Making Every Connection Count

In this episode, Josh and Aaron travel to Hancock County Hospital to talk with Phyllis Dossett, Clinical Director, and Sarah Trent-Pressley, Director of Patient Care Services.They discuss the important role rural hospitals play in caring for their communities and the services Hancock County Hospital provides close to home. They also share how being part of the Ballad Health system helps create a broader network of care: patients who can be treated at Hancock County Hospital receive care there, while those who need a higher level of care can be quickly triaged and transferred to the Ballad Health facility best equipped to meet their needs. It’s a great example of how a rural hospital can provide local, community-centered care while connecting patients to the resources of a larger health system when needed.

In this episode, Josh and Aaron visit Johnston Memorial Hospital to talk with Connie Hensley, RN, nurse manager in the emergency department, and Becky Coley, director of patient care services at JMH.They discuss the importance of providing the best possible to care to each and every patient who comes through the emergency department, how each of them found a calling in emergency care, and the ways B Excellent has influenced how their teams interact with patients and one another. The conversation also explores how those changes have affected the patient experience at JHM.

As we cross the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, this episode of the B Excellent Podcast looks back at the storm’s impact and the people who helped their communities move forward.Josh and Aaron talk with Lisa Carter, Ballad Health’s Southern Region President, and Jennifer Harrah, AVP, Digital Care Operations and former CNO and Administrator at Unicoi County Hospital.Lisa and Jennifer reflect on the impact of Hurricane Helene on Ballad Health team members, the community, and themselves. They also look ahead with optimism to the new Unicoi County Hospital and its recent groundbreaking, and discuss how they incorporate B Excellent principles into their day-to-day work.It’s a conversation about resilience, leadership, community, and what it means to look ahead after a life-changing event.

In this episode of the B Excellent Podcast, Aaron and Josh talk to Mike James, Manager in Ballad Health’s Consumer Call Center.Mike talks about the important role the Consumer Call Center plays in our organization and the patient experience, the life and career journey that brought him to Ballad Health, and how his team is incorporating B Excellent principles into their work.

Aaron and Josh sit down with Tammy Albright, Ballad Health's CEO of Behavioral Health, and Eric Carroll, CEO of Greene County, to discuss their respective leadership journeys and the lessons they've learned along the way. The conversation also takes a closer look at a significant event in our region's healthcare history - the consolidation of two hospitals into one in Greeneville. Tammy shares her experience leading the consolidation effort, while Eric reflects on stepping into leadership after the merger to help guide the organization's continued transition. Together, they offer valuable insights on navigating change, building trust, and leading teams through complex challenges with a focus on delivering exceptional care and service.

In this episode, Jack Simpson, president of the Ballad Health Foundation, joins Josh and Aaron to discuss the work of the Foundation, his path into philanthropy, how the Foundation’s mission connects with B Excellent, and his vision for the future.

In this episode, Josh and Aaron welcome back two very special guests - Eric Deaton, our Chief Operating Officer, and Dr. Clay Runnels, our Chief Physician Executive. Eric and Dr. Runnels were the first guests on the podcast and they return to discuss the impact that B Excellent has had on our organization since launch and where the program is headed in the future.

In the latest episode, Josh and Aaron travel to Johnson City Medical Center for a discussion with the facility's new Chief Nursing Officer, Adnan Brka.In this episode, Adnan shares his remarkable journey - from moving to the region from Bosnia without speaking English to building a successful career in healthcare leadership. Along the way, he reflects on the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and the leadership principles that helped guide his path. He also shares how the support he and his family received from the local community during those early years shaped his journey and continues to influence the way he leads today.It’s an inspiring conversation about resilience, growth, and the power of perseverance - and a reminder that leadership journeys often begin with overcoming adversity and embracing opportunities to learn.

Aaron travels to Marion, Virginia to talk with physical therapist Lindsey King, a recent recipient of the prestigious Scott and Nikki Niswonger Servant’s Heart Award.Lindsey shares what inspired her to pursue physical therapy, why she values a career focused on helping others improve their quality of life, and how her faith and commitment to service keep her centered in her work. Her story is a powerful example of our values in action.

To launch our 2026 season, Josh and Aaron sit down with Niswonger Children’s Network CEO Chris Jett. Chris shares his career journey leading up to Ballad Health, why the Niswonger Children’s Network is vital to our region, updates on renovations to Niswonger Children’s Hospital, and the leadership lessons he has learned.