team members who complete the quiz will be eligible for the drawing, regardless of quiz score. Most importantly, what you take away from the quiz could save your life or the…

UPDATE: 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 Ballad Health gift shops beginning Oct. 5 while supplies last. In honor of Dolly Parton’s remarkable legacy and “9 to 5 Day” on Sept. 25 (9/25), which many are celebrating as Dolly Parton Day, commemorative T-shirts are now available for purchase online through Oct. 25. 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. 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…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The 2026 Ballad Health Trauma Conference is set for Friday, Oct. 9, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the James and Nellie Brinkley Center at East Tennessee State University, bringing together trauma and emergency care professionals for a day of education. This conference brings together physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, emergency department staff, EMS professionals and other healthcare providers from across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia to explore current topics and emerging trends in trauma care. Topics include: Visit the event site for more information or to register. Registration is $15. Whether you provide care in the prehospital setting, emergency department, operating room, ICU, or trauma service, this conference offers practical education that can be applied to improve patient care and outcomes. For questions, contact Jessica Antonino at Jessica.antonino@balladhealth.org. Ballad Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide CME for physicians and designates this activity…

September is Sepsis Awareness Month. This story, told by a Ballad Health team member, demonstrates how important it is to recognize the warning signs of sepsis and to act quickly. Sepsis can move frighteningly fast. Recognizing it early can mean the difference between life and death. Regina knows that better than most. She has watched sepsis threaten the lives of two people she loves — her 8-year-old son, Luke, and years later, her mother. Their experiences were different, but together they taught Regina a lesson she wants others to hear: Know the warning signs. Trust your instincts. And act quickly. For Regina, that lesson began with Luke. In 2003, Luke was an energetic 8-year-old playing football on a hot fall day during grandparents’ weekend. He came off the field complaining of a headache and not feeling well. At first, Regina thought he was just being an 8-year-old boy who didn’t want to play football. Then…

The submission period for the 2027 Ballad Health Excellence Awards is open through Oct. 29. If you’ve been involved in a performance improvement project at Ballad Health, now is your chance to be recognized! Last year, we received 102 entries from across the organization, 87 of which were eligible for judging – showcasing the innovation, dedication and excellence that our teams exhibit every day. Click here to see a review of some of our top award winners from 2026, and you can also visit this site which has an extensive gallery of photos from the 2026 awards, available for viewing and downloading. We’re excited to build on that momentum and once again celebrate the impactful work that continues to happen throughout Ballad Health. Submission period *In order to ensure appropriate time for the judging of the projects, this is a firm deadline that will not be extended. Champions of Excellence nominations Once the group project…

NORTON, Va. – Expecting parents and growing families are invited to attend Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network’s free Community Baby Shower on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from noon until 6 p.m. at Norton Community Hospital. Hosted by Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network’s Strong Starts program in partnership with Humana, the Community Baby Shower is designed to connect expectant parents with valuable resources, healthcare experts and community organizations that support healthy pregnancies and growing families. During the event, attendees can meet Ballad Health Medical Associates pediatricians and OB/GYN care teams, tour the Family Birth Center at Norton Community Hospital, learn about car seat safety and other resources available to growing families and enter to win a variety of door prizes. Attendees should enter the main entrance of the hospital, and the event will be held in the lobby. Light refreshments will be provided throughout the event. The Community Baby Shower is designed to connect expectant parents with…

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Bristol Regional Medical Center invites the community to a special Open House event on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the hospital’s main lobby. The event will give community members an opportunity to meet the team members who provide care, learn more about the services available at Bristol Regional and get a closer look at the technology and innovation helping advance healthcare in the region. “We’re excited to welcome our community into Bristol Regional and give people an opportunity to see the hospital from a different perspective,” said John Jeter, CEO of Bristol Regional Medical Center. “When people come to the hospital, it’s often during a difficult or stressful time. This event gives us a chance to simply open our doors, introduce ourselves and let people get to know the team members who are here to care for them and their families.” During the event, attendees will have…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Brian Myers has been selected to serve as administrator of Woodridge Hospital, bringing more than a decade of behavioral health leadership experience and a strong commitment to improving access to high-quality behavioral healthcare throughout Appalachia. He assumed the role in early August. “I’m very excited about Brian’s previous experience in behavioral health, and his passion for serving the underserved,” said Tammy Albright, CEO of Behavioral Health Services at Ballad Health. “He will be an integral part of our Behavioral Health leadership structure to help ensure quality and access to services.” Myers joins Ballad Health from Appalachian Regional Healthcare, where he served as assistant vice president of Behavioral Health. In that position, he led the organization’s Behavioral Health and Addiction Medicine service lines, overseeing operations across four inpatient psychiatric hospital campuses and a comprehensive network of outpatient behavioral health programs serving communities in Kentucky and West Virginia. A native of Big Stone Gap,…

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Ballad Health is giving away a limited number of tickets to our team members for the NASCAR Fall Weekend races on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 17-19. 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 Thursday, Sept. 17, at noon. Giveaway details Click here for more information on Thursday’s UNOH 250 presented by Ohio Logistics and Bush’s Beans 200. Click here for more information about the Food City 300 & Nobody Trashes Tennessee Qualifying on Friday. Click here for more information on the Bass Pro Shops Night Race (NASCAR Cup Series) on Saturday. Ballad Health serves as the official healthcare and trauma services provider for Bristol Motor Speedway.

NOTE: Technical issues with using the discount code have been corrected and the discount code has been extended through today (Friday, Sept. 11). BRISTOL – The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is here; Ballad Health team members can get a great deal on tickets to the music festival, set for Sept. 11-13 in downtown Bristol. By using the code BALLAD45 when purchasing tickets online, team members can save $45 on the cost of a three-day, general admission ticket package. The discount is good until midnight on Thursday, Sept. 10. Click here to purchase tickets. Headliners for this year’s festival include St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Sierra Ferrell, Old Crow Medicine Show and Los Lobos. Ballad Health is once again a sponsor for the Rhythm & Roots Reunion. For more information about the festival, including music lineup and FAQs, visit https://bristolrhythm.com/.