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ETSU Health and Ballad Health announced today an enhanced partnership in cardiology services designed to enhance training for medical students and future cardiologists, while also ensuring access to the most advanced cardiac care for the region.

Led by Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute, Ballad Health is welcoming ETSU Health’s adult cardiology specialists to the CVA Heart Institute, located at 2428 Knob Creek Road, Suite 201, in Johnson City, Tennessee. ETSU Health Pediatric Cardiology will continue practicing in the current location at ETSU Health’s 329 N. State of Franklin Road clinic in Johnson City.

This partnership gives ETSU Health’s faculty providers the opportunity to continue overseeing their patients’ care with expertise, while allowing medical students, resident physicians and fellows in East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine programs the opportunity to learn and practice within a robust heart institute setting.

“This transition gives physicians participating in Quillen College of Medicine’s cardiology fellowship program the opportunity to train under a wide variety of specialists who are providing the full spectrum of cardiological care at the region’s premier heart institute,” said Dr. Vijay Ramu, ETSU’s cardiology fellowship program director. “Similarly, it will broaden and strengthen the experiences for our resident physicians and medical students, further enhancing the training for the next generation of providers.”

ETSU’s cardiology program is a three-year, fully accredited program with a total of nine fellowship positions. This specialized training occurs after physicians have already graduated from medical school and completed a three-year residency program, during which they train under an experienced physician.

ETSU Health’s cardiologists will continue to serve as faculty at ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine, paving the way for increased access to quality health care for our region.

“Through this effort, we are strengthening our commitment to bringing exceptional care to underserved regions. We’ve seen many times that community collaboration can strengthen the health and well-being of our community,” said Dr. Bill Block, ETSU Health’s chief executive officer and dean of the Quillen College of Medicine. “The region’s trauma network, Niswonger Children’s Hospital and Highlands Sports Medicine are all powered by ETSU Health through partnerships with Ballad Health. All have seen phenomenal gains for our community’s health and safety, and we are excited to see what this new collaboration will bring.”

Ballad Health’s CVA Heart Institute connects patients with an extensive network of cardiologists, cardiovascular specialists and surgeons, alongside innovative techniques and services. This nationally recognized network has convenient locations in Kingsport, Johnson City, Greeneville and Mountain City.

“Collaboration is the heartbeat of progress. By joining forces, our ETSU cardiology fellowship program and this esteemed 50-physician cardiovascular group create a powerful synergy — expanding expertise, enriching education and advancing clinical research,” said Dr. Thomas Helton, president of Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute. “Together, we take a bold step forward for our community and health care system, ensuring the highest level of cardiovascular care for generations to come.”