Community Partnerships and Education
Teenagers, children and parents in the community can learn about important safety issues through our Trauma Nurses Talk Tough program.
We also offer a wide variety of free educational programs for medical professionals. These programs help emergency responders and hospital clinicians provide the best possible care. Wellmont’s emergency centers also participate in annual disaster planning drills organized by local and state agencies.
Serving in the emergency room and beyond
Many of our physicians who serve in our emergency rooms also serve as medical directors of local emergency medical services:
- Dr. William Hudson (Holston Valley Medical Center) is medical director of emergency medical services in Sullivan County and Scott County, Va.
- Dr. Kenneth Turner and Dr. Nelson Gwaltney (Bristol Regional Medical Center) are medical directors for emergency medical services in Bristol, Va.
- Dr. Chip Backus is medical director for emergency medical services in Bristol, Tenn.
- Dr. Michael Ford (Lonesome Pine Hospital) is medical director for Virginia’s Big Stone Gap, Appalachia and Keokee volunteer rescue squads as well as the Valley Fire and Rescue Squad.
- Dr. Christopher Landess and Dr. Stephen Wilson (Hawkins County Memorial Hospital) are medical directors of emergency medical services in Hawkins County, Tenn.
- Dr. John Short (Hancock County Hospital) is medical director of emergency services in Hancock County, Tenn.
Our emergency caregivers also serve in volunteer health and wellness roles in the community. For example, several members of the Hawkins County Memorial Hospital emergency room staff serve on the county’s hazardous materials team.
Trauma Nurses Talk Tough
To thwart preventable traumatic injuries, nurses at Holston Valley Medical Center and Bristol Regional Medical Center offer Trauma Nurses Talk Tough, a free program that teaches parents, teenagers and children about seatbelt safety, the dangers of speeding and drinking and driving for teens, and the importance of wearing helmets when biking and skating for younger participants. A version of the program just for adults is also available. If your group is interested in scheduling a presentation, please call (423) 224-5826 or (423) 844-2107.
If you have questions, please call the Wellmont Nurse Connection at 1-877-230-NURSE.