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An update from Alan Levine regarding the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Note: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Thursday, Nov. 11. Dear colleagues, As we all learned last week, pursuant to orders from President Joe Biden, the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a new rule requiring that hospitals and other health care organizations which participate in Medicare and Medicaid require their physicians, team members, volunteers, students, interns, vendors and any other individual who may come into contact with other individuals within the work setting to become vaccinated by one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines. This means, beginning Jan. 4, all Ballad Health team members must be fully vaccinated, unless you have an approved medical or religious exemption. This new rule is far-reaching and the implications are very serious for hospitals and health systems.  Non-compliance by hospitals will lead to significant fines and, ultimately, termination from federal health care programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Given that…

Ballad Health prepares to provide COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5 and older

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – With a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination now approved under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for children ages 5 to 11, Ballad Health is providing the vaccine in its Community Vaccination Center (CVC). The shots will also be given in Ballad Health Medical Associates offices that treat pediatric patients. Established patients can begin calling to make appointments to receive the vaccine. Shots have undergone rigorous testing The shots have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation and received the EUA by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approval by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and final guidance and recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ballad Health, as it has with all COVID-19 vaccine progress and availability, has followed full guidance by federal and regulatory agencies. “This is an encouraging move forward in the continued fight against COVID-19, and it’s very welcome news to many parents,” said Jamie…

Message from Alan Levine regarding CMS vaccine mandate for healthcare

NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Thursday, Nov. 4. Dear Colleague: This morning, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new rule which mandates COVID-19 vaccines for any hospital, home health agency, long-term care facility and certain other health care providers. We are in the process of evaluating the rule and the impact it may have on Ballad Health. Upon initial review, it is clear the only exceptions to all team members, students, residents and anyone contracted with Ballad Health being vaccinated are for medical or religious reasons. The mandate is very far-reaching, and will impact our partner colleges and universities as well as vendors and others who have contact with our facilities. Prior to establishing our policy, we will be consulting with our Regional Ethics committee, which includes individuals from various backgrounds, including physician, clergy, nursing and community members. It is important we receive input…

Alan Levine offers insight on rural healthcare challenges during congressional hearing

  JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alan Levine served as an expert witness and testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health on Tuesday, expressing his concern about the challenges we face as a rural healthcare system. Levine spoke via live video feed from his office at Ballad Health’s corporate headquarters. His remarks centered around concerns for the ability of Ballad Health – and many other health systems across the nation – to continue providing high-quality care despite a nursing shortage that is made worse by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He called it “an emerging national crisis.” The Subcommittee was conducting a legislative hearing titled “Caring for America: Legislation to support Patients, Caregivers, and Providers,” and several pieces of legislation that could ease the burden on hospitals were under consideration. Levine was one of seven expert witnesses who provided testimony during…

Important message to team members who saw charge in MyChart for COVID-19 booster

Ballad Health team members who received the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) booster shot may see an accompanying charge listed on their account in MyChart. Please disregard this charge, as team members will not be billed for receiving the COVID-19 booster shot, and this charge will be adjusted off. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Ballad Health resumes some elective procedures, continues encouraging COVID-19 prevention

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – A month after a sharp increase in novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the Appalachian Highlands prompted Ballad Health to postpone all elective and non-emergent surgeries, the health system is now preparing to resume some procedures. Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 29, Ballad Health hospitals is once again providing some elective surgeries that do not require overnight stays. Patients are currently being contacted by their providers’ offices to schedule procedures, and capacity at each facility is determined by individual hospitals’ staffing and space availability. “This summer, we had to prepare for high volume of COVID-19 patients and plan for a worst-case scenario, which unfortunately required us to curtail some services,” said Eric Deaton, Ballad Health’s chief operating officer and incident commander of its Corporate Emergency Operations Center (CEOC). “Given the limitations on available staffing, it was necessary to take these steps to ensure the safest possible environment for our patients and team members. “We are grateful for everyone’s…

