Ballad Health Medical Associates honored by American Medical Association for commitment to well-being of physicians

Only organization in Tennessee to receive Joy in Medicine recognition for 2025-26

Ballad Health Medical Associates has been awarded bronze level national recognition in 2025 from the American Medical Association as a Joy in Medicine® Health System organization.

The prestigious recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA), the country’s leading physician’s association, honors health systems, hospitals and medical groups that prioritize proven methods to reduce burnout and enhance the professional fulfillment of doctors that comes from patient care. Organizations that meet the rigorous criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program are leaders in the national effort to transform healthcare work systems and address the root causes of burnout among care teams.

Burnout is a constant threat in high-stress professions that the public depends on such as teachers, police officers and physicians. Left unaddressed, especially in rural regions like the Appalachian Highlands, burnout in these professions and others can lead to access problems affecting community well-being.

Ballad Health Medical Associates is the only organization in Tennessee to receive Joy in Medicine recognition for 2025-26; only four Virginia organizations were recognized. To be recognized, organizations must meet a rigorous criteria with a focus on operational efficiency, teamwork, support, leadership and creating a positive culture.

“It’s important that we provide our physicians with an environment where they can do their job efficiently and feel supported doing it,” said Dr. Stephen Combs, vice president and chief medical officer for Ballad Health Medical Associates. “If they have the right tools and support, then they can do what is most important to them – which is to give their patients the care they need.”

Physician burnout

Burnout in healthcare is a serious issue. The burnout rate among U.S. physicians peaked at 62.8% in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research. Thanks to strides made to address burnout at the system level, the national physician burnout rate ebbed to 45.2% in 2023 – but that’s still much higher than with other U.S. workers, so continued efforts are essential.

“The steps we’ve taken, through the Joy in Medicine program, are all about commitment to our physicians and advanced practice providers, and this translates to our commitment to our patients,” said Morgan Edwards, physician assistant with Ballad Health Medical Associates Orthopedics in Johnson City. “This program has enabled us to take a good look at our organization and find opportunities to make things better for our physicians and advanced practice providers. Giving them strong support and a positive culture means better physician satisfaction and less burnout.”

“Being a physician or an advanced practice provider in today’s healthcare industry is filled with challenges, including burnout,” said Dr. Tamara Musgrave, oncology physician for Ballad Health Medical Associates. “We’re committed to finding ways to make things better and easier for our doctors, so they feel more fulfilled and supported through their work.”

More about the Joy in Medicine program

Since its inception in 2019, the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program has recognized more than 200 organizations across the country. Recognition levels are valid for two years. This year, a total of 109 health organizations nationwide earned recognition with documented efforts to reduce system-level drivers of work-related burnout and demonstrated competencies in commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork and support. Learn more about the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program at ama-assn.org/joyinmedicine.