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Meet the Research Department
Dr. Quincy J. Byrdsong
Vice President for Research Operations
Dr. Quincy J. Byrdsong is the Vice President for Research Operations at Ballad Health in Johnson City, Tennessee. In this role, Dr. Byrdsong has strategic, operational, and programmatic oversight of all research efforts within Ballad Health. Dr, Byrdsong is charged with the development and implementation of Ballad’s strategic research plan, Vision for Superior Discovery, oversees research directors, partners with regional academic institutions, leads all research administration and compliance functions of Ballad Health including the Institutional Review Board and Human Research Protection Program, Research Informatics, Medical Library, and collaborates regularly with Ballad Health executive leadership, Corporate Compliance, Legal, and Medical Affairs.
Dr. Byrdsong has served in several capacities in both the academic and corporate sectors with over twenty years of direct clinical research executive management experience at Meharry Medical College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center and Wellstar Health System. Dr. Byrdsong is an avid public speaker and frequently speaks to audiences around the world on the topics of clinical trial administration, research ethics, and human research protections including the history of human experimentation in the U.S. and the chronology of Black population’s participation in clinical research.
Dr. Byrdsong received his Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Biology from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and his Doctor of Education degree from Tennessee State University (TSU). He is currently a Master of Arts candidate in Biblical Exposition at Liberty University. He is a Certified Institutional Review Board (IRB) Professional (CIP) and a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP). Dr. Byrdsong is a past President of the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) and past Board Member of the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs.
Charles Mays, PhD
CCRC Director of Research, SW Market
Dr. Charles Mays, PhD, CCRC is Ballad Health’s Director of Research, Southwest Market. He joined Ballad Health in 2020 after 20 years of conducting life science and clinical research. Mays earned his PhD from the University of Kentucky. Then, he served postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Alberta in Canada and at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.
He comes to Ballad Health from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas, one of the leading cancer hospitals in the nation. In 2022, Mays earned accreditation through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) becoming a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC®). At Ballad Health, Charles continues working to recruit and expand clinical research to better serve the Appalachian Highlands community where he was born and raised.
Currently, he manages clinical trials in the areas of oncology, cardiology, diabetes, stroke, and trauma at the Johnson City Medical Center, the Ballad Health Cancer Care Johnson City, the Ballad Health Cancer Care Kingsport, the Ballad Health Cancer Care Bristol, the Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute Greeneville, and the Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute Johnson City.
Christopher Buzzelli, Ph.D
Corporate Director, COPA Outcomes Research & Informatics
Chris earned his Ph.D. from the University of Akron, in Akron, Ohio and has a background in research design, statistics, neuroscience, cognition, and behavior. He joined the Research and Academics Department at Ballad Health in the fall of 2021 as Program Manager, COPA Outcomes Research.
In this role, he has worked on internal and external research projects related to COPA initiatives. He has been involved in the data planning and logistics related to STRONG LINK. He acts as Ballad Health’s lead administrator for REDCap which is used organization wide for research projects, databases, and surveys.
In January of 2025, he moved into the role of Corporate Director of COPA Outcomes Research & Informatics, where he will continue to work with COPA plan leaders and executive leadership to develop and expand Ballad’s research tools and infrastructure.
Jessie Wallace
Research Specialist, Ballad Health IRB
Jessie Wallace is a highly skilled and committed Research Specialist at Ballad Health’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), where she has been an integral part of the team since 2022. In her role, Jessie collaborates closely with researchers to evaluate and mitigate potential risks and harms associated with human subjects research. She plays a key role in ensuring that all research studies adhere to ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements, facilitating the protection of participants while also advancing scientific progress.
Jessie holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Healthcare Administration, with a concentration in Healthcare Compliance and Privacy. This advanced education, combined with her hands-on experience in the field, enables her to navigate the complexities of healthcare regulations and privacy concerns with precision and insight.
Outside of her professional role, Jessie is deeply passionate about the well-being of her community and the future of healthcare. She is committed to advancing ethical practices in research and improving healthcare systems, ensuring that both patients and researchers are supported in a secure and trustworthy environment.
Katie Duvall, MA
Program Manager, HRPP and IRB Management
Katie joined the Ballad Health IRB as the Program Manager in February 2024. In this role she leads the IRB administrative staff and supports the IRB committee members in facilitating ethical human research at Ballad Health. Katie joined Ballad Health in 2024.
