Laughlin Memorial Hospital

Laughlin Memorial Hospital (LMH) is located in Greeneville, Tennessee. In addition to our 140-bed acute care hospital, we operate Laughlin Healthcare Center, a 90-bed skilled nursing facility. LMH is the owner of Nolichuckey Management Services, a physician medical practice. Laughlin Health Care Foundation is a supporting organization for the benefit of LMH.On June 30, 2017, Mountain States Health Alliance (MSHA) became the sole member of Laughlin Memorial Hospital. MSHA is a tax-exempt entity with operations primarily located in Washington, Sullivan, Unicoi, Greene, and Carter counties of Tennessee and Smyth, Wise, Dickenson, Russell and Washington counties of Virginia. Our hospital and MSHA have enjoyed a decades-long relationship and the merger allows LMH to expand services into areas where they are most needed.On February 1, 2018, MSHA merged with Wellmont Health System (WHS) to form Ballad Health. At merger, Ballad Health's board of directors became the governing body for MSHA (including LMH) and WHS. During 2019, Ballad Health approved a merger between LMH and Takoma Regional Hospital (TRH). On April 1, 2019, LMH merged into TRH (the surviving entity), which is owned by Ballad Health.LMH engages with numerous community groups to improve the overall health, education and economy of the communities we serve. A few of the service lines unique to LMH that are not offered by any other provider in the community include a cancer care program that is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, a dedicated cardiac catheterization lab, radiation oncology services, a bariatric surgery program and the areas only dedicated wheelchair clinic. Prior to officially merging, LMH and MSHA jointly opened an urgent care center to provide an access point for health care at a lower cost for the community. Patients can walk into an urgent care center without an appointment, quickly see a provider, and receive medical care in a convenient setting. The urgent care center also serves as a liaison between the patient and their primary care provider by informing the patients physician their patient is being treated, allowing the patients physician to follow up if needed. LMH routinely provides educational opportunities for various community and civic groups. We sponsor events throughout the year to raise funds for worthy causes such as Second Harvest Food Bank, RAM Eye Clinic, various support groups, transportation for wound care patients and a medication program to assist with filling prescriptions for discharged patients who cannot afford to fill their prescriptions. The hospitals pharmacy provided the local EMS agency with IV sets and solutions at no charge.Our diabetes educator presented community programs that provided guidance and informative materials to community members regarding the prevalence of diabetes, the risk factors for diabetes, and diabetes prevention and basic care. These events included a Winter Wellness Event and monthly Diabetes Support Group meetings. Additionally, members of this team are members of the Green County Health Council, and participate in the Councils monthly meetings. The hospital provides a meeting space and food each month for several local support groups. These include:Cancer Support Group, which averages nine attendees each monthThe Hope Chest, a breast cancer support group, which averages nine attendees each month.The hospital also often provides meeting space for other community groups/civic organizations at no charge, including the American Cancer Society Programs Look Good Feel Better monthly meetings, the weekly Morning Rotary Club, State Child Fatality Review, monthly Greene County Health Council, and quarterly Healthier TN Community Meetings.The rehabilitation department provides a Stroke Support Group for members of the community who are stroke survivors or family members/caretakers of stroke survivors. There is no cost for this program which meets each month with two to three staff members providing education and support to the groups members for the duration of the two hour meeting. Ballad Health encourages team members to give to the community. The rehabilitation department donated hats and gloves to the Isaiah 117 House, a nonprofit organization that supports children who have been removed from their homes by the Department of Childrens Services and are transitioning into foster care. Some team members also donated their gift cards from Ballad Health to local needy families and the local food bank. Our Cancer Care Navigators participated in numerous education/support opportunities throughout the FY19 year. This program is designed to assist patients and their caregivers with all aspects of care, including providing education regarding treatment, arranging appointments and treatments, facilitating communication between healthcare providers, providing emotional support, and serving as a personal contact and ongoing source of support, and connecting patients and families with support groups and community resources.Our cancer navigators also helped to coordinate additional resources, such as home health, palliative care, hospice, nutritional counseling, pastoral care, prosthesis referrals, social workers, survivorship care, support groups such as the Hope Chest Breast Cancer Support Group and the Cancer Support Group, and financial assistance through the Greene County United Way, Mary G.K. Fox Grant, Dr. J.G. Hawkins Memorial Fund, and Ballad Health Cancer Care Patient Assistance Fund.Cancer Navigators participated in many educational, cancer prevention and cancer screening events throughout the FY19 year. The following is a partial list of activities during FY19:Skin Cancer prevention education program for the Greeneville City Schools Science AllianceBreast Cancer Prevention educational program and Mobile Health Coach free screening mammograms for the Wesley Heights communityA hospital dietitian participated in numerous events throughout the year to promote healthy eating/healthy choices. A sampling of events includes:Provided monthly education for bariatric support group and seminar meeting attendees, which includes how to prepare for their surgery and how to maintain their weight loss post-surgery. The dietitian also conducts a grocery store tour to educate on making healthy food choices. The number of attendees for FY19 was 75. Additional monthly educational presentations includes: The Total Joint Class, Cardiac Rehabilitation Class, and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Class. The attendees for these classes averages 4 to 6 per class.Presented educational events and participated in health fairs for the employees of The Town of Greeneville and Worthington Industries. The dietitian also provided Health Coaching to Town of Greeneville employees.Provided information at the Breast Cancer Prevention Program at Friendship Baptist Church, the Greeneville Iris Festival, and a Diabetes Support Group health fair. Served on the local March of Dimes committee and participated in its community events by providing educational sessions.Youth education presentation to the West Greene High School nutrition class regarding the dietitian profession, education, and job responsibilities.LMHs OB Department has been recognized by the State of Tennessee as one of seven hospitals statewide to receive the Best for Babies award. This award celebrates hospitals efforts to reduce infant deaths and give babies and their families the best possible start. The Best award stands for Breastfeeding, Early elective delivery reduction and Safe sleep for Tennessee babies. Our OB department had previously been recognized by Cribs for Kids as a Gold Safe Sleep Champion. This recognition was a result of LMHs commitment to community leadership for best practices and education for infant sleep achieved through development of hospital policy, staff training, parent education, modeling through a wearable blanket program and an affiliation with the Cribs for Kids program.