News

Thirty-two Ballad Health Academy students participated in the Halloween Wound Care Lab on Saturday, October 24, at Holston Valley Medical Center. The event marked the second session of the Academy’s Clinical Skills Series, which introduces high school students to essential healthcare skills through engaging, hands-on clinical experiences.  During the four-hour

Students in the Basic Nursing class at Dobyns-Bennett High School completed an IV practice lab on Oct. 22.  During the activity, students used straws to mimic veins to better understand the sensation of a “pop” when advancing through the initial vein wall during IV insertion. This exercise also allowed students

In early October, Ballad Health Academy (BHA) students at Elizabethton High School helped administer flu shots to employees of Elizabethton City Schools. After receiving hands-on training in their dual-enrollment TCAT LPN class at Elizabethton High School, the students put what they learned into practice when their teacher, Katie Dugger, RN,

Ballad Health Academy is expanding at Elizabethton High School, giving students more space to prepare for healthcare careers!  The school’s program has grown from 10 students in its first cohort to 39 students this year, creating a need for additional space for hands-on nursing instruction. A new classroom across the street will

Ballad Health Academy student ambassadors are exemplary student leaders who proudly represent their high school. They serve as liaisons, spokespersons, leaders and advocates for a future in healthcare. To become a student ambassador, students must demonstrate strong leadership skills, a positive attitude, a dedicated work ethic and a commitment to

Indian Path Community Hospital recently hosted a Patient Care Fundamentals minicamp for Ballad Health Academy students. The Sept. 12 event, designed by Ballad Health Academy pathway nurses and instructors from Ballad Health partner schools, gave students meaningful, hands-on exposure to the knowledge and skills healthcare professionals use every day. Throughout

Ballad Health Academy students recently participated in a hands-on medication game designed to make dosage calculations and medication accuracy fun and memorable. Using colorful Skittles and M&Ms as simulated oral medications, students practiced calculating doses, selecting the correct medication and amount, and double-checking their work. The activity encouraged teamwork, critical

Caroline BairdPathway Advisor, Sullivan East High School caroline.baird@balladhealth.org Caroline has built her career around helping students discover opportunities in healthcare and navigate the educational pathways that lead to rewarding careers. Her background in higher education and academic advising has given her the opportunity to work closely with students as they

Hannah Barnett, RN Pathway Nurse, Sullivan East High School and West Ridge High School Hannah started her career in nursing as a nursing assistant while still in high school at along-term care facility. Then, while in nursing school, she transferred toBristol Regional Medical Center’s emergency department to open the door

This fall, each Ballad Health Academy partner high school will receive an Anatomage Table, bringing one of the most advanced anatomy education technologies into our Dual Enrollment Practical Nursing classrooms. The Anatomage Table is a life-sized, interactive, digital anatomy system that allows students to explore the human body in stunning

As Ballad Health Academy begins its second year of preparing high school students for healthcare careers, we are excited to announce our first expansion. Johnson County High School will join seven other area high schools as part of Ballad Health Academy. Beginning this fall, the program will offer coursework to

More than 70 Ballad Health Academy students from our seven partner high schools participated in our second Nursing Careers Camp at Bristol Regional Medical Center on June 15-16. Over two days, students participated in a variety of hands-on skills stations, learned from guest speakers and had an opportunity to work

“Prepare, respond, preserve.” Ballad Health Academy recently completed its inaugural Wilderness First Aid Camp, held at Science Hill High School. Approximately 40 students participated in this unique two-day experience designed to teach emergency response skills in outdoor and remote environments. During camp, students learned how to recognize and respond to

As Ballad Health Academy nears the end of its first operational year, program administrators in partnership with school administrators and health science teachers identified standout students who will help fill a crucial role in the second year of the Academy: Student Ambassadors.   “We have seen so many students across our

Ballad Health welcomed a record second class of 207 students to its Ballad Health Academy program with a series of events hosted at area high schools during National Nurses Week. Launched in 2025 with an inaugural class of 243 students across seven high schools and 11 middle schools in six

The week of September 29-October 3 was an exciting time for our Ballad Health Academy team and students as they welcomed visitors from Bloomberg Philanthropies. During the visit, the Ballad Health Academy team had the opportunity to tour alongside them, showcasing the incredible progress our students have made. Together, they

Ballad Health has introduced a new simulation lab mobile unit to bring high-tech, hands-on healthcare training directly to students at seven regional high schools participating in the newly created Ballad Health Academy. Ballad Health Academy is a medical training program for high school students launching in Fall 2025. Through a

Ballad Health announced the inaugural class of Ballad Health Academy during a signing day ceremony Monday at Greeneville High School. The signing day – held on the first day of National Nurses Week – was the launch of a milestone series of events celebrating high school students committing to a

Ballad Health joins Bloomberg Philanthropies’ first-of-its-kind initiative that connects students to job opportunities with family-sustaining wages in 10 communities across the U.S. Ballad Health, several community colleges and career technical education (CTE) centers and five local school districts announced today an unprecedented partnership that will launch a region-wide initiative in