JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – As part of Ballad Health’s ongoing work to support healthcare workers in the Appalachian Highlands, Ballad Health Foundation has invested nearly $500,000 to create state-of-the-art “Lavender Rooms” in each of the system’s tertiary hospitals. What are Lavender Rooms? Designed with the goal of providing short-term stress relief, Lavender Rooms will provide a respite for team members coping with the mental, emotional and physical burdens of providing bedside care. Each Lavender Room is designed like a spa suite, featuring stations outfitted with zero-gravity chairs, salt walls and digital cinema sensory screens, creating a calming environment to help healthcare workers relieve stress. Open to team members working at Holston Valley Medical Center, Bristol Regional Medical Center and Johnson City Medical Center, these rooms include ample space to meditate, practice yoga or simply find a moment of peace. Each suite is designed with relaxation first in mind, from the layout of the suite down…

As part of Ballad Health’s ongoing work to support healthcare workers in the Appalachian Highlands, Ballad Health Foundation has invested nearly $500,000 to create state-of-the-art “Lavender Rooms” in each of the system’s tertiary hospitals, to be unveiled on Friday, May 6. Designed with the goal of providing short-term stress relief, Lavender Rooms will provide a respite for team members coping with the mental, emotional and physical burdens of providing bedside care. About our opening celebration These rooms will be unveiled at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Holston Valley Medical Center and Johnson City Medical Center on May 6, with brief ribbon-cutting ceremonies and an open house at each facility. Bristol Regional Medical Center (located on 2 West in the therapy hall) Johnson City Medical Center (located on the 4th floor) Holston Valley Medical Center (located on B2) All team members are invited to stop by the Lavender Room at any of the three hospitals to see…

  JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Laura Tracy, pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Erwin, is all about giving. At Christmastime, she and her husband, Ron, always give to others in lieu of buying each other gifts. They’ve made numerous donations to the Ballad Health Foundation to support patients and families. They also gave to this year’s Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network by purchasing raffle tickets – so it was fitting that, when the Ballad Health Foundation called to tell Laura she’d won a new car in the raffle, she was busy giving to those in need. “She was at the church doing work for the food bank,” said Ron, a lay leader at the church, who took the phone call at home. “I didn’t even know she’d bought a raffle ticket. I couldn’t believe it. I had to wait until she got home from the church to tell her she’d won a new car!”…

Last week, Eastman Credit Union (ECU) announced its commitment to give $1 million to Ballad Health Foundation over the next 10 years to expand regional healthcare opportunities for expectant mothers, babies, children and families. ECU’s board of directors approved the contribution to spearhead three regional projects that will greatly enhance the quality and specialization of services available to those living in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. These projects include the expansion of the Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network through the creation of the Regional Center for Pediatric Specialties and Regional Center for Perinatal and Neonatal Care in Johnson City, and a Center for Women and Babies at Indian Path Community Hospital in Kingsport. “Eastman Credit Union has been a longtime, faithful supporter of health and well-being in the Appalachian Highlands,” said Jack Simpson, Ballad Health Foundation President. “Their support of Ballad Health – from furnishing Marsh Regional Blood Center with new mobile collection units, which…

Champion Chevrolet again donates the grand prize to support Niswonger Children’s Hospital and Ballad Health’s regional system of care for children JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health Foundation’s annual Niswonger Children’s Network raffle is underway, with tickets on sale through Friday, Dec. 3. Each ticket is a chance to win a new car or cash prizes and support the Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network, a regional system of care that focuses on the health and well-being of every child in the Appalachian Highlands. The network also features Niswonger Children’s Hospital, the region’s only children’s hospital. REMINDER: Wednesday, Nov. 3, is the last day for team members to buy tickets with two payroll deductions. Nov. 17 is the final day to pay with one payroll deduction. Raffle tickets are $50 apiece, and a maximum of 2,500 tickets will be sold. One lucky winner will get to choose from a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer…

