February is Black History Month, a celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. At Ballad Health, we recognize Black History Month not just as a chance to study Black history, but also as a way to celebrate diversity and foster an environment where we are all recognized for our abilities and valued for our contributions. This is a fitting time to learn about barrier-breaking figures in healthcare, as well –  both nationally and locally. We have a great example of a local pioneer in Lola Campbell, the first black nurse at Holston Valley Medical Center. See a new in-depth feature from WJHL about Lola. Lola recently received a proclamation in her honor from Sullivan County. Here’s a short video from Ballad Health back in 2021, honoring Lola. The International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough presents “Freedom Stories: Unearthing the Black Heritage of Appalachia.” The Association of…

Here’s an important update for all team members who could be involved in assisting patients and visitors with interpretive services: BridgesEAST is now the exclusive provider of onsite/in-person American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for all Ballad Health facilities. BridgesEAST is a nonprofit organization that has been providing interpreter services for the deaf and hard of hearing for nearly 100 years. Here’s the key information you’ll need when requesting an ASL interpreter: For scheduled appointments, do one of the following: Email www.bridgesfordeafandhh.org/bridgeseast Call 423-818-1222 For emergencies: Call 423-780-0008 (available 24/7/3665) Questions: Andrew@bridgesfordeafandhh.org To learn more about interpretive services provided by Ballad Health, visit our Interpreter Services site on the intranet, available via intranet main page > Departments > Interpreter Services. Thank you for helping us serve our patients and community with interpretive services! To view the flyer below in PDF format, click here.

Pride Month, recognized each June, commemorates the years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equal justice under the law for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, as well as the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ individuals. Ballad Health, as part of its values, supports equality and treating everyone with respect. This applies to patients and visitors to our facilities but also to fellow team members. As healthcare workers, we’re all in this together and no one should be ostracized, harassed or treated unfairly due to their sexual orientation or gender preference. A few facts about Pride Month June is federally recognized as Pride Month. The original organizers chose this month to pay homage to the Stonewall uprising in June 1969 in New York City, which helped spark the modern gay rights movement. A police raid at the Stonewall Inn, an LGBTQ bar, led to riots and protests against harassment and unfair…

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19 each year, is an important holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Ballad Health recognizes Juneteenth as a day to celebrate freedom, honor the resilience of African Americans and reflect on the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality. How did Juneteenth become a holiday? The United States celebrates American independence on the Fourth of July, the date the Declaration of Independence was ratified in 1776. But that did not create freedom for all Americans – particularly the millions of Black Americans who were enslaved for almost another century. It wasn’t until 1863 that the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect, declaring all people held as slaves “within the rebellious states,” or the Confederacy, to be free. And even then, not all slaves were actually free. Many slaveowners simply took their slaves and fled farther west to Texas to avoid compliance, and by 1865, there were more…

As a former refugee who came to America in 1998 from Bosnia, Holston Valley Medical Center’s chief nursing officer, Adnan Brka, wholly understands the importance of going beyond the call of duty to help international nurses familiarize themselves with our region. Every quarter, Brka contacts all the Ballad Health team members who are international nurses to ensure their needs are being met both at work and at home. He then works alongside Holston Valley’s clinical education team to organize gatherings outside of work with meals and drinks. Through these meetings, he and other nursing leaders can connect with each nurse, speak to them individually and see if there are any resources to help improve their quality of life while living in the United States. “My ultimate goal is to see what they do when they’re not at work,” he said. “I want to make sure they’re living enjoyable lives and finding what they need outside…

February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. At Ballad Health, we recognize Black History Month not just as a chance to study Black history, but also as a way to celebrate diversity and foster an environment where we are all recognized for our abilities and valued for our contributions. Black History Month is an excellent time to learn about barrier-breaking figures in healthcare, as well. The Association of American Medical Colleges shares 10 inspiring stories of Black medical pioneers, from the first Black neurosurgeon in the United States to the leader of the first American Red Cross Blood Bank. The medical field would not be where it is today without the lifesaving research and contributions of Black physicians. Locally, you can learn more about Black history by checking out the links below: Revisit a video, from 2021, about…

June is Pride Month, when we recognize the valuable contributions of LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex and Asexual) individuals across America and reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ Americans in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. Ballad Health, as part of its values, supports equality and treating everyone with respect. This applies to patients and visitors to our facilities but also to fellow team members. As healthcare workers, we’re all in this together and no one should be ostracized, harassed or treated unfairly due to their sexual orientation or gender preference. Pride Month The original organizers chose this month to pay homage to the Stonewall uprising in June 1969 in New York City, which helped spark the modern gay rights movement. A police raid at the Stonewall Inn, an LGBTQ bar, led to riots and protests against harassment and unfair treatment of the gay community. A year…

Land acknowledgement Honoring Native American Heritage Month is especially appropriate for Ballad Health, as the land on which some of our facilities sit was once home to and taken from the Cherokee. We want to acknowledge and remember those who lived here before us by being mindful of our duty to care for the land with which we are now entrusted. May the fact that we now use it to promote health and healing for those who live here today be a way to honor the original stewards.   Acknowledging the past A statement of “land acknowledgement,” like the one above, is a centuries-old custom practiced by many Indigenous communities and nations. It’s a way to recognize the original inhabitants of the land and show genuine respect and support for Native Peoples. It’s also a way to respectfully acknowledge tragedies and atrocities Native Peoples suffered at the hands of some explorers and settlers and the…

National Hispanic Heritage Month, an annual celebration of the contributions and achievements of Hispanic people, is spread across several weeks in September and October in honor of the independence day dates of many Latin American countries that fall within the two months. This recognition month has been celebrated since 1968. The theme of the 2021 National Hispanic Heritage Month is “Esperanza (hope): A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage & Hope.” With more than 60 million people of Hispanic or Latino heritage living in the United States, according to 2019 statistics, the influence from roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America has been significant. In fact, the Appalachian region has seen a major Hispanic population boom of 121% from 2000-2010, including 145% in Tennessee. With that growth has come a swell of Hispanic businesses and especially a growing food scene of restaurants. Hispanic ingredients are easily found in grocery stores. Appalachian music also…

  July 26 is the 31st anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Paula Whitehead, Ballad Health’s non-discrimination coordinator, shares some tips on ways to accommodate our patients and team members with disabilities. “The Americans with Disabilities Act opened up a whole new world for patients,” said Whitehead, who helps ensure Ballad Health has accommodations for patients and family members who are deaf, hard of hearing and visually impaired. July 26, designated National Disability Independence Day, celebrates 31 years since the monumental law passed in 1990, advancing rights and accessibility for millions of Americans with disabilities. It’s a wonderful time to recognize our community members, patients and team members of different ability levels. When engaging with those who have disabilities, “Ask the person with the disability what he or she needs. They know better than anyone what accommodations are necessary,” Whitehead said. Here are some etiquette tips and ways to interact…

June is Pride Month, when we recognize the valuable contributions of LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex and Asexual) individuals across America and reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ Americans in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. Ballad Health, as part of its values, supports equality and treating everyone with respect. This applies to patients and visitors to our facilities but also to fellow team members. As healthcare workers, we’re all in this together and no one should be ostracized, harassed or treated unfairly due to their sexual orientation or gender preference. Pride Month The original organizers chose this month to pay homage to the Stonewall uprising in June 1969 in New York City, which helped spark the modern gay rights movement. A police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar, led to riots and protests against harassment and unfair treatment of the gay community. A year…