Ballad Health invests in 48 community health partnerships for fiscal year 2025, serving 105,000 people in the Appalachian Highlands

Ballad Health is reinforcing its commitment to healthier communities by investing in 48 community health improvement partnerships and collaborations for fiscal year 2025. This funding supports programs benefiting 105,000 people across the Appalachian Highlands, improving maternal child health, reducing preventable early death and addressing critical needs like healthcare access, education and food security.

This investment is part of Ballad Health’s Community Health Improvement sites program, which funds partnerships across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, aligning with the health system’s goal to be a model for rural health improvement, significantly reducing the total number of preventable early deaths over the next decade. Through partnerships with local organizations, the program focuses on improving the health status and quality of life for people in our region, especially those who are most vulnerable. With a focus on reducing health disparities that contribute to early death in the region, these evidence-based initiatives are designed to create measurable impacts on the health and well-being of the Appalachian Highlands, ensuring resources reach the individuals and communities who need them most. A variety of organizations have received support from this program since Ballad Health was created in 2018, with organizations supported and amounts provided varying annually based on funding availability, program goals and partnership focus.

This year’s investment is distributed to initiatives across 48 organizations, many of which are working collaboratively to support collective impact goals and strategies aimed at improving health outcomes in the region, aligning with the regional focus of the STRONG Accountable Care Community for which Ballad Health provides backbone support services. Recognizing the undeniable relationship between educational and economic success for individuals, families and communities and long-term health, some investments focus on improving Kindergarten readiness and supporting early school success.

“Improving health in the Appalachian Highlands means addressing both healthcare access and the social conditions that influence it,” said Anthony Keck, Ballad Health’s executive vice president of system innovation and chief population health officer. “This investment underscores the power of partnerships and collaboration in creating healthier communities. Together, we can reduce early life lost and become a national model for rural health.”

This year’s $3.5 million investment was committed to organizations through a proposal process last spring, bringing Ballad Health’s total investment in focused community health programs since the health system’s 2018 inception to more than $12.9 million, which has been specifically designated to promote regionwide health and well-being, while improving the trajectory of future health outcomes.

“Community-driven organizations are essential to creating meaningful change,” said Dr. Paula Masters, Ballad Health’s chief health disparities officer. “Our investment in our Community Health Improvement site partners reflect our belief in their potential to address unique health challenges and drive lasting transformation. Through collective impact, we can align resources and expertise to make a difference.”

Impacting lives at the grassroots level

By prioritizing evidence-based strategies and aligning with key population health metrics, Ballad Health and its partners are fostering meaningful progress. The funding has enabled partners to expand services, strengthen their programs, and position themselves to seek more diversified funding—a strategy which is critical to the ongoing sustainability of these programs. By making this announcement, Ballad Health hopes to raise awareness of the great work these organizations are doing and broaden community support for their work.

Three examples include:

Family Crisis Support Services, Inc.: "Through Ballad Health’s partnership, Family Crisis Support Services, Inc. has been able to provide life-changing resources and support to individuals and families experiencing the most challenging moments of their lives,” said Marybeth Matthews-Adkins, chief executive officer. “This investment has allowed us to expand critical services, from safe housing and counseling to education and advocacy, ensuring that those we serve can find hope and healing. Together, we are building stronger, safer communities, one step at a time."

Speedway Children’s Charities: "At Speedway Children’s Charities, our mission is to ensure that every child in our community has opportunities to thrive no matter their circumstances,” said senior manager Betsy Holleman. “Thanks to Ballad Health’s partnership, we’ve been able to broaden our reach, supporting initiatives that address the social and emotional health of children across the region. Whether through educational programs, access to health resources, or opportunities for enrichment, this partnership is transforming lives and creating brighter futures for children in the Appalachian Highlands."

Girls, Inc. of Bristol: “Since 1950, Girls, Inc. of Bristol has worked to provide young girls in our region with the social, cultural and educational opportunities they might not otherwise have,” said Callie Cunningham, CEO of Girls, Inc. of Bristol. “We’ve worked hard through the decades to adapt and meet the specific environmental challenges facing girls and young women in our region, and Ballad Health’s support will enable us to continue supporting the inherent potential of the girls and young women in our communities.”

“Our Community Health Improvement investments demonstrate the partnerships needed to influence health outcomes shaped by life experiences, education and community resources,” said Todd Norris, Ballad Health’s senior vice president of community health and system advancement. “By working together, we can plant the seeds for healthier futures across the Appalachian Highlands.

“Each of us has a critical role to play in supporting our own health, the health of our families and the organizations that are making a difference.”

The list of Fiscal Year 2025 Community Health Improvement sites and collaborations are:

•    A Step Ahead Foundation Collaborative (East Tennessee and Tri-Cities)
•    ACTION Coalition
•    Appalachian Literacy Initiative
•    Appalachian Promise Alliance
•    Appalachian Sustainable Development
•    Boys and Girls Club Collaborative (Mountain Empire, Elizabethton, Kingsport, Johnson City, Morristown, Greene County)
•    Carter County Drug Prevention
•    Coalition for Kids
•    Cocke County Cradle to Career Coalition (C5)
•    Communities In Schools of Appalachian Highlands 
•    ETSU Pediatrics
•    Fahe Collaborative (Appalachian Community Action, Appalachian Service Project, Bristol Rehabilitation & Housing Authority, Clinch-Powell RC&D, Eastern 8 Community Development Corp., Kingsport Housing & Rehabilitation Authority, and Open Door Community)
•    Family Crisis Support Services, Inc.
•    Feeding Southwest Virginia
•    Girls Inc. Bristol
•    Habitat for Humanity Collaborative (Greene, Hawkins, Holston, and Lakeway Area)
•    HOLA Lakeway
•    Mountain Empire of Older Citizen Healthy Families
•    My Ride TN
•    Niswonger Foundation
•    RISE Healthy for Life
•    Salvation Army Collaborative (Bristol, Johnson City, Kingsport)
•    Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee
•    Speedway Children’s Charities
•    Virginia’s Kids Belong
•    YMCA Collaborative (Bristol, Kingsport, Unicoi, Greene)
•    YWCA of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia – Moms R Us

For more insights into the far-reaching impacts of these community health programs or to explore avenues for collaboration, please visit www.balladhealth.org.