Ballad Health selects experienced local leaders for key nursing and physician leadership roles in Kingsport and Norton

Ballad Health has announced several leadership transitions in Kingsport and Southwest Virginia designed to strengthen clinical collaboration, reinforce operational continuity and continue advancing quality and patient care across the system.

The leadership selections include Kristen Looney, RN, as chief nursing officer for Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital, and Nikki Vanburen, RN, as chief nursing officer for Lonesome Pine Hospital, Lee County Community Hospital, Dickenson Community Hospital and Norton Community Hospital.

Additionally, Dr. Jesse Sulzer has been selected to serve as chief medical officer for Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital. He will also continue serving as chief medical officer of Johnston Memorial Hospital while a national search is conducted to fill that role.

Dr. Jamie Bartley has also been selected to serve as chief medical officer for Russell County Hospital and Smyth County Community Hospital while continuing in his current role as chief medical officer of Bristol Regional Medical Center.

“These selections reflect the depth of clinical talent we have cultivated within Ballad Health and our commitment to developing strong leaders who understand our communities, our hospitals and our mission,” said Dr. Chad Couch, president of Ballad Health’s Northern Region.

“Kristen and Nikki are exceptional nursing leaders whose careers have been built caring for patients in this region. Their clinical experience, leadership abilities and dedication to our team members make them ideal choices to help lead our hospitals into the future. Likewise, Dr. Sulzer and Dr. Bartley have earned the trust and respect of physicians and team members across the system through their collaborative leadership and unwavering focus on quality care.”

Looney brings 16 years of experience within Ballad Health to her new role, having advanced from patient care technician and emergency department nurse at Holston Valley Medical Center to nurse practitioner and, most recently, director of nursing for Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital.

A Kingsport-area leader who has spent nearly her entire healthcare career serving local patients, Looney has helped drive significant improvements in emergency department operations, patient satisfaction, staffing stability and patient throughput. During her tenure as director of nursing, Holston Valley and Indian Path reduced the time it takes for a patient to be transported from an ambulance crew to hospital staff, lowered turnover rates and improved patient experience.

“Kristen is a respected and highly accomplished leader who has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to our patients, our nursing teams and our communities,” said Kevin Rinks, CEO of Holston Valley and Indian Path.

“She understands these hospitals because she has grown within them — from bedside care to advanced practice nursing to executive leadership. Her passion for clinical excellence and her collaborative leadership style will continue strengthening our culture of safety, accountability and compassionate care.”

Looney earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from East Tennessee State University and currently serves as a board member for the Literacy Council of Kingsport. She was named to the Kingsport Times News 40 Under 40 Class of 2023 and is a graduate of Leadership Kingsport.

“Kristen has earned the respect of physicians, nurses and team members throughout Holston Valley and Indian Path through her steady leadership and strong clinical background,” said Dr. Evan Kulbacki, Holston Valley’s elected medical staff president.

“She brings the kind of leadership that unites medical staff and nursing teams around our common goals — elevating quality, strengthening collaboration and advancing the care we provide to every patient. I’m confident in the impact she will make and look forward to continuing our partnership.”

Vanburen brings decades of nursing and healthcare leadership experience to her new role, including leadership positions spanning emergency services, trauma care, behavioral health and hospital operations. A longtime regional healthcare leader, she most recently served as director of patient care services at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Before that, she served as chief nursing officer for Ballad Health’s Behavioral Health Division and Johnston Memorial Hospital.

Throughout her career, Vanburen has led numerous initiatives focused on quality improvement, patient safety, nursing retention and operational excellence. Her accomplishments include helping reduce emergency department hold times for behavioral health patients, improving nursing retention, leading large-scale operational initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting the expansion of behavioral health services across the region.

“Nikki has a tremendous record of leadership and service across Ballad Health,” said Shannon Showalter, CEO of Ballad Health operations in Wise, Lee and Dickenson counties. “She is a proven leader who understands the importance of supporting frontline caregivers while advancing quality and patient safety. Her experience across multiple care settings and her passion for mentoring and developing nursing teams will be invaluable as we continue strengthening healthcare services in Southwest Virginia.”

“Nikki’s extensive clinical and operational experience makes her an excellent fit for our hospitals and communities in Southwest Virginia,” said Dr. Herbert Ladley, chief medical officer for Wise, Lee and Dickenson counties. “She has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to quality, patient safety and collaboration across disciplines. I look forward to partnering with her as we continue strengthening clinical excellence and supporting the caregivers who serve our patients.”

Vanburen earned her master’s degrees in business and nursing from King University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from East Tennessee State University. She serves on several community and professional boards, including the Tennessee Nurses Association District 5, and also serves as adjunct faculty for King University College of Nursing.

The leadership selections are part of Ballad Health’s ongoing commitment to leadership development and maintaining high standards of patient care across the Appalachian Highlands.