Ballad Health and local orthopedic surgeon group Southern Appalachian Medical Management (SAMM) have teamed up to make a collective $50,000 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.
This is the second year in a row the health system has partnered with SAMM, which represents local practices, to make a significant donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee to help fight hunger in the Appalachian Highlands. Leaders from SAMM and Ballad Health jointly serve on the Orthopedic Executive Committee (OEC), which has a unified goal of coordinating community initiatives and improving quality and value of care for patients in the region.
“Through the combined efforts and dedication of our team, this donation is a testament to the remarkable impact we can achieve by working together. It symbolizes the invaluable partnership of the OEC, as well as the profound community service provided by Second Harvest,” said Brad Price, who, as Ballad Health’s senior vice president of regional operations and service line development, serves on the OEC. “Colleagues within the OEC continue to create impactful and purposeful change for families in the region, making this partnership one of positive impact.”
Ballad Health and SAMM donated $25,000 each to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee. Highlands Physicians, Inc., which serves as the administrative arm of SAMM, facilitated the orthopedic surgeons’ portion of the donation.
Multiple local orthopedic surgeons and Ballad Health administrators sit on the OEC, enabling opportunities for medical professionals to collaborate and bolster orthopedic care by improving quality and value through shorter lengths of stay and quicker, fuller recoveries, as well as thoughtful and prudent financial stewardship, which passes cost savings on to patients and insurance carriers.
“The orthopedic surgeons are deeply rooted in the communities we serve; we understand the importance of taking care of our neighbors and recognizing the critical importance of addressing food insecurities,” said Reagan Parr, MD, President of Southern Appalachian Medical Management. “We are humbled and honored to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee in its mission to combat hunger and provide essential nutrition to individuals and families facing food insecurity. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.”
As healthcare organizations, Ballad Health and SAMM’s partnerships with and support of organizations closely connected to the community are rooted in growing evidence that addressing social determinants of health through enhanced clinical-community linkages can not only change lives, but also improve health outcomes and reduce cost.
“Our responsibility to our communities extends far beyond medical and hospital care,” Price said. “Ballad Health and SAMM work to stay in touch with organizations that are committed to helping people, such as Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee. We look forward to working together to continue benefiting the communities we serve.”
Through a network of partner agencies and programs, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee provides food assistance to vulnerable populations, including children, seniors and low-income households.
“We are extremely proud of our work to provide nutritious food and meals for those in need throughout our communities, and it’s all possible through community and organizational generosity,” said Rhonda Chafin, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee. “The gift from Ballad Health and SAMM, working hand in hand with donations of money, time and support from individuals and groups across our region, help us make a real difference.”
More information about Ballad Health’s orthopedic services can be found at https://www.balladhealth.org/medical-services/orthopedic-services.
