Ballad Health Board of Directors Authorizes $60 Million New Emergency Department and ER Expansion at Johnson City Medical Center
At its Aug. 26 meeting, the Ballad Health Board of Directors approved a major capital investment to construct a new and expanded Emergency Department at Johnson City Medical Center.
The project was first proposed by the health system’s management in early 2024. Now, with the board’s approval, planning – including a collaborative process with input from team members, medical staff, patients and members of the community – will begin immediately. The new emergency department is expected to be completed by 2027 and is in addition to the current expansion of Niswonger Children’s Hospital.
The announcement of this project comes after surveyors from the State of Tennessee applauded the high level of trauma care being provided at Johnson City Medical Center for the entire region, with its recent triennial survey that found zero deficiencies in the operation of the center.
“Johnson City Medical Center has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to care for the injured patient,” said the State of Tennessee Survey Report. “The administrative support and leadership are also exceptional. It is obvious that the trauma center is represented and supported at the highest level.”
The high level of support cited by the survey team includes that from the Ballad Health Board of Directors, which unanimously concluded that the growth in the volume of emergency department patients, combined with the current physical capacity of the hospital’s emergency department, supports the capital investment.
“I think anyone who has used the emergency department at Johnson City Medical Center would agree the hospital has outgrown the space,” said Ballad Health Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alan Levine. “We believe this investment will help provide more privacy, more treatment rooms and a better patient experience, all of which are very important to the families who rely on emergency and trauma care at Johnson City Medical Center.”
“Johnson City Medical Center and Niswonger Children’s Hospital serve patients from throughout the region, including western North Carolina and parts of Kentucky,” said Kenny Shafer, CEO of Johnson City Medical Center. “This expansion will help us meet the needs of the region as we prioritize being able to care for people when they need it the most.”
The project is expected to increase the square footage of the adult emergency department to 50,000 square feet from the current 37,000 square feet. Adult patient rooms will increase from 36 to 55, and two additional trauma rooms will be added. Additionally, larger and more modern waiting areas will be established, prioritizing an improved patient experience.
The board also approved more than $200 million of additional capital projects, which will be invested throughout the region. Details on those investments, which include major technological updates and service expansions, will be provided in the coming weeks.
Please visit the hyperlinked pages for more information about Johnson City Medical Center, including its emergency department and the Level 1 Trauma Center.
