Ballad Board Approves $60 Million Emergency Department Expansion at Johnson City Medical Center

Photo bycourtesy of Ballad Health

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — The Ballad Health Board of Directors has authorized a significant $60 million capital investment to construct a new, expanded Emergency Department at Johnson City Medical Center (JCMC), according to a recent press release. The decision, made during the board’s August 26 meeting, follows a period of increased demand for emergency services at the facility and aims to address the hospital's capacity challenges​.

The proposed expansion, set to begin planning immediately, will see the current emergency department grow from 37,000 to 50,000 square feet. The number of adult patient rooms will increase from 36 to 55, and two additional trauma rooms will be added. The project also includes the development of larger and more modern waiting areas, prioritizing an improved patient experience. The new facility is expected to be completed by 2027​.

“This investment is essential for providing better care and more privacy for our patients,” said Alan Levine, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ballad Health. “The growth in patient volume has necessitated this expansion to ensure that Johnson City Medical Center can continue to serve as the region’s primary emergency and trauma care facility.”​

The announcement comes shortly after a successful triennial survey of JCMC's trauma center by the State of Tennessee, which found no deficiencies and praised the hospital's high level of trauma care. The survey team highlighted the support from the hospital's administration and Ballad Health's Board in maintaining the Level-1 Trauma Center designation​.

"Johnson City Medical Center has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to care for the injured patient," the survey report noted. "The administrative support and leadership are also exceptional, and it is clear that the trauma center is represented and supported at the highest level"​.

Kenny Shafer, CEO of Johnson City Medical Center, emphasized the regional importance of the expansion. “JCMC and Niswonger Children’s Hospital serve patients from across the region, including western North Carolina and parts of Kentucky,” Shafer said. “This expansion is critical as we prioritize the ability to care for people when they need it the most.”​

In addition to the emergency department expansion, the Ballad Health Board approved over $200 million in additional capital projects across the region, which will include major technological updates and service expansions. Details on these projects are expected to be released in the coming weeks​.

Johnson City Medical Center, a 445-bed tertiary care facility, operates Ballad Health’s Level-1 Trauma Center and serves as a major medical referral center. The hospital offers a full range of specialty and subspecialty care services, including a heart hospital, cancer center, neurosurgery, and a 43-bed intensive care unit​.

For more information about Johnson City Medical Center and its services, visit www.balladhealth.org/JCMC​.

About Johnson City Medical Center

Johnson City Medical Center is a leading healthcare facility located in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is affiliated with East Tennessee State University and serves as a comprehensive, acute care teaching hospital. The center offers a wide range of specialty services, including advanced surgical care, stroke and neuroendovascular services, and a Level-1 Trauma Center. JCMC is dedicated to providing top-quality healthcare to patients from across the region​.

For more details, visit www.balladhealth.org/JCMC​.