Ballad Health has been awarded Network of Excellence accreditation in robotic surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation, recognizing systemwide excellence in patient safety, surgical outcomes, and clinical consistency. The national recognition coincides with a $15 million investment to expand robotic-assisted surgery across the region, bringing the program to additional rural hospitals in the Appalachian Highlands.
Three Ballad Health hospitals — Franklin Woods Community Hospital, Bristol Regional Medical Center and Holston Valley Medical Center — were named Centers of Excellence in robotic surgery, qualifying the system for the Network of Excellence designation. As part of the Centers of Excellence designation, 23 physicians affiliated with these facilities were recognized as Surgeons of Excellence. Four physicians additionally earned SRC’s Master Surgeon accreditation: Dr. Kenneth Cutshall, Dr. Trey Robertson, Dr. Benjamin Scharfstein, and Dr. John Vance.
In spring 2026, da Vinci Xi surgical systems were introduced at Sycamore Shoals Hospital, Norton Community Hospital and Smyth County Community Hospital for the first time. Ballad Health now operates 23 robotic systems across 10 hospitals and has performed nearly 30,000 robotic-assisted cases systemwide since 2018, investing more than $50 million in its robotics program over that period.
Ballad Health is an integrated community health improvement organization serving 29 counties of the Appalachian Highlands in Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Northwest North Carolina and Southeast Kentucky. Its system of 20 hospitals serves close to one million people.
KEY QUOTES:
“The Network of Excellence designation reflects years of intentional investment in both innovation and quality. Our surgical teams have worked tirelessly to expand advanced robotic-assisted capabilities across our region, ensuring patients no longer have to travel far from home to receive highly specialized care.”
Alan Levine, Chairman and CEO, Ballad Health
“For patients, robotic-assisted surgery often means smaller incisions, less pain and a faster recovery. Every surgical case represents a life transformed, not only by advanced technology, but by a skilled surgeon who guides it every step of the way.”
Dr. Benjamin Scharfstein, Master Surgeon, Ballad Health