Previously she worked at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Quillen College of Medicine serving as the Manager of Research Operations and Faculty Development for Department of Pediatrics and as the Assistant Director of the Quillen Summer Research Program. In those roles she supported faculty, residents, and students in all aspects of research. Katie also served as a member of the ETSU IRB Medical Board from 2018 -2023. She has over 11 publications on cancer communication, women’s health and maternal and child health in Appalachia. Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and a Master of Arts degree in Health Communication from ETSU.
Michelle Robertson
Institutional Review Board Assistant
Michelle Robertson is the IRB Assistant for the Ballad Health System Institutional Review Board. Michelle graduated from the University of New Orleans and has a Bachelor of Science in General Business Administration.
She has served on this team for over 12 years now continuing to develop knowledge and expertise to serve the needs of the Board and team. She has a heart for patient advocacy and is very proud to be part of this team and the opportunities it brings to our community.
Terra Browning
BS Corporate Director, HRPP Human Research Protection Program Ballad Health IRB
For nearly three decades, Terra has been living and working in Appalachia and is passionate for the region and the people. She is committed to bringing the latest in healthcare advancements to the Appalachian Highlands to increase the overall physical, mental, and spiritual health of the community that she and her family call home. Terra is committed to a journey of discovery that research allows and knows that expanding the knowledge of this very special and unique region will have a significant impact on the rest of the country.
Terra brings over 25 years of human subjects clinical research experience in several different therapeutic areas, including, oncology, cardiology, respiratory, psychology, metabolic disease, and more. She has served with a Contract Research Organization (CRO) and as a site coordinator prior to joining Ballad Health. Throughout the years, Terra has served as a Research Monitor, Research Coordinator, IRB Program Manager, and HRPP Director organizing and leading the newly created Office of Human Research Protection. Reporting to the VP of Research Operations, she helps to oversee a robust and diverse research portfolio that includes over 300 clinical trials and translational studies. Terra loves cultivating friendships and spending time with her husband and three children when not at work.
Terrie Walker, MBA, BSN, RN, CCRC
Director of Research, NW Market
Terrie Walker, MBA, BSN, RN, CCRC, is the NW Market Director of Research for Ballad Health System. She began her career with Cardiovascular Associates in 2008. Her nursing career in the cardiovascular field started in 1997, with a specialization in interventional cardiovascular research in 1999 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (WFBMC) in NC. She advanced into the neuromuscular field as a research and clinic nurse specializing in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and Muscular Dystrophy. In 2003, she entered chronic and oncology pain research, in addition to hospice nursing. In 2008, she moved to TN to return to cardiovascular interventional research at Cardiovascular Associates in Kingsport, where she has been for 17 years.
She is blessed to work with an outstanding research team and physicians to bring state-of-the-art research to patients. Through their research studies, they offer cutting-edge research to patients, including new technology and treatments for cardiovascular and peripheral disease. Participants receive additional follow-up care with the research team, with some studies providing tests at no charge in follow-up of treatments, as well as visit stipends to assist with travel expenses. Terrie hopes to continue to be a resource for patients living with health issues through their research studies and with their amazing research team, continuing to make a difference for others.
Anthony Ulrich, MBA, BSN, RN, CCRC
Program Manager, Research Integrity and Compliance
Anthony earned his Masters in Nursing Leadership and Hospital Management from Western Governor’s University and has been an RN since 2013, specializing in psychiatric nursing. Anthony also served 10 years in the Navy where he supervised 200 people in the operation of a Naval vessel where he provided proper training, personal security clearances, personnel files and records. In addition, Anthony managed and supervised the disbursement of a $1.5M budget.
In his current role, Anthony initiates and oversees internal compliance audits of human research studies occurring within the Ballad Health system. He identifies problems, trends, and issues related to Human subject research and assists in developing and implementing appropriate action plans to correct issues. Additionally, Anthony develops and implements audits of conflict of interest within research protocols in conjunction with corporate compliance and corporate legal. He is also responsible for assessing process flows to identify opportunities for efficiency within the Research Department.
Contact us
Reach out to us at clinicaltrials@balladhealth.org or IRB@balladhealth.org.