Ballad Health partners with local orthopedic physicians to launch Appalachian Highlands Orthopedic Network, expanding access, strengthening collaboration and attracting top orthopedic talent

Partnership with large local physician group as part of nationally recognized Campbell Clinic connects patients to leading local physician expertise while building a stronger, more sustainable orthopedic workforce across the region

Ballad Health and local orthopedic physicians today announced the launch of the Appalachian Highlands Orthopedic Network, a new partnership with long-time local orthopedic physicians, Ballad Health and Campbell Clinic designed to expand patient access to highly experienced orthopedic specialists, strengthen collaboration among medical providers and support the recruitment and retention of orthopedic talent across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

The network connects more than 60 orthopedic physicians and advanced practice providers from Greeneville, Tenn., to Wytheville, Va., creating a more unified system of care – linking local physicians and Ballad Health with the depth of expertise and national reputation of Campbell Clinic, one of the country’s most established orthopedic practices with more than 100 years of experience.

Through this integrated network, patients will have greater access to a broader range of orthopedic subspecialties, advanced surgical expertise and coordinated care pathways – all while continuing to receive care close to home.

“Our team has cared for families locally for decades,” said Dr. T. Lisle Whitman, orthopedic surgeon with Appalachian Orthopedics and Neurosurgery. “This network strengthens what we do by giving us greater access to expertise and collaboration, while preserving the relationships and trust our patients rely on.”

“We have a responsibility to ensure families across the Appalachian Highlands have access to the highest quality care, delivered by experienced specialists they can trust,” said Eric Deaton, chief operating officer of Ballad Health. “This network expands access to nationally recognized orthopedic expertise while strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top physicians who want to practice in a collaborative, high-performing environment.”

As demand for orthopedic care continues to grow — particularly among aging populations — the Appalachian Highlands Orthopedic Network is designed to support long-term sustainability by creating a more attractive, professionally rewarding environment for physicians while ensuring the region can deliver high-quality, accessible care for years to come.

By connecting independent practices and Ballad Health Medical Associates providers, the network enhances clinical collaboration, aligns care standards and expands access to education, training and complex case expertise through Campbell Clinic’s nationally recognized leadership – strengthening the region’s ability to recruit and retain top orthopedic specialists while supporting physician satisfaction.

“This network is about more than connecting clinics – it’s about building a community of physicians who can collaborate, learn from one another and practice at the highest level,” said Dr. Mark Patterson, general surgeon and president of Ballad Health Medical Associates. “That kind of environment is essential to attracting and retaining top orthopedic talent, and ultimately, it leads to better care for our patients.”

Founded in Memphis in 1909, and with locations in Tennessee, Mississippi and Virginia, Campbell Clinic’s involvement brings additional depth in specialties such as joint replacement, sports medicine and complex orthopedic surgery, along with a long-standing reputation for clinical excellence and physician training.

“There is exceptional orthopedic care across the region,” said Dr. John Crockarell, chief of staff at Campbell Clinic. “This partnership allows us to extend our expertise by working alongside local physicians – sharing knowledge, supporting complex care and helping ensure patients across the region receive the best possible outcomes.”

The network enhances collaboration across physicians and advanced practice providers, improving communication, care coordination and alignment of treatment approaches. For patients, this means a more seamless and connected experience navigating orthopedic care – whether they are seeing a local specialist, undergoing surgery or completing rehabilitation.

Importantly, patients will continue to see the same physicians and visit the same local clinics, with the added benefit of a more coordinated and integrated network supporting their care behind the scenes.

For patients seeking sports medicine care, the network enhances access to highly specialized expertise — ensuring athletes and active individuals receive coordinated, high-quality care designed to support recovery, performance and long-term health.

“We see it every day — athletes and active individuals who want to recover and return to what they love,” said Dr. Todd Fowler of Highlands Sports Medicine. “This network strengthens the care we provide by connecting each step of the patient journey — from diagnosis through rehabilitation — so patients benefit from a more seamless experience and the highest level of expertise at every stage.”

Learn more about the Appalachian Highlands Orthopedic Network by visiting their website or by calling (423)-302-6784.