Here are some of the clinicians who’ve recently joined the Ballad Health team: Manal Ahmad, MD, joins BHMA Diabetes & Endocrinology — Kingsport KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Manal Ahmad, MD, has joined Ballad Health Medical Associates Diabetes & Endocrinology — Kingsport, a department of Johnson City Medical Center, where she will specialize in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. Dr. Ahmad’s services include treatment for adrenal disorders, diabetes, lipid disorders, obesity and metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease, parathyroid and calcium disorders, pituitary disorders and thyroid disorders. “Patients do best when they feel heard, respected and involved in their treatment plan,” she said. Dr. Ahmad earned her medical degree from Rawalpindi Medical College in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. She completed an internal medicine residency at Zucker School of Medicine/Northwell Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson, New York, and a fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in Galveston, Texas. She is board-certified…

Article summary Read the full article JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Leaders, mentors and families came together to celebrate five very special Science Hill High School students who completed the Project SEARCH program this year. Interns Ethan, Kailani, Katie, Mandi and Olivia officially received their certificates of completion of the Project SEARCH program, a 180-day internship program for high school students with intellectual disabilities. Project SEARCH was launched in 2024 at Johnson City Medical Center. The program provides on-site job training for students during their final year of high school, helping them gain and hone skills to bring to the job market after graduation. The goal of the program is to equip individuals with disabilities with the skills they need to ease into the workforce following graduation. “The transition after graduation can be very jarring for anyone, so this program can be very helpful for these kids,” said Kelly Hernandez, a certified teacher who heads the…

The Ballad Health Auxiliary is introducing a heartfelt new initiative this month designed to bring comfort, compassion, and a little extra joy to patients across the system. Throughout June, all Ballad Health facility gift shops will participate in a systemwide Toy Drive featuring a simple but powerful mission: for every stuffed animal purchased, the Auxiliary will donate one to a patient in need. This buy-one, give-one effort allows patients, families, team members, and community members to play a direct role in supporting others during their care journey. Each donated plush toy will be distributed by caregivers to pediatric, geriatric, and other patients who may benefit from a small but meaningful gesture of kindness. At its core, the initiative reflects the belief that even a small act – like giving a stuffed animal – can provide comfort, ease anxiety and remind patients they are cared for, especially during vulnerable moments. The Toy Drive is part of…

Team members – especially referring prescribers – should know about the comprehensive pharmacy services available through Ballad Health Specialty Pharmacy. Our specialized pharmacists work closely with patients and clinicians to provide personalized medication management, patient education, ongoing monitoring and medication counseling. Unlike traditional outpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacies provide an elevated level of support for patients with complex, rare and chronic conditions that require specialized care and close clinical monitoring. Referring patients is easy through Epic, allowing prescribers to seamlessly send prescriptions to Ballad Health Specialty Pharmacy. Our Epic-integrated prior authorization (PA) workflow helps identify formulary and coverage issues upfront, reducing therapy delays, improving patient safety and minimizing prescription errors through pharmacist review. Our PA support services are currently expanding and may not yet be available to all clinics. Contact the Ballad Health Specialty Pharmacy team to learn how our PA services can help reduce administrative burden and improve medication access for patients. Ballad Health Specialty…

Article summary Read the full article JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health and local orthopedic physicians announced the launch of the Appalachian Highlands Orthopedic Network, a new partnership with longtime local orthopedic physicians, Ballad Health and Campbell Clinic designed to expand patient access to highly experienced orthopedic specialists, strengthen collaboration among medical providers and support the recruitment and retention of orthopedic talent across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The network connects more than 60 orthopedic physicians and advanced practice providers from Greeneville, Tenn., to Wytheville, Va., creating a more unified system of care – linking local physicians and Ballad Health with the depth of expertise and national reputation of Campbell Clinic, one of the country’s most established orthopedic practices with more than 100 years of experience. The network connects more than 60 orthopedic physicians and advanced practice providers from Greeneville, Tenn., to Wytheville, Va., creating a more unified system of care – linking local physicians…

Article summary Read the full article KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Ballad Health and East Tennessee State University (ETSU) will bring together addiction experts, frontline advocates and community leaders for a daylong event focused on the opioid crisis and innovative solutions to support those impacted by substance use disorders. The “Recovery Symposium: Changing Minds, Changing Lives” will take place Thursday, June 11, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center. “We’re proud to partner with East Tennessee State University to convene a respected group of experts at the forefront of addressing substance use disorders,” said Tammy Albright, senior vice president and chief executive officer of Ballad Health’s Behavioral Health Services. “This symposium represents another important step in our continued commitment to helping individuals and families across our region who have been impacted by the opioid crisis.” The event is free to attend and has been planned and implemented in accordance with the…

