Ballad Health Academy holds signing ceremony for inaugural class

Ballad Health announced the inaugural class of Ballad Health Academy during a signing day ceremony Monday at Greeneville High School.

The signing day – held on the first day of National Nurses Week – was the launch of a milestone series of events celebrating high school students committing to a transformative educational journey toward a career in healthcare.

Signing celebrations, designed to honor and spotlight students’ commitment – similar to a collegiate athlete signing day – will also be held at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Elizabethton High School, Tennessee High School in Bristol, Sullivan East High School in Bluff City, West Ridge High School in Blountville and Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport throughout the week of May 5. 

Ballad Health Academy is a free visionary high school medical training program that will provide students with job experience and dual-enrollment courses – powered by the Tennessee College of Applied Technology – dedicated to accelerating pathways into healthcare careers. This initiative is part of a first-of-its-kind $250 million effort funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies that is connecting healthcare and education systems to create new career and technical education (CTE) high schools in 10 urban and rural communities across the country.

The innovative school-within-a-school approach addresses the unique rural nature of the Appalachian Highlands by providing access to accelerated education and training in a healthcare career, while maintaining the benefits of attending a child’s community school. The new program that begins in Fall 2025 will incorporate in-person, virtual and in-hospital education and integrate healthcare career knowledge and job training with a high-quality, well-rounded high school experience for students throughout the Appalachian Highlands. Graduating students will have the opportunity to move directly into high-demand healthcare jobs with family-sustaining wages upon graduation from high school.

“The nationwide shortage of healthcare workers has reached a critical level, and Ballad Health – along with our team members and patients – has felt the profound impact of this crisis firsthand,” said Alan Levine, Ballad Health chairman and chief executive officer.

“Our region has the power to be part of the solution, and Ballad Health Academy is designed to become a national model for how local communities can address the healthcare workforce crisis. By preparing students to fill essential roles in our hospitals – and guaranteeing each graduate a job interview with Ballad Health – we are building a stronger pipeline of caregivers and helping to ease the nationwide healthcare staffing shortage.”

Program highlights:

• Comprehensive curriculum: Students will study anatomy and physiology, nursing fundamentals, patient care, pharmacology and more – ensuring a well-rounded, industry-aligned education.
• Hands-on experience: Clinical rotations at Ballad Health facilities provide invaluable real-world learning and skill development.
• Qualified instructors: Experienced, passionate nursing educators will offer personalized mentorship and instruction.
• Modern facilities: Labs and simulation centers replicate real clinical environments for safe, skill-refining practice.
• Employment opportunities: Graduates of the program are guaranteed job interviews with Ballad Health.

“Ballad Health Academy is more than a curriculum, it’s a launchpad for young people with a passion for service and caring for others,” said Dr. Matthew Loos, Ballad Health's chief academic officer. “We are proud to celebrate this inaugural group of students who are boldly stepping into the future of healthcare.”

Ballad Health Academy has accepted 205 students entering grades 9, 10 and 11 in its inaugural class – twice as many as expected when the program was announced in January 2024.

“We know that early engagement can be a powerful motivator,” said Robin Roberts, RN, chief nursing officer for Greeneville Community Hospital. “When students see what nurses do and understand the depth of the profession, it will spark true passion. I encourage educators, healthcare professionals and community leaders to rally around the students of Ballad Health Academy. We’re not just training future nurses. We’re investing in the health of our entire community for years to come.”

Scott Niswonger, philanthropist and founder of the Niswonger Foundation, added, “Through the Ballad Health Academy, students will be career-ready by their senior year in high school. This means they will be one step closer to earning a living wage and giving back to their community. The Niswonger Foundation is committed to improving education in Northeast Tennessee and the Ballad Health Academy is an innovative learning solution that will help build a stronger, more resilient community for everyone.”

For more information about the Ballad Health Academy, please visit balladhealthacademy.org.