COVID-19 booster shots available to all team members

TO: Ballad Health ALL FROM: Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center DATE: Sept. 24, 2021 TITLE: COVID-19 vaccine booster shots  available to all team members   Now that Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine booster has been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ballad Health will offer a booster shot to team members beginning Monday, Sept. 27. The FDA and CDC have authorized a single booster dose for: people 65 years of age and older; residents of long-term care settings; individuals ages 50 through 64 at high risk of severe COVID-19; those who are ages 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions; and people ages 18 through 64 whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19 including severe COVID-19. These recommendations mean that all Ballad Health team members and credentialed providers are eligible to receive a booster.  …

WE NEED YOUR HELP! New online form set up for team members applying to Helping Hands program

With our patient volumes at a critical level due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) surge, Ballad Health continues to seek current team members to step in and provide nonclinical support for our frontline team members in a paid role through our Helping Hands program. These duties may be in addition to your existing Ballad Health role or, in some cases, if you and your current supervisor agree, may be filled during your current work schedule/fulltime employment. Please fill out new online form posted to the intranet As part of this recruitment process, we’ve created a new online form available on the Ballad Health intranet. It is located on the left side under “Quick Links” listed as “Helping Hands Form.” Important note: You must be on a Ballad Health network device to access the intranet site. This form collects information on your availability, location preferences and positions for which you are unable to assist. Please fill out this…

Heartwarming video: Niswonger Children’s Hospital celebrates Conner’s ‘victory walk’ at discharge

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – After 44 long days at Niswonger Children’s Hospital with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) – much of it spent on a ventilator – a young patient named Conner had something to celebrate, along with his family and our team members. On Monday afternoon, Sept. 13, team members lined the hallway and cheered for him on his “victory walk” as he was discharged and moved on to the next phase of his recovery. Conner’s discharge represents hope in a time that has often been filled with exhaustion, uncertainty and despair due to the COVID-19 case surge. We celebrate this huge step in his treatment and wish him the best as he continues his recovery!  

Important update from Alan Levine on COVID-19, vaccines

NOTE: This message was emailed on Saturday, Sept. 11, from Ballad Health Chairman and chief executive officer Alan Levine to all team members.   Dear Colleague: I know the past few weeks have been increasingly difficult as our volume of COVID-19 cases has continued to increase. Throughout the system, our incredible caregivers are devoting themselves to patients who are sicker, and much more complicated than what we have seen in the past. Regardless of the setting you find yourself in, the challenges are enormous. If you are caring for COVID patients, or if you are not, the impact on you and your colleagues is taking its toll. I just want to tell you that the feedback I receive from people throughout the community is how appreciated you are. It may not seem that way day-to-day, but it is true. And I think that will become more evident as we continue to move forward. While incredible…

Pause & Pray: Local radio station to hold special prayer today (Thursday) at noon

Local radio station 97.3 LOVE FM is doing a special prayer over the air at noon today (Thursday, Sept. 9) for everyone in our region dealing with COVID-19, including healthcare workers. If you’re able to, you are invited to join from wherever you are by going to this link: http://listen.streamon.fm/whgg NOTE: You may need to access the link using a mobile device and not a Ballad Health network computer.

Ballad Health issues statement on emergency department utilization

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – With novel coronavirus (COVID-19) hospitalizations at record levels, Ballad Health is providing feedback to the communities it serves, intended to optimize healthcare resources for those who need it most. NOTE TO TEAM MEMBERS: Please encourage your friends, family and patients NOT to go to the emergency department for COVID-19 testing. And if you have symptoms of COVID-19, contact Team Member Health. Emergencies Chiefly, if any person believes they are having a life-or-limb-threatening emergency, the person should call 911 or get to the closest emergency department. These individuals will be triaged immediately by qualified providers, and they will be provided with a medical screening exam by a qualified provider. If it is determined the individual does not have a life- or limb-threatening emergency, it is highly likely the wait times to be treated will be significant, as the emergency physicians and clinical team prioritize those with the most severe needs. ERs are…