Carter County commissioners press Ballad Health over Sycamore Shoals ICU closure

Carter County commissioners pressed Ballad Health representatives at their May 15 meeting over Ballad’s announced closure of the intensive care/ progressive care (ICU/PCU) unit at Sycamore Shoals Hospital.

Commissioner Angie Odom opened the exchange during commissioner comments, saying there was no prior notice to the community and stressing the loss of services. "If we don’t do that then we shouldn’t be in the seats, we were elected to," Commissioner Willie Campbell said, arguing commissioners must advocate for residents. Commissioner Todd Smith said the county cannot "do without this facility" and urged action to keep services local.

Ballad Health representatives including Dwayne Taylor and Morgan May attended to explain the decision. Dwayne Taylor, a Ballad representative, said the company made the choice believing "this is absolutely the best move for our residents," and added that staff will not lose their jobs. "The dedication of the staff and team at Sycamore Shoals has been recognized," he said, and Ballad has invested in the hospital in recent months.

Several commissioners questioned Ballad’s motives and the practical impacts. Commissioner Aaron Frazier, who chaired parts of the meeting, said, "while the people of Carter County are being told that it has nothing to do with money, it has everything to do with money." Commissioner Nancy Brown cited financial figures, saying "Ballad lost $17.6 million in the first quarter because of traveling nurses but Mr. Levine got $1.5 million in bonuses," and urged Ballad to consider selling the facility if county needs are not valued.

Commissioners raised operational concerns: Donnie Cable noted travel times to alternate facilities, saying it takes him "45 minutes to get to the courthouse... another 10 minutes to Sycamore Shoals and another 15/20 minutes to Johnson City Medical Center," and questioned patient transport burdens and response gaps for emergency services. Aaron Frazier cited demographics, noting the county’s older population and the proportion of ED visits and ICU admissions coming from residents aged over 55.

Ballad defended its decision as patient-centered and operationally necessary. Taylor said consolidation of services "will make all services better" and that Ballad "absolutely" recognizes transport and EMS concerns; he said Ballad has been in conversation with EMS leadership. Morgan May said sign-on bonus incentives at Johnson City Medical Center target hard-to-staff shifts such as night and PCU positions.

Mayor Patty Woodby urged partnership measures, proposing workforce-development collaborations with Northeast State Community College and TCAT and asking the commission to allow her to convene a local team to work with Ballad on training and retention. A Ballad representative identified as Lisa said Ballad is "extremely interested" in developing local training programs and pursuing grants to support healthcare education.

What happened next: Commissioners did not take a formal vote on the ICU/PCU decision at the meeting. Mayor Woodby said she would represent the county at relevant meetings and pursue partnerships intended to increase local staffing and clinical capacity. The exchange closed with officials agreeing to continue local discussions with Ballad and to explore workforce and training options.

The transcript records this discussion and the pledges to pursue local partnerships; no formal county policy change or vote on the SSH ICU/PCU decision was recorded at the May 15 meeting.