Top Medical Professionals Share Why They Chose Johnson City, TN
There is a unique pull to the mountains of East Tennessee that reaches beyond the scenery, drawing in some of the most dedicated medical minds in the country. For these three practitioners, the decision to practice here was guided by a desire to blend world-class medicine with the warmth and connection that only this region can offer.
Holly Rinehart
Chief Nursing Officer, Niswonger Children’s Network
Holly Rinehart, a Kingsport, Tennessee, native who is the chief nursing officer of the Niswonger Children’s Network, says her absolute love for pediatrics has been a major factor for her throughout her nursing career.
“Working at Niswonger Children’s Hospital has been a wonderful opportunity. A child’s smile is the best medicine a healer can receive,” she says.
As the flagship of the Niswonger Children’s Network, Niswonger Children’s Hospital in Johnson City stands as the region’s largest and only facility dedicated to patients from birth through age 16. The hospital integrates a specialized pediatric medical team, a 24/7 emergency department and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit within a state-of-the-art, family-centered environment.
A proud graduate of Emory & Henry and King University, Rinehart is deeply rooted in the Appalachian Highlands. She loves collaborating with health care teams across Ballad Health’s regional facilities, where she focuses on empowering providers to grow their pediatric skills and driving meaningful change for the community’s youngest patients.
Dr. Sarah Carlisle
Dentist, Hometown Dental of Johnson City
Trips to the Johnson City Mall with friends when she was a student at Lees-McRae College in nearby Banner Elk, North Carolina, made for fun memories and left a lasting positive impression on local dentist Dr. Sarah Carlisle, who practices general and family dentistry at Hometown Dental of Johnson City. Following graduation from the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, she headed for the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee.
“After graduation, moving here just felt like the right place to build both my career and my home, and I’m truly grateful I made that choice,” Carlisle says.
Hometown Dental is an all-female team dedicated to creating a calm, welcoming space for patients. Many people have had difficult or even traumatic dental experiences in the past, explains Carlisle, so every effort is made to ensure comfort, understanding and genuine care.
She finds the area medical community to be close-knit and collaborative, with a shared sense of purpose of providing excellent professional services.
Away from the office, Carlisle also does yoga and likes to visit the many amazing restaurants in the area. A favorite is Lazy Lady Baking Co. “where the food is delicious,” she says.
“I love practicing dentistry in Johnson City. It offers a wonderful environment with great schools and strong community values,” she says. “I feel like I’m caring for my neighbors and friends, not just my patients.”
Dr. Josh Busscher
Ophthalmologist, Johnson City Eye Clinic and Surgery Center
There are several reasons ophthalmologist and cornea specialist Dr. Josh Busscher chose to work at the Johnson City Eye Clinic, serving the area since 1942. Originally from Holland, Michigan, Busscher specializes in corneal transplants and other innovative care, plus micro-incisional refractive cataract surgery. His expertise allows patients to get leading-edge and compassionate treatment close to home.
Busscher is the only fellowship-trained cornea surgeon operating from Roanoke, Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee. For thousands of residents, he is the difference between a long-distance commute and immediate, world-class treatment.
“Without JCEC, patients would have to travel well beyond the Tri-Cities for their care,” he says.
The clinic provides subspecialty care, including cornea, glaucoma, medical retina, oculoplastics and pediatric ophthalmology.
“Practicing medicine in Johnson City is extremely rewarding,” Busscher says.
He graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and Emory University Eye Center, where he completed a cornea fellowship.
He and his family spend time outdoors and enjoy the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre.
Busscher and his colleagues are excited about the opening of a new advanced eye surgery center. Located at 2014 Hopewell Drive, the surgery center is near the current Johnson City Eye Clinic and Surgery Center in Med Tech Park. Construction will soon begin next door on Phase II, which will be a larger and more advanced technology Eye Clinic.
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