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Dani Cook makes her case before the Hawkins County Commission Monday why it should oppose service downgrades planned in Kingsport and Bristol by Ballad Health. Following a lengthy public hearing Monday Hawkins County commissioners approved four resolutions opposing Ballad Health restructuring plans that will affect trauma care, Kingsport's NICU, and local cancer treatment.
jbobo
Hawkins County Commission

Hawkins Commission approves resolutions opposing Ballad Health service downgrades

VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERY: Following a lengthy public hearing Monday, Hawkins County commissioners approved four resolutions opposing Ballad Health restructuring plans that will affect trauma care, Kingsport's NICU, and local cancer treatment.

Today at 5:30 PM
mlane
Ballad Health

State wants more information about Ballad's proposed NICU changes

The Tennessee Department of Health sent a letter on Thursday to Ballad Health requesting additional information about the proposed changes to the NICU services offered in Kingsport and Johnson City. Ballad officials say the request was expected.

Dec 14, 2018 at 8:00 PM
L-R: Washington County, Tenn. Mayor Joe Grandy and Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable sign copies of a joint resolution approved during a historic first in October as the Sullivan County Commission and Washington County Commission held a joint meeting at Tri-Cities Airport. By voice votes, each commission approved the resolution to declare October 18 "Regional Cooperation Day."
josborne
Regionalism

Grandy and Venable continue push for regional cooperation

BLOUNTVILLE — Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable and Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy have appointed the “Blue Ribbon Committee on Regional Cooperation” to consider potential regional economic development strategies. “We must do all we can to position our region to compete and succeed in the highly technological future,” Venable said.

Dec 12, 2018 at 8:14 AM
Dale Poe, CFO of Ballad Health's northwest market, takes Sharon Harbin, RN, home after her shift.
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Ballad Health

Inside Ballad's Four-Wheel Drive Club

The club, which has been running for 12 years, is staffed by Holston Valley team members who volunteer to pick up other team members like nurses, healthcare technicians, food and nutrition staff and others who may be stranded at their homes due to inclement weather and unable to get to work. 

Dec 11, 2018 at 10:30 PM
In this file photo, BOS Chairman David Redwine speaks at last Monday's called meeting.
hviers
Scott County

Scott County sending resolutions opposing Ballad plans to health departments

On Nov. 26, the Scott County Board of Supervisors voted to send resolutions to Ballad Health’s management opposing the changes. On Wednesday, the BOS voted to take it a step further by sending those same resolutions to the health departments in Tennessee and Virginia.

Dec 7, 2018 at 11:30 AM
Ballad Health Executive Chairman, President and CEO Alan Levine at right points to a slide showing trauma case data to the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen at left. Levine's presentation focused on why Holston Valley Medical Center is losing its Level One trauma center status and neonatal intensive care unit.
hhayes
Ballad Health

Citizens hear Ballad Health's reasons for change at HVMC

KINGSPORT — Close to 100 concerned citizens sought answers from Ballad Health leaders Thursday night about why Holston Valley Medical Center’s Level 1 trauma status and neonatal intensive care unit are going away under the health care system's regional realignment plan.

Dec 7, 2018 at 7:18 AM
JOHN CLARK
mlane
Ballad Health

Kingsport BMA wants more information on Ballad plan

Kingsport’s elected officials are asking Ballad Health officials, including CEO Alan Levine, to attend a community meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kingsport Higher Education Center to offer more insight and details about the decision to downgrade the trauma center at Holston Valley.

Dec 4, 2018 at 8:10 AM
eboard

Editorial: Ballad’s plan merits full support of the region

Votes by political entities in the region opposing Ballad Health’s reorganization ignore reality. They express a desire to keep regional hospital services much as they are, when status quo has been shown to be unsustainable.

Updated Dec 3, 2018 at 1:53 PM
Ballad Health Executive Chairman, President and CEO Alan Levine holds up a map showing the location of trauma centers in Tennessee during a meeting with the Kingsport Times News and Johnson City Press editorial boards on Thursday.
hhayes
Ballad Health

Ballad defends plan to realign services

In a meeting at the Times News, Ballad Health President and CEO Alan Levine launched a vigorous defense of the healthcare provider’s announced move to regionalize and realign services amid pushback from local governments and attacks on social media.

Updated Nov 30, 2018 at 11:55 AM
hviers
flu shots

Free flu shots to be offered in Sullivan, Hawkins

Several regional health departments are offering flu vaccines at no charge during the “FightFluTN” vaccination event. Five locations in Sullivan and Hawkins counties will offer the free shots, and no appointments are needed.

Nov 29, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Lindy White
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Ballad Health

White named to lead Ballad Health's Kingsport operations

Ballad Health announced on Thursday that Lindy White is returning to the healthcare provider as the president of its Kingsport operations, and chief executive officer of Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital.

Nov 29, 2018 at 5:22 PM
The Holston Valley Medical Center emergency room where its Level 1 Trauma Center is currently located.
jbobo
Hawkins County Commission

Hawkins schedules Dec. 17 public hearing on Ballad trauma center downgrades

Hawkins County commissioners won't consider a resolution opposing Ballad Health's plan to downgrade Kingsport's Trauma Center until the public voices its opinion on the subject in the presence of Ballad officials next month.

Nov 27, 2018 at 5:30 PM
Eric Deaton, senior Vice President of marketing operations for Ballad, speaks to the Board of Supervisors.
hviers
Ballad Heatlh

Scott County passes resolution opposing Ballad Health’s trauma, NICU changes

Addressing the BOS and a packed crowd of spectators, Ballad Health officials attended the two-hour meeting to explain the changes and the impact they could have on Scott County residents.

Nov 26, 2018 at 7:28 PM
jbobo
Hawkins County Commission

Hawkins officials concerned about patient transport times after Kingsport trauma center downgrade

"If we put all our time and resources into getting them to change plans they've already set in stone ... I don't want to look back and say we've had 8-10 months and we're not prepared for the transport of patients (to Johnson City).” — Commissioner John Metz

Nov 23, 2018 at 8:30 AM
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Sullivan County Sheriff''s Office

Inmates offered free vaccinations after one case of hepatitis A discovered at Sullivan jail

According to a joint press release issued Wednesday by the SCSO and the Sullivan County Health Department, there was only one case, and infection control measures have been implemented including isolating the inmate to prevent further spread of the disease.

Nov 21, 2018 at 6:33 PM
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