BRISTOL, Tenn. – A Wilderness Medicine CME Course for Trauma/First Responders is set for Friday, June 5, at Bristol Regional Medical Center in the Monarch Auditorium. The course provides EMS providers and healthcare professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to manage medical and traumatic emergencies in wilderness and austere environments. Participants will adapt assessment, treatment and evacuation strategies when resources are limited, transport is delayed and environmental hazards are present. The curriculum emphasizes decision-making, improvisation, prolonged field care and patient safety in remote settings. Participants are eligible for 8 hours of EMS continuing education. Ballad Health is accredited by the ACCME to provide CME for physicians and designates this activity for a maximum of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. For more information or to register, click here or click on the flyer below. For questions, mail cecilia.machac@balladhealth.org.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Ballad Health has announced several leadership transitions in Kingsport and Southwest Virginia designed to strengthen clinical collaboration, reinforce operational continuity and continue advancing quality and patient care across the system. The leadership selections include Kristen Looney, FNP-C, as chief nursing officer for Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital, and Nikki Vanburen, RN, as chief nursing officer for Lonesome Pine Hospital, Lee County Community Hospital, Dickenson Community Hospital and Norton Community Hospital. Additionally, Dr. Jesse Sulzer has been selected to serve as chief medical officer for Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital. He will also continue serving as chief medical officer of Johnston Memorial Hospital while a national search is conducted to fill that role. Dr. Jamie Bartley has also been selected to serve as chief medical officer for Russell County Hospital and Smyth County Community Hospital while continuing in his current role as chief medical…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Ballad Health team members can once again take advantage of a special discount for all Crazy 8s events, taking place Saturday, July 18. Ballad Health team members and their family members are eligible for a 50% discount for the following events: To get the discount, use the code BALLADC8 when registering online. Click here to access registration and for more details on the events. Deadline to use the discount code is July 17; the discount code is not applicable for race-day registration. The Ballad Health Crazy 8s, organized by We Run Events, is an award-winning road race known internationally for its fast fields and festive nighttime atmosphere. It is known as “the world’s fastest 8K.” This year, it will serve as the USATF National Men’s and Women’s 8K Road Championship. Ballad Health and the Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network are proud title sponsors and longtime partners of the event.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Ballad Health team members can attend the Kingsport Axmen baseball game on Friday, June 5, for $1 (plus tax) as part of the team’s Healthcare Appreciation Night, which honors all healthcare workers in the region. Team members can get the special ticket rate by showing their Ballad Health ID badge at the gate. Throughout the evening, the team will also recognize healthcare workers over the PA system. The Appalachian League game against the Burlington Sock Puppets starts at 7 p.m. The Axmen recently partnered with Ballad Health to rename their home field Ballad Health Field at Hunter Wright Stadium. For more information, visit the Kingsport Axmen website or email mtester@axmenbaseball.com.

Initiative reflects system’s long-term investment in regional care JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Construction is underway to expand the emergency department at Johnson City Medical Center, marking the next phase of the project first announced in 2024. Designed to enhance the patient experience, the expansion will bring new technology and significant added capacity to the pediatric, adult and trauma programs. A $72 million commitment, the expansion is designed to meet the growing future needs of the Appalachian Highlands region and has been designed after months of planning and collaboration with team members, medical staff, patients and community members. The planning focuses on meeting the needs of high-acuity and trauma patients, and the design reflects Johnson City Medical Center’s role as a high-acuity Level 1 trauma center serving the needs of patients from throughout the region and multiple states. The expansion will bring new technology and significant added capacity to the pediatric, adult and trauma programs. This…

Did you know the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires all medical, nursing and food service personnel to have access to the approved therapeutic diet manual under CMS Condition of Participation 482.28(b)(3)? You can find the Ballad Health adult diet manual on the Ballad Health intranet under “Quick Links.” With a recent subscription update, access now requires a one-time completion of a short electronic form. After completion and submission of the form, you will receive an email once access has been granted. Below are the steps required to gain access. NOTE: The Ballad Health pediatric diet manual is also available under “Quick Links” and can be accessed without completing a form.