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Advancing Local Pediatric Emergency & Trauma Care
When a child’s life hangs in the balance, seconds matter — and so does specialized care. For families across the Appalachian Highlands, Niswonger Children’s Hospital is the region’s trusted destination for pediatric emergency and trauma care.
As our area’s only children’s hospital, we provide comprehensive care in an environment designed specifically for children and families.
Our pediatric emergency department is integrated with Johnson City Medical Center’s emergency department, forming our region’s only designated Level I Trauma Center for both adult and pediatric patients. This designation reflects our commitment to provide the highest standards of clinical excellence, staffing and coordinated trauma care.
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A pediatric emergency room built for a growing population
Our pediatric emergency department is often the first point of contact for critically ill and injured children, so we must remain prepared 24/7.
As our region grows and pediatric volumes increase, expanding and modernizing the emergency department has become an urgent priority.
Intentional design with children in mind
Children require specialized equipment, environments and expertise.
Philanthropic investment and donations will ensure they receive care in a space intentionally designed to keep children safe and comfortable while meeting their unique needs.
Furthermore, investing in pediatric care in our region means that children and families have access to specialized healthcare services close to home.
Planned renovations will:
- Expand and modernize pediatric trauma spaces
- Improve patient flow and reduce wait times
- Enhance safety, monitoring and infection control
- Strengthen family-centered spaces
- Ensure the facility meets the highest standards of pediatric trauma readiness
Advancing pediatric surgery close to home
When a child needs surgery, families should be able to get expert care close to home.
Today, many advanced pediatric procedures require larger operating rooms, specialized equipment and advanced technology than Niswonger Children's Hospital's current surgical spaces were designed to support. As a result, some families must leave the region for care, adding stress, travel expenses and time away from work, school and family.
Expanding and modernizing pediatric operating rooms will help more children receive advanced surgical care right here at home by:
- Reducing the need for transfers to hospitals outside the region
- Shortening wait times for surgery
- Increasing access to advanced pediatric procedures
- Improving efficiency for patients, families and care teams
The project will relocate pediatric surgery into larger, modern operating rooms built to support today's most complex procedures and the technologies that make them possible.
By keeping more care in the region, Niswonger Children's Hospital can continue strengthening pediatric services and ensuring families have access to the specialized care they need, closer to home.
Strengthening adult Level I trauma care
Supporting adult trauma services at Johnson City Medical Center is equally critical to maintaining a fully integrated and advanced regional trauma system.
Key priorities include:
- Expanding trauma surgeons, trauma resuscitation emergency care (TREC) nurses and performance improvement staff
- Further supporting trauma research and quality initiatives
- Recruiting trauma-focused orthopedic surgeons and expanding emergency surgery coverage
- Strengthening coordinated air and ground transport through the Ballad Health Clinical Command Center
- Expanding trauma bays and supporting workforce, research and clinical infrastructure
Together, these investments strengthen Johnson City Medical Center’s role as the backbone of regional trauma care while supporting Niswonger Children’s Hospital's mission to offer innovative local pediatric care.
Why major gifts matter
Emergency and trauma programs must remain fully staffed, technologically advanced and clinically prepared 24/7.
Major philanthropic support enables us to move beyond maintaining excellence to working towards shaping the future of emergency and trauma care.
Major gifts can accelerate:
- Pediatric emergency department renovation and expansion
- Adult trauma bay expansion and infrastructure improvements
- Recruitment and retention of exceptional clinical talent
- More research, education and innovation
- Equitable access to lifesaving care across the region
Most importantly, philanthropy ensures the highest level of care is already in place when every second counts.
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A legacy of protection
Investing in our region's children and families
An investment in pediatric emergency care at Niswonger Children’s Hospital protects every child in our region. An investment in adult trauma care at Johnson City Medical Center strengthens the system that protects entire families.
Together, these institutions share one commitment: no matter the age, injury or circumstance, lifesaving expertise will be ready for those in our region.
We invite prospective partners to contact Ballad Health Foundation to explore transformational giving opportunities. You can email us at foundation@balladhealth.org or call us at (423) 302-3131 for more details.
Help build a legacy of hope and healing
We invite philanthropic partners, community leaders and supporters to join us in advancing pediatric surgical care at Niswonger Children’s Hospital.
By investing in pediatric surgical infrastructure today, you are investing in children’s lives, supporting families when they need it most and helping build a healthier future for our region.
Contact us or donate today
Please email us at foundation@balladhealth.org or call us at (423) 302-3131 for more information.
If you’re ready to give, you can make an online donation today.