Dr. Steven J. Baumrucker, MD, FAAFP, FAAHPM, HMDC

Early Life and Education

Dr. Baumrucker was born in Michigan and raised in North Carolina. He pursued his undergraduate degree in Radio, Television, and Motion Pictures from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1973 to 1977. Following his passion for medicine, he subsequently enrolled at the University of North Carolina's Medical School, where he completed his medical degree from 1982 to 1986.

Medical Training and Board Certifications

Post earning his medical degree, Dr. Baumrucker embarked on his medical training journey. He served as an intern and resident at the ETSU Department of Family Medicine from 1986 to 1989. In his final year of residency, he held the position of Chief Resident and Clinical Instructor, marking the beginning of his leadership roles in medicine.

Dr. Baumrucker's commitment to continuous learning and professional growth is evident in his numerous board certifications. He has been Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine since 1989. Furthermore, he holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine from the American Board of Family Medicine since 2009. In 2020, he also received a Board Certification from the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board.

Professional Experience and Contributions

Dr. Baumrucker's professional career is marked by a series of leadership roles. From 2001 to 2020, he served as the Medical Director at Palliative Medicine Associates, Wellmont/Ballad Health. He also held the position of Medical Director at Ballad Hospice from 2013 to 2020.

From 2020 onwards, he has been serving as the System Medical Director at Palliative Medicine, Ballad Health System. His responsibilities in this role include overseeing the development and implementation of palliative medicine practices across the health system.

In addition to his clinical roles, Dr. Baumrucker has also made significant contributions to medical education. He has been a Clinical Assistant Professor at the ETSU Department of Family Medicine since 1992, and an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the Lincoln-Debusk College of Medicine since 2008.

Editorial and Organizational Roles

Dr. Baumrucker has been an Associate Editor-in-Chief for the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine since 1998 and the Home Health Care Management & Practice since 2019.

As a member of different organizations, Dr. Baumrucker has been continuously involved in various committees and boards. He has been a Board Member of the Wellmont Medical Associates, Ballad Health System from 2017 to 2020, and a Board Member of the Tennessee Hospice and Palliative Care Organization since 2019.

Honors and Awards

Over the years, Dr. Baumrucker has been recognized for his exceptional service and contribution to medicine. He has received numerous awards, such as the "Health Care Hero" from the Tri-Cities Business Journal in 2017, the "Spirit Hear Award" from the Niswonger Foundation, and the "Attending of the Year" from the ETSU Department of Family Medicine in several years.

Non-Medical Employment and Avocational Interests

Aside from his medical career, Dr. Baumrucker has also been involved in various non-medical jobs such as being a Host for "Down Home Medicine" on Superhits of the Tri-Cities WKPT from 2007 to 2014. His diverse interests extend to Telescope Making, Astronomy, Marksmanship, Competitive Archery, Music Composition, and more.

Publications and Research

Dr. Baumrucker has authored numerous articles in prestigious medical journals, with a total of 115 publications. His research spans a range of topics from palliative medicine to opioid management, contributing significantly to the advancement of medical knowledge.

Dr Baumrucker currently serves as system medical director for palliative medicine across the Ballad Health System.