Ballad Health names new chief medical officer for community hospitals

Ballad Health has named Dr. Leon Bass as chief medical officer of Franklin Woods Community Hospital, Johnson County Community Hospital and Sycamore Shoals Hospital, according to a Wednesday news release. Bass has practiced in the region since 2012 as a pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine physician. He has been chief of staff at Johnson City Medical Center since he was elected to the position by medical staff in July 2025. He has also served as medical director for sleep disorders at JCMC and Sycamore Shoals, as well as medical ICU director at JCMC's level 1 trauma center. Additionally, he is currently on the Ballad Health Medical Associates Board of Directors."[Bass'] dedication to his practice and this region made him the right choice for this role," said Lisa Carter, president of Ballad Health's Southern Region, in the news release. "Chief medical officers are a vital part of our physician leadership teams, and their work enables us to maintain a high standard of care in our facilities and across the system as a whole."Bass will oversee clinical operations for the three community hospitals, which includes supporting quality, patient outcomes and operational efficiency, according to the press release. "I am honored to begin working with the exceptional teams at these facilities and join an incredible group of physician leaders," Dr. Bass said in the release. "I began my career in medicine to help people, and in this new role, I'm excited to extend my reach by supporting our clinicians and helping ensure our patients receive timely, efficient, high-quality care." The physician earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency and fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Georgia Health Sciences University, as well as a sleep medicine fellowship at the University of Louisville.