Individual and intensive group therapy services provide needed outpatient alternative to inpatient hospitalization in the region JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Ballad Health is expanding access to behavioral health in the Appalachian Highlands with new and expanded outpatient services that will serve children, adolescents and adults with complex behavioral health needs. Ballad Health physicians, team members and community leaders gathered on Thursday, Feb. 22, to cut the ribbon for the new Behavioral Health Child and Adolescent Outpatient Services clinic at 701 Med Tech Parkway in Johnson City. This new clinic will provide care for the specific needs of children and teens with complex behavioral health needs. The clinic is part of the Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network and provide outpatient mental healthcare for kids 6 to 18 years of age and will provide intensive outpatient programs for children 9 years and older. Ballad Health has also relocated its Behavioral Health Adult Outpatient Services clinic to a…

Network expands partnerships to include hospital services, regional clinics and childcare centers JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — The Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network will take community members across the Appalachian Highlands for its annual Radiothon, to be held Thursday, Feb. 29, and Friday, March 1. Now in its 12th year, the Niswonger Children’s Network Radiothon brings the community together to support the children’s network, its programs and its patients. The radiothon is the network’s largest annual fundraiser, and to date, it has raised more than $4 million for local babies, children, teenagers and their families. The 2024 Niswonger Children’s Hospital Radiothon will support the continued enhancement of network offerings and services, including the expansion of Niswonger Children’s Hospital’s main campus, new subspecialty care and children’s network partners across the region. “Since the creation of Ballad Health, Niswonger Children’s Hospital has become more than a building – it’s the epicenter of healthcare for local children, and to…

Important reminder to our clinical team members tasked with giving medication to patients:Please be aware that packaging for EPINEPHrine for anaphylaxis has changed. There is a difference between the dose of EPINEPHrine for anaphylaxis vs. the dose for cardiac arrest. For anaphylaxis, EPINEPHrine is given intramuscularly at a low dose, whereas for cardiac arrest a higher dose is required intravenously – but the dosages can appear to be similar and may be easily mistaken. As part of our journey as a High Reliability Organization, we strive to be a zero-harm health system. With that in mind, Ballad Health’s pharmacy team has created new packaging for EPINEPHrine for anaphylaxis intended to help team members identify the correct dose and administration. Here’s what our clinical teams should know When administering EPINEPHrine for anaphylaxis, nurses must remember to remove the dose from the Omnicell, where the labeled box is located. Nurses must be familiar with the correct indications,…

One of the most important steps you can take toward staying heart-healthy is getting a CT cardiac calcium screening – and Ballad Health is offering these screenings at numerous locations throughout the region for only $49. A computerized tomography (CT) cardiac calcium screening is a simple, safe, quick and low-radiation way to find out your risk for coronary disease and sudden heart attack. Not everyone needs to take one, but many people should. See the list included below for risk factors that qualify you for a screening. If you or someone you know could benefit from this screening, please follow up. It could be a lifesaver! Important note about making an appointment In Tennessee, a physician order is not required to schedule this screening. To make an appointment, call 423.431.1709. In Virginia, a physician order is required to schedule this screening. Talk with your primary care provider to learn more. If you do not have…

Did you know we’ve introduced several new digital tools to make accessing and managing your healthcare services even more convenient? Here’s what’s new: Ballad Health MyChart: If you have yet to try MyChart, your online medical record, we encourage you to do so. You can access your medical information, message your healthcare team, manage your appointments and more! To get started with your MyChart account: Download the Ballad Health app. Open the app and select Create an Account. Android iOS Visit mychart.balladhealth.org and select Sign Up Today. Call 833-8-BALLAD to connect with one of our helpful associates. eCheck-in: Avoid the line! This feature allows you to save time by preregistering for your scheduled appointments. Before your appointment, Ballad Health MyChart will send you a text message or email indicating that your eCheck-in is ready. Text Messaging: Our new texting platform, Hello World, allows patients to receive text messages for upcoming appointments, make convenient payments and…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — As it continues to expand access to healthcare, Ballad Health Medical Associates cut the ribbon on a new facility at 161 Heart Drive, Johnson City, that will house both an urgent care and sports medicine clinic. The Ballad Health Medical Associates Sports Medicine clinic, located in Suite B, is now open, with an expanded footprint of sports medicine services within the region. The new clinic aims to support athletes and individuals of all ages in achieving their optimal physical well-being. Simultaneously, the Ballad Health Medical Associates Urgent Care has relocated from its previous location on Marketplace Boulevard, next to Northern Tool and the county clerk’s office, to 161 Heart Drive, Suite A. This strategic move ensures accessibility and timely healthcare services for the community. Investments in the new facility include: Quicker access to care: Having sports medicine and urgent care services located together means patients can experience faster access to the…

