Ballad Health appoints experienced orthopedic leader, Michael Piver, as new vice president to drive service line expansion across Appalachian Highlands

As Ballad Health continues to advance orthopedic services throughout the Appalachian Highlands, the health system has selected a seasoned strategic administrator as vice president of its orthopedic service line.

Michael (Mike) Piver comes to the health system with 25 years of experience as a healthcare administrator. In his new role, Piver will work closely with key stakeholders and orthopedic partners to continue enhancing orthopedic services that are available throughout the region.

“Mike brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as a strategic leader in orthopedics to the Appalachian Highlands, and all our healthcare workers, physicians and patients will benefit from his incredible expertise,” said Brad Price, senior vice president of regional operations and service line development at Ballad Health. “As Ballad Health continues to invest in orthopedic services across the region, quality leadership will be an important factor to the success of expanding those services, and Michael’s experience ensures he is the best person to lead us into that future.”

Over the course of his career in healthcare management, Piver gained key experience as a strategic leader in orthopedics. Most recently, Piver served patients in Mobile, Alabama as executive director of ambulatory services at Infirmary Health. In that role, Piver contributed to the growth of Gulf Orthopaedics, tripling the number of orthopedic surgeons available to patients in just 18 months.

“Growth and improved patient outcomes are a hallmark of Mike’s career, and we are thrilled to have him on board as we continue improving orthopedic services for people in our region,” said Dr. Clay Runnels, chief physician executive at Ballad Health. “His track record shows someone adept and committed to finding the routes that will benefit patients who need orthopedic services. As we continue to serve as a local provider of orthopedic care, we need experienced leaders to help us reach our goals, and I greatly look forward to the future of orthopedics under Mike’s leadership.”

Piver’s career in healthcare administration began at Healthcare Management Associates in Birmingham, Alabama, where he began honing his skills in strategic planning and development. The next years of his career would see the development of several new surgery centers and physician practices across Alabama, the development of a 20-bed rehabilitation hospital and the conversion of a skilled nursing facility. As associate vice president of the orthopedic service line of HonorHealth in Arizona, Piver was directly responsible for the overall strategic direction and operations of orthopedics for the health system, where he successfully developed one of the largest orthopedic co-management agreements in the country, including more than 90 independent orthopedic and spine surgeons and involving nearly 30 different medical groups.

“I’m excited to join a team of professionals who are committed to improving the lives of those that live in their communities,” Piver said. “My job is to empower our region’s clinicians to provide high-quality care by closely working with our partners, optimizing models of care and securing the growth of the orthopedic service line. At the end of the day, this will benefit the patients who need orthopedic services, and I’m excited to help Ballad Health and our other orthopedic providers in the region achieve that goal.”

Piver earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in business administration from Troy University. He is an active member of OrthoForum, a national physician specialty organization for orthopedic groups, and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He began his new role in October.