Ballad Health begins major emergency department expansion at Johnson City Medical Center

Initiative reflects system’s long-term investment in regional care

Construction is now underway to expand the emergency department at Johnson City Medical Center, marking the next phase of the project first announced in 2024. Designed to enhance the patient experience, the expansion will bring new technology and significant added capacity to the pediatric, adult and trauma programs.

A $72 million commitment, the expansion is designed to meet the growing future needs of the Appalachian Highlands region and has been designed after months of planning and collaboration with team members, medical staff, patients and community members. The planning focuses on meeting the needs of high-acuity and trauma patients, and the design reflects Johnson City Medical Center’s role as a high-acuity Level 1 trauma center serving the needs of patients from throughout the region and multiple states.

This important project is part of Ballad Health’s broader strategy to improve rural healthcare access, support the workforce and advance care delivery across the region. In fiscal year 2025 alone, Ballad Health deployed $150 million in capital investments — the largest annual investment in system history — to modernize facilities, expand services, support team members and reinforce the long-term sustainability of healthcare in the Appalachian Highlands.

“As the region’s Level 1 Trauma Center, the emergency department at Johnson City Medical Center sees the most critical patients over a large area that includes Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina and parts of Kentucky,” said Rebecca Beck, CEO of Johnson City Medical Center. “We’re proud to see construction now underway on a project that will help us meet the future needs of the people in our region and further strengthen emergency care for our region.”

Johnson City Medical Center serves as the flagship of Ballad Health’s regional trauma network, which was strengthened through the health system’s integration and ongoing investments in trauma, emergency and specialty care services. An internationally published peer-reviewed study found that Ballad Health’s trauma consolidation efforts led to a 24% reduction in trauma mortality and a 28% reduction in the need for post-acute institutional care. The Level 1 Trauma Center has also achieved three consecutive state surveys with zero deficiencies and multiple commendations for quality of care – including ranking first in Tennessee for patient safety in trauma care.

“Through our work over the last several years, the evidence shows we are delivering the best trauma and emergency care available,” said Dr. Beth Jackson, chief medical officer at Johnson City Medical Center. “Now, the focus is on what the future needs of our team members and medical staff will be as they seek to continue delivering such high-level care and comfort for our patients. This is an important investment in the future of healthcare for the people in our region.”

“Trauma and high-acuity emergency care is about having the right people, resources and coordination in place before a patient ever arrives at the hospital,” said Dr. Bracken Burns, medical director of Ballad Health’s Level 1 Trauma Center. “Because of the strength of our regional trauma network, patients across the Appalachian Highlands can access highly specialized care faster and closer to home. These investments help us continue improving outcomes, supporting our frontline teams and ensuring critically injured patients receive the level of care they need when every second matters.”

The project will be completed in phases to minimize patient and visitor disruption. The first phase of construction began this month and will include exterior sitework, adjustments to parking spots and driveways around the building, including relocation of handicapped accessible parking to the current emergency department parking lot. Patients and visitors can expect some changes to the sidewalks on and around Vonderfecht Way, as well as more heavy machinery traffic during this phase. Signage will be posted across campus, and additional security, wayfinding assistance and parking support resources will be available to help guide patients and visitors through construction-related changes. Construction is expected to progress to Phase 2 by the end of 2026, which will bring temporary changes to patient and visitor flow. Phase 3 of construction is expected to begin in 2027.

Once complete, the project will add 13,000 square feet to the emergency department and include enhancements to parking and waiting areas, further supporting a more comfortable and efficient patient experience. Learn more about emergency services at Johnson City Medical Center.