Ballad Health is conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and needs the input of our team members! Every three years, Ballad Health collaborates with local health departments and community organizations to complete this CHNA process, which includes a Community Member Survey we want both the community and our team members to take. The survey will help us develop a better understanding about issues related to perceptions about our community, quality of life, availability of services, physical and mental health and more! Click here to take the survey. Our overarching goal is to make the Appalachian Highlands region a healthier place for everyone. The community survey is a powerful tool structured to allow us to hear directly from those we serve – which includes our team members. It is our hope that we’ll be able to identify and prioritize issues our community is facing and understand what is most important to them. About the Community…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Local high school students were able to engage with the latest robotic surgery technology during Ballad Health’s first-ever da Vinci Robotics Symposium. The event featured presentations led by local surgeons who specialize in robotic surgery, offering attendees an in-depth overview of the leading-edge field of robotics-assisted surgery. The presentation also shed light on career opportunities within robotics and health science fields. Following the presentation, students participated in demonstrations with the da Vinci robots, getting first-hand use of the innovative technology used in surgical procedures. The interactive sessions gave the students immersive and personalized experiences, building on the foundational health science and technology curriculums in their schools.  “Engaging with students early on and providing them with hands-on experiences in robotics can be a pivotal factor in shaping their interest in health science fields,” said Dr. Stephanie Hart, a general surgeon with Ballad Health Medical Associates who provided the demonstrations. “These students have…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.— Marsh Regional Blood Center is spreading the love to the region’s four-legged friends, with its annual Pints for Paws blood drive. From Feb. 5-9, anyone who donates blood or platelets at one of Marsh Regional’s three blood centers will have the opportunity to also support local animal shelters and rescue groups. For every blood donation collected, Marsh Regional will donate $10 to the donor’s shelter or other animal support group of choice. “Pints for Paws is one of our favorite drives of the year because it gives our donors a chance to not only support their community, but also the animals in our region who are also in need,” said Steffanie Sukel, director of Marsh Regional. “We know our donors have big hearts for animals, and this event is the perfect opportunity to spread the love to our local animal shelters and rescue groups.” For every blood donation collected, Marsh Regional will…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Marsh Regional Blood Center has issued an urgent plea for blood donations, particularly from donors with O-negative blood, which can be used for any patient. Blood donations are especially important during the winter months, due to blood drive and center cancellations from winter weather. However, the need for blood to treat illnesses and injuries does not slow down. “Blood supplies have decreased not just in this region, but nationwide, since the winter months,” said Steffanie Sukel, director of Marsh Regional. “Throughout the rest of the winter months, it will be especially crucial for people to give blood to keep up with demand and meet the needs of our region.”  Marsh Regional will conduct public community blood drives at the following locations: Thursday, Feb. 1, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., J.I Burton High School, Norton, Virginia Thursday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m.- 4p.m., Wytheville Community College, Wytheville, Virginia Thursday, Feb. 1, noon-6 p.m., Food City in…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health and the Ballad Health Innovation Center are partnering with 410 Medical, Inc. to use its LifeFlow device, a rapid fluid delivery mechanism that a rapid fluid delivery mechanism that reduces the time needed to revive a patient in need of blood or fluids. Designed to help overcome common barriers to fluid delivery, LifeFlow is an easy-to-use, portable device that rapidly and efficiently delivers fluids to patients with critical conditions such as sepsis, shock, trauma, cardiac arrest and severe hemorrhage. LifeFlow can deliver 1 liter of fluid or two units of blood in less than four minutes, while traditional methods can take three to 10 times longer. LifeFlow is an easy-to-use, portable device that rapidly and efficiently delivers fluids to patients with critical conditions such as sepsis, shock, trauma, cardiac arrest and severe hemorrhage. Ballad Health Innovation Center’s partnership with Durham, North Carolina-based 410 Medical, Inc. includes a pilot project…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Sean Mills, an accomplished executive with more than 15 years of experience in managing hospital finances, has joined Ballad Health to serve as the chief financial officer for its Northern Region. Mills will oversee all the finances of the Northern Region, which covers the health system’s hospitals in Bristol, Kingsport and Southwest Virginia, including Bristol Regional Medical Center, Holston Valley Medical Center and Johnston Memorial Hospital. In this new position, Mills will be responsible for ensuring the region’s financial stability, growth and strategic success. He will oversee budgetary processes and develop financial strategies to promote the long-term sustainability and success of the hospitals within his region. “I am honored to join Ballad Health and contribute to its mission of providing high-quality healthcare services to the Appalachian Highlands,” Mills said. “I look forward to collaborating with the talented team throughout the region to further enhance financial performance and support the organization’s commitment…