#United States #Select Medical #Kingsport #Ballad Health #Hospital Partnership

Select Medical Joins Forces with Ballad Health

In a significant development in healthcare services, Select Medical Corporation has announced a new partnership with Ballad Health to jointly operate a cutting-edge critical illness recovery hospital, Select Specialty Hospital – Tri-Cities, located in Kingsport, Tennessee. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in providing specialized care to patients recovering from critical illnesses.

A New Facility to Meet Growing Needs

The agreement involves a membership interest purchase that facilitates the relocation of Select Specialty Hospital from its current location at Ballad Health's Bristol Regional Medical Center to the Indian Path Community Hospital. As the majority owner and managing partner, Select Medical will oversee the operations of this 46-bed facility designed to cater to patients requiring long-term acute care.

Tom Mullin, the president of Select Medical, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "We have served the growing post-ICU care needs of the region for more than 25 years. This partnership with Ballad Health and the new, expanded location will provide the opportunity to help even more critically ill patients heal, recover, and return to their families and community."

Enhancing Patient-Centered Care

From the perspective of Ballad Health, this partnership reflects a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of healthcare services offered to the communities it serves. Marvin Eichorn, executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Ballad Health, remarked on the operational efficiency gained through this new facility: "By relocating Select Specialty Hospital – Tri-Cities to Indian Path Community Hospital, we are expanding access to critical illness recovery services in a way that is both patient-centered and operationally efficient."

The relocative effort dovetails with Ballad Health's mission to address and adapt to the evolving healthcare needs in the region, as highlighted by Dr. Chad Couch, northern region president at Ballad Health. He noted, "This move allows us to better align services within the health system and ensure patients recovering from serious illnesses receive the specialized care they need, closer to home."

A Network of Support

In addition to this new facility in Kingsport, Select Medical operates six additional critical illness recovery hospitals throughout Tennessee—including locations in Jackson, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, and Powell—each providing essential services to cater to the diverse needs of patients.

About Ballad Health

Ballad Health is an integrated community organization striving to improve health outcomes across 29 counties in the Appalachian Highlands, encompassing areas in Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Northwest North Carolina, and Southeast Kentucky. With a robust network of 20 hospitals along with post-acute and behavioral health services, Ballad Health aims to innovate rural healthcare by adopting value-based payment models and addressing social determinants of health.

About Select Medical

As one of the largest operators of critical illness recovery hospitals and rehabilitation facilities in the United States, Select Medical provides comprehensive support through its vast network. As of March 31, 2025, they operated over 100 critical illness recovery hospitals across 29 states as well as 35 rehabilitation hospitals and nearly 2,000 outpatient clinics nationwide.

Both organizations express their enthusiasm about this strategic partnership, highlighting their continuous commitment to the health and wellbeing of the communities they serve. This joint venture not only enhances the available healthcare options but also sets a precedent for similar collaborations in the future, paving the way for innovative healthcare solutions.

For more information about Select Medical, you can visit their website at www.selectmedical.com, and details about Ballad Health can be found at www.BalladHealth.org.