Elizabeth Jackson, MD, selected to serve as chief medical officer of Johnson City Medical Center

Jesse Sulzer, MD, to lead Kingsport hospitals as interim chief medical officer

Ballad Health has selected Elizabeth Jackson, MD, an accomplished general surgeon and physician leader, to serve as chief medical officer of Johnson City Medical Center. Dr. Jackson will officially begin her new role on Dec. 8.

Dr. Jackson has served as chief medical officer for Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital for the past four years, while also serving as medical director of surgical services at Ballad Health and as chairperson of the Ballad Health Clinical Council.

Dr. Jackson is a graduate of Milligan College and earned her medical degree from East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine, where she also completed her surgical residency. She also holds a certified physician executive degree and serves as treasurer for the Tennessee Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. In 2024, Dr. Jackson was selected to serve on the Young Fellows Association of the American College of Surgeons governing council, highlighting her capabilities and dedication as a physician leader.

“Dr. Jackson has established herself as a strong and capable leader in our Kingsport hospitals, and we are excited that she will be bringing a wealth of experience and clinical expertise to Johnson City Medical Center,” said Lisa Carter, president of Ballad Health’s Southern Region, which includes Johnson City Medical Center. “She is an incredibly dedicated and passionate leader who will continue to inspire our clinical teams with her leadership, which will not only benefit our team members, but every patient who uses the services of our Level I Trauma Center.”

“My goal as a physician has always been to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes,” Dr. Jackson said. “I am deeply grateful for the exceptional colleagues I’ve worked alongside in Kingsport, and I look forward to continuing that same commitment to our region at Johnson City Medical Center.”

In her new role, Dr. Jackson will oversee clinical operations and assume responsibility for delivering high-quality care and enhancing patient outcomes for the region’s Level I Trauma Center, while continuing to practice clinically as a surgeon. Her responsibilities include implementing and maintaining clinical quality standards, supporting medical staff and collaborating with teams across departments to drive operational efficiency and strategic growth.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dr. Jackson during my time as chief executive officer in Kingsport, and I’m delighted that she’ll be joining the team here at Johnson City Medical Center,” said Rebecca Beck, who began her role as CEO of Johnson City Medical Center in November. “Under her leadership, Holston Valley and Indian Path earned multiple quality recognitions and demonstrated measurable improvements in patient safety, clinical outcomes and team engagement. She brings an award-winning record of excellence, uniting teams around a shared vision for quality care and will be an incredible asset to Johnson City Medical Center.”

“There are unique challenges to managing operations at a Level I Trauma Center, and Dr. Jackson’s impressive record ensures that she is well-suited to meet those challenges head-on,” said Dr. Leon Bass, the elected chief of the medical staff at Johnson City Medical Center, “In addition to her commitment to her patients as a surgeon, Dr. Jackson has also demonstrated she’s an effective and inspiring leader. I’m thrilled to welcome her to the Johnson City Medical Center team and look forward to how our teams will grow under her leadership.”

Jesse Sulzer, MD, chief medical officer for Johnston Memorial Hospital, will serve as interim chief medical officer for Holston Valley and Indian Path. Dr. Sulzer is a seasoned physician leader with expertise in operational, clinical and strategic healthcare leadership who has worked to advance physician engagement and development, foster multidisciplinary collaboration and support Ballad Health’s mission to deliver exceptional care to the community.