Tennessee High School hosted a special Signing Day ceremony on May 7 honoring 52 students from Tennessee High and Tennessee Middle School who have committed to joining the inaugural class of Ballad Health Academy – a groundbreaking healthcare education program launching in Fall 2025.
The event, held during National Nurses Week and Teacher Appreciation Week, highlighted the students’ decision to pursue a future in healthcare through a rigorous, hands-on program designed to fast-track them into high-demand medical careers. Similar to collegiate athletic signing days, the ceremony celebrated students' commitment to a transformative path that blends high school education with job training and real-world experience.
Ballad Health Academy is a visionary, tuition-free initiative created through a historic $250 million investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies. It aims to connect healthcare and education systems across the country, and is part of a national effort to launch career and technical education (CTE) high schools in both rural and urban communities. The Appalachian Highlands, with its unique geography and workforce needs, was selected as one of just 10 regions nationwide to participate.
Designed as a “school within a school,” Ballad Health Academy allows students to remain in their community schools while participating in specialized healthcare education. With support from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), students will take dual-enrollment courses and gain clinical experience at Ballad Health facilities. The curriculum includes subjects such as anatomy, nursing fundamentals, patient care, and pharmacology. Simulation labs and clinical rotations will prepare students for real-world healthcare settings, and each graduate will be guaranteed a job interview with Ballad Health.
Alan Levine, Ballad Health chairman and CEO, emphasized the program’s critical role:
“The nationwide shortage of healthcare workers has reached a critical level, and Ballad Health – along with our team members and patients – has felt the profound impact of this crisis firsthand. Ballad Health Academy is designed to become a national model for how local communities can address the healthcare workforce crisis.”
The program has already exceeded expectations. Initially projected to enroll 100 students, the inaugural class now includes 205 students across the region.
Dr. Matthew Loos, Ballad Health’s chief academic officer, added:
“Ballad Health Academy is more than a curriculum; it’s a launchpad for young people with a passion for service and caring for others. We are proud to celebrate this inaugural group of students who are boldly stepping into the future of healthcare.”
As these 52 Tennessee High and Tennessee Middle students sign on to become part of this innovative program, they are taking the first step toward meaningful, service-driven careers that will make a lasting impact on their communities.
Congratulations to the following students:
Riley Abraham
Madelyn Adkins
Addison Almaroad
Karleigh Banks
Bailee Bouton
Hannah Braddock
Abigail Carter
Sadie Daniels
Riley Daugherty
Eliza Davis
Ella Dingus
Maxwell Dye
Sebastian Eades
Addison Emery
Natalee Fields
Emma Fleenor
Addison Glover
Carlie Harmon
Carrington Harris
Maggie Hash
David Helms
Jocelyn Hendricks
Kinsley Humphrey
Emma Jenkins
Abagale Jones
Emmaline Jones
Riley LeBlanc
Esme Lin
Delaney Linkous
Maesyn Manahan
Lucy Millwood
Janae Norton
Harper Overbey
Callie Peters
Alyssa Phillipi
Josie Prince
Nila Proffitt
Elaine Rife
Lency Rodriguez
Aaron Roniss
MeKayla Sims
Madelyn Smith
Jaedyn Smithson
Annalyse Staubus
Kailyn Stout
Lorin Thomas
Taylor Ward
Layla Wells
Thea Wells
Diamond White
Ava Wilson
Kady Witt
Hunter Woodlief
Adissyn Worley