Ballad Health’s 2021 Team Member Giving Campaign runs through Tuesday, Nov. 9, providing team members an opportunity to give to their choice of many important funds and programs that benefit our communities, patients, families and team members. Ballad Health Foundation sent emails to all team members will let you make a donation. (Do not forward, though, as this link is personalized for you.) Click here to see a list of frequently asked questions about making a donation. Click here to see a description of the funds you can support. How does my donation help? This campaign funds a range of programs and services, including the United Way, Niswonger Children’s Hospital and several patient assistance and team member assistance funds. Every year, the money our team members give makes a real difference in the lives of people in our community – and you can choose what you want your donation to support. How does your contribution…

Ballad Health Foundation offers several crucial programs to help people in the community as well as Ballad Health team members during times of need. These programs are supported by donations during our annual Team Member Giving Campaign. Here is one example of how a team member was helped by the Team Member Emergency Fund: “I needed new tires,” said Patrick Early, courier for Marsh Regional Blood Center. “The tires were so bad the shop didn’t even want me to leave with them still on, but I couldn’t afford new ones.” He had just made a major repair on the car and was dealing with that expense. Then he thought about Ballad Health Foundation’s Team Member Emergency Fund. Ten years ago, Patrick had applied for and received help to pay a utility bill when he was having a difficult time. He applied to the emergency fund to buy the tires, and his request was approved. Without…

We’re in the midst of our annual Team Member Giving Campaign, which supports crucial programs and funds – many of which have never been more vital than now, in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Kristi Bode, director of patient resource management at Johnson City Medical Center, listed numerous ways she sees  Ballad Health Foundation’s patient assistance funds regularly making a difference, extending beyond the treatment patients receive. “Every day, we see the positive impact the donations make on our vulnerable patients, and it warms our hearts,” Kristi said. “Because of the patient assistance program we’ve been able to reduce readmissions for our uninsured patients, because we can ensure they go home with the medications they need. “We’ve helped pay for transportation to and from outpatient oncology and dialysis appointments after discharge. We’ve bought phones for the homeless so they can call loved ones or reach emergency assistance if needed. We also…

 Check out this 30-second video about United Way, one of the many crucial organizations supported by Ballad Health’s Team Member Giving Campaign.   Imagine losing everything you have in a middle-of-the-night fire. Where do you turn for help? This happened to a Ballad Health team member, whose family was left with nothing but the pajamas they were wearing. But thanks to the generosity of fellow team members and Ballad Health Foundation’s Team Member Emergency Fund, they were able to get back on their feet. Co-workers showed a generous heart in banding together to help purchase numerous necessary clothes and household items, and the Team Member Emergency Fund was there to help the team member buy a mattress and bedroom set. It made a huge difference for them at a difficult time. This year’s campaign That story is one example of how our Team Member Giving Campaign makes a difference in the lives of those…

Ballad Health’s 2020 Team Member Giving Campaign opened on Monday, Nov. 2, providing team members an opportunity to give to their choice of many important funds and programs that benefit our communities, patients, families and team members. The campaign by Ballad Health Foundation will run until Monday, Nov. 23. Tapping into the spirit of teamwork and giving for which Ballad Health is known, this year’s theme is “For one. For all.” Each team member will receive a personalized email from Ballad Health Foundation that will let you make a donation. (Do not forward our link, though, as this link is personalized for you.) Click here to see a list of frequently asked question about making a donation. Click here to see a description of the funds you can support. Click here for a printable/downloadable PDF of the pledge form. How does my donation help? This campaign funds a range of programs and services, including the…

Ballad Health’s 2020 Team Member Giving Campaign opens on Monday, Nov. 2, providing team members an opportunity to give to their choice of many important funds and programs that benefit our communities, patients, families and team members. The campaign by Ballad Health Foundation will run until Monday, Nov. 23. Tapping into the spirit of teamwork and giving for which Ballad Health is known, this year’s theme is “For one. For all.” You’ll receive a personalized email from Ballad Health Foundation that will let you make a donation. (Do not forward, though, as this link is personalized for you.) “Our team members are always incredibly generous when it comes to helping those in need,” said Jack Simpson, president of Ballad Health Foundation. “We realize times are really tough for everybody, and as a health system, our focus needs to be on fighting COVID-19. But it’s still important to fund these programs. There are so many needs…