Ballad Health announces new Center for Urological Services to serve Southwest Virginia

New Quillen Center, made possible by generous $1 million gift, will focus on improving access for a specialty that faces severe national urologist shortages as increasing numbers retire

According to the American Urological Association, 60% of counties in the United States lack a practicing urologist, a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the urinary tract and reproductive system. Additionally, the existing urology workforce is aging with about 30% of the workforce being age 65 or older, and half being over the age of 55. The shortage of urologists is worse in rural and non-urban communities. Only 7% of younger urologists under the age of 45 are practicing outside of metropolitan areas, meaning that absent a focused effort, access will continue to deteriorate in these communities.

In the Appalachian Highlands, there remain exceptional urologists practicing in Kingsport and Johnson City. However, consistent with national trends, and despite efforts to recruit, the number of urologists practicing has decreased, and access has become more of a challenge. With only 300 urologists entering the workforce each year throughout the United States, rural communities will continue to struggle with recruitment of newly trained specialists.

In an effort to differentiate Southwest Virginia in its efforts to invest in urological services, including Bristol, Abingdon and surrounding communities, Ballad Health is announcing the creation of The Quillen Center for Urological Services, based at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Virginia.

This new center is made possible through a gift of $1 million from Mike and Debbie Quillen for the purpose of establishing the center, recruiting leadership and creating a center of excellence model supported by technology and innovation.

“The national shortage of physicians is a critical problem which is notably worse in rural and non-urban communities,” said Ballad Health chairman and chief executive officer Alan Levine. “With only 300 new urologists entering the national workforce annually, it is clear we must develop our own solutions to these challenges. Through innovation and investments in technology, we can attract seasoned specialists who want to make a difference. The Quillen Center for Urological Services is exactly the way forward.

“In addition to thanking Mike and Debbie Quillen for their extremely generous support of Ballad Health, I want to thank Sen. Todd Pillion, who has championed not only the creation of this center, and has been encouraging others to support it, but has also led many initiatives which have improved access to health care for the people in our region,” added Levine.

Senator Pillion highlighted the importance of finding local solutions to problems, saying, “While government at the state and federal level has a responsibility to help with solutions, it is through local innovation and partnerships with the community that we can attract exceptional physicians. Mike and Debbie Quillen have always put their community first and this is yet another example. This partnership will stand out to demonstrate that we should all be invested in working to better serve patients right here in Southwest Virginia.”

The Quillen Center for Urological Services will seek to hire a urologist who wishes to practice, develop technology and participate in creating a regional model for urological services. Ballad Health has invested in the newest robotic surgical capabilities at its hospitals in Abingdon and Bristol and is in the process of investing in the newest technology for cancer treatment. These investments, combined with a focus on creating a center of excellence, will serve to help attract and retain urological specialists who seek this technology alongside the culture of the Appalachian Highlands region.

Other investments made possible through this philanthropic gift include minimally invasive kidney stone treatment, such as a MOSES laser, which can be used to break up stones in the urinary tract using minimally invasive shock waves.

“Our hospitals in Abingdon and Bristol are exceptional because they have enjoyed tremendous support in the communities they serve,” said John Jeter, chief executive officer of both hospitals. “This gift is made possible through the ongoing support of Mike and Debbie Quillen, who have done so much for our Southwest Virginia communities. Not only have they made this gift, but they are encouraging others to join as we build this critically important specialty to serve our communities.”

The Quillen family, natives to the region who have raised their family locally, understand the importance of philanthropy to advance regional healthcare. They share Ballad Health’s vision to improve access to services available in areas of critical need. Their previous support established the Barbara Humphreys Birthing Center in Kingsport, providing essential, family-centered maternity care at Indian Path Community Hospital. They also supported renovations at Bristol Regional Medical Center to provide families with comfortable, updated surroundings at the Deborah H. Quillen Birthing Center.

“Debbie and I are pleased to be in a position to make this investment in healthcare services for our community,” said Mike Quillen. “As life-long residents, we have personally experienced the difference Ballad Health makes for our family and our community, and we want to see our hospitals continue to grow in capability. We’re excited to watch the development of this new center at Johnston Memorial Hospital and know it will make a difference for many people.”

A highly functioning Center for Urological Services will not only provide much-needed access to patients in Southwest Virginia but will also be connected to training and research through Ballad Health and its academic partnerships.

“To reverse the shortage of urology practitioners, we not only have to compete for the specialists that are already practicing, but we have to find new ways to attract more clinicians to the profession,” said Chad Couch, MD, president of Ballad Health’s Northern Region and an experienced, board-certified urologist.

“By establishing a center with high-quality, leading-edge equipment and opportunities for research, we will have a greater chance of attracting urologists to practice in the area, securing stable access to necessary services that will benefit patients for generations to come.”

“We are grateful to Mike and Debbie Quillen for their longstanding support of local healthcare,” said Carla Karst, a member of the Ballad Health Board of Directors and chair of Ballad Health Foundation. “They both have long and generous histories of support for healthcare in the Appalachian Highlands, including service to both Ballad Health and its foundation as board members. Individuals like the Quillens help ensure we can continue to bring world-class care to our community.”

Learn more about Johnston Memorial Hospitals’ urology services here.