Why do you choose senior care? 

I started in private practice in family medicine in 1979. During that year one of the most respected internist in Columbia, Dr. Carl Gardner, asked me to replace him in the role of medical director at NHC Columbia. As a family physician, I  believed it was important to take care of patients throughout their whole life continuum from birth until end-of-life. Over the past 40 years I found the area of geriatrics and long-term care to be especially rewarding and I now have passion for caring for those at this phase in their life.

Why did you choose NHC? 

I have had a wonderful support from NHC and believe we are truly the leader in Senior care. NHC has also given me the opportunity to advance my educational training throughout my years in practice.   In the beginning, I completed the course for certified medical director. I can still remember attending meetings for the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) when there would only be 30-40 participants which now has greater than a thousand attendees.

How has your experience of being a Medical Director of a hospital (Maury Regional Medical Center) helped in senior care? 

Being a member of the Maury community since 1979, I have had the opportunity to be involved in care of thousands of patients and have close relations with our medical staff, including primary care and specialists. When seeing a new patient admission to our facilities, oftentimes I discover I have previously cared for them or have connections with their family. I am humbled by the knowledge that they trust me and strive to care for them with compassion and expertise

What is your role as regional medical director? 

I will be launching a unique model of care delivered by an onsite provider every day at NHC Columbia and NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center. I will actively participate in quality assurance and development of performance improvement for our healthcare center by partnering with clinical teams including each center’s medical directors for 13 healthcare centers in Tennessee and Alabama.

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About Dr. Ball

Dr. Ball received his medical degree from University of Tennessee College of Medicine at Memphis and completed a residency in family practice at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Dr. Ball is board certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians. You can read more about Dr. Ball and his appointment at NHC in the official announcement.