Russell County Hospital

Health System with 2 hospitals across 2 states

Health System Overview

Health SystemRussell County Hospital
Total Hospitals2
Commercial/Acute Hospitals2
Total Beds103
Commercial/Acute Beds103
HeadquartersLebanon, VA
Websiterussellcountyhospital.org

Hospitals by Type

Acute Care Hospital
1 hospitals
50% of health system
Critical Access Hospital
1 hospitals
50% of health system

Teaching Status

50%
Teaching
Teaching Hospitals: 1
Non-Teaching Hospitals: 1
Teaching hospitals serve as educational institutions for medical professionals while providing patient care.

Hospital Locations

Hospitals in this Health System

HospitalTypeBedsTeachingRecently Joined
Russell County HospitalCritical Access Hospital25YesNo
Russell County HospitalAcute Care Hospital78NoNo

Recent News

May 27, 2025
Russell County Hospital, in partnership with the Kentucky Association of Health Plans (KAHP), has launched a "Food is Medicine" program aimed at improving the health of patients through better nutrition. This initiative is part of a statewide effort to integrate nutritional support into healthcare services. The program is being made possible by a $300,000 grant from KAHP, which will be distributed over the next three years. Initially, the pilot program will focus on a group of outpatient clinic patients who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. These patients will receive food boxes containing disease-appropriate foods sourced from local farms and producers. Additionally, they will receive guidance from the hospital's dietitian and follow-up calls from hospital staff to help reinforce healthy eating habits. The CEO of Russell County Hospital, Scott Thompson, expressed enthusiasm for the program, highlighting its potential to empower patients with the tools needed to manage chronic conditions like diabetes by connecting them with fresh, local foods and providing education and support. Kentucky's Commissioner of Agriculture, Jonathan Shell, also commented on the program, stating that it exemplifies the core idea of "Food is Medicine" by offering practical, local solutions that simultaneously benefit both health outcomes and rural economies.
Jan 17, 2025
Russell County Hospital in Lebanon, VA, received a Certificate of Public Need (COPN) approval from the Virginia Department of Health to introduce inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric services. This expansion involves adding 16 beds to the hospital's existing psychiatric unit, bringing the total to 35 psychiatric beds. The project has an authorized capital cost of $5,500,000 and is anticipated to be finished by October 31, 2026. This initiative aims to address a significant need for specialized behavioral health services for young people in the region, as the closest inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric services are located several hours away. The proposal garnered strong community support from various local leaders and organizations, including state senators, delegates, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), and local government and school officials, highlighting the recognized need for these services.
Dec 31, 2024
Ballad Health announced the selection of Dr. Jesse Sulzer as the chief medical officer for Johnston Memorial Hospital, Russell County Hospital, and Smyth County Community Hospital, effective December 2024. Dr. Sulzer is a physician leader with expertise in operational, clinical, and strategic healthcare leadership. In his new position, he oversees the clinical operations at these three hospitals, with the goal of ensuring the delivery of high-quality care and improving patient outcomes. Dr. Sulzer previously held several leadership roles at Mission Health, a member of HCA Healthcare in Asheville, North Carolina, including chair of surgery, chair of robotics, and medical director of surgical services. His experience includes leading clinical sections, implementing quality assurance policies, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Ballad Health leadership praised Dr. Sulzer's passion for innovation, patient-centered care, and proven leadership in healthcare and education, expressing confidence that his expertise will help achieve new levels of clinical excellence and foster collaboration among medical teams.
Dec 05, 2024
Ballad Health announced the selection of Brooke Davis to serve as the chief financial officer for several of its hospitals in the region, including Russell County Hospital in Lebanon, VA. This leadership appointment, effective as of December 5, 2024, places Davis in a key financial oversight role not only for Russell County Hospital but also for Johnston Memorial Hospital and Smyth County Community Hospital. Changes in leadership, such as the CFO position, are significant administrative news for a hospital, impacting its financial strategy and operations.
Nov 27, 2024
Russell County Hospital was honored with a 2024 Destiny Award from Kentucky Employers Mutual Insurance (KEMI) for excellence in workplace safety. This marks the third consecutive year the hospital has received this recognition. The award acknowledges organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to safety practices and reducing workplace injuries. Hospital CEO Scott Thompson expressed pride in the staff's efforts that contributed to receiving this award for multiple years.

Executive Leadership

Larry Helm

Secretary/Treasurer, Board of Directors

Stuart Carman

Board of Directors