News Around the State

Delta burn center closing doors

Battling cash shortages, the Mississippi Firefighters' Memorial Burn Center in Greenville will stop accepting new patients May 31 and will close later this year.

Rankin Medical Center to Host American Red Cross Babysitter's Training Course

Rankin Medical Center in Brandon is hosting the American Red Cross’ Babysitter’s Training Course on Tuesday, June 14.  The class is designed for youth ages 11 to 15 and will be held from 9:00 am to 3:00 p.m. in the North Annex.

This interactive and fun course teaches first aid and how to get professional medical help, identify safety hazards and prevent injuries, supervise infants through school age children, perform basic care such as diapering, feeding and dressing, handle bedtime issues and how to find and interview for babysitting jobs. 

All participants will receive an illustrated handbook and earn an American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training Certificate.  The course is $45, which includes the handbook, lunch and refreshments.  Call 601-824-8525 for more information or to register.

Rankin Medical Center Names New CFO

Rankin Medical Center is pleased to welcome Brad Sinclair to its administrative team as the hospital’s new Chief Financial Officer.

Sinclair comes to Rankin Medical Center from Riley Hospital in Meridian where he also served as Chief Financial Officer.  Prior to Riley, he worked at River Oaks Health System in Flowood, Mississippi.  All of these hospitals are owned and operated by Health Management Associates, Inc. (HMA), which is headquartered in Naples, Florida.

A native of Louisville, Sinclair holds a master’s degree in accounting from Mississippi State University, as well as bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant, a member of the Healthcare Financial Managers Association and a Rotarian.

Brad and his wife, Jennifer, have a daughter, Ainsley.

MSH celebrates Employee Appreciation Day

Marc Lewis of Whitfield, director of Jaquith Nursing Home, (right) hands out one of many free meals to an MSH employee during Employee Appreciation Day.

The hard work and dedication of the 2,500 employees at Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) and Jaquith Nursing Home (JNH) was recognized May 13 during the hospital’s annual Employee Recognition Day. The event was part of celebrations for National Hospital Week and Nursing Home Week (May 8-14).

“It is because of our employees that we are able to maintain high standards and provide patients, residents and individuals in the community with the best care,” said James G. Chastain, hospital director.

Employees on all shifts were treated to a free lunch courtesy of Friends of Mississippi State Hospital and Valley Services. Friends is a non-profit volunteer organization that contributes 100 percent of its proceeds to programs and activities that help enrich the lives of MSH’s patients and individuals served in the community, Jaquith Nursing Home residents and employees. 

Employees at MSH’s Crisis Intervention Centers in Cleveland and Grenada were not left out. Cleveland employees were given a voucher for a free lunch at Lenny’s Sub Shop, and staff at the Grenada center were given a voucher for a full, free meal at Grenada Lake Medical Center. Meals were also delivered to staff at MSH's Jackson-based Community Services Division.

“Our staff treats residents as if they were family,” said Marc Lewis, Jaquith Nursing Home director. “They need to know, today and every day, that the care they provide is greatly appreciated and does not go unnoticed.”

During National Hospital Week, MSH recognizes the men and women who serve and care for Mississippians at MSH. Launched in 1921, National Hospital Week has grown into the nation’s largest health care event.

JNH Celebrates National Nursing Home Week

Jaquith Nursing Home residents go fishing at Shadow Oak Campground, located on the Mississippi State Hospital campus, as a way to celebrate National Nursing Home Week.

A cookout, softball game, talent show and fishing excursion were just a few ways residents at Jaquith Nursing Home (JNH) celebrated National Nursing Home Week in May.

JNH Director Marc Lewis said he is pleased that nursing homes are recognized with an annual weekly celebration.

“I am proud to be associated with Jaquith Nursing Home,” he said. “We are committed to serving individuals who are in need of long-term care in a safe and comfortable environment. It is due to the hard work and dedication of our staff that makes our nursing home a success and a pleasant environment for our residents.”

“We try to provide an active environment for our residents,” Lewis said. “Our residents always look forward to the activities we schedule during National Nursing Home. It is very important for our residents to stay active not only for their physical well-being, but also for mental and spiritual fulfillment.”

A 472-bed long-term care facility, JNH is divided into six inns and each is licensed separately by the Mississippi State Department of Health and certified for participation in the Medicaid program. As Mississippi’s largest nursing home, JNH has been serving the state’s seniors since 1976. JNH is located in Whitfield.

National Nursing Home Week is an annual observance sponsored by the American Health Care Association and the Mississippi Health Care Association. Activities for residents were held each day throughout the week.

Forrest General and Spirit of Women to present “The Scoop on Skin Care, Sun Damage and Treatments”

Forrest General Hospital and the Spirit of Women program will present The Scoop on Skin Care, Sun Damage and Treatments from noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, June 9 at Seasons restaurant, 6555 Highway 98 West, Suite 1.

Years of sun exposure can cause roughness, premature aging, wrinkles, age or liver spots, and dilated blood vessels. It can also increase your risk for skin cancer.

Rebecca Duff, MD, dermatologist, will be on hand to explain the latest techniques for taking care of your skin, as well as what to do if you already have sun-damaged skin.

Cost to attend the event is $5 for Spirit of Women members and $10 for non-members. A light lunch will be provided.

Spirit of Women is a national movement for women’s wellness led by local hospitals such as Forrest General and supported by corporate partners and national media with the mission to motivate women to make positive changes in their lives by emphasizing their total well-being…mind, body and spirit.

To register for the event or for more information on Spirit of Women and the programs available, contact FGH OnCall at 1-800-844-4445. Deadline for registration is Wednesday, June 8.

NMMC-West Point's surgery, anesthesia departments compete, lose 158 pounds

North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point’s Surgery and Anesthesia departments are lighter on their feet these days since embarking on their own “The Biggest Loser” competition.

Sparked by the nationally-televised version, their contest ran Jan. 3-March 28. They formed two teams—Team A and Team B—each with six members who wanted to lose weight. Each member put up $5 to make the competition more interesting.

Each member weighed in at the beginning of the contest and then once a week thereafter. Each week, the team that lost the least weight had to furnish healthy snacks for the next week. Plus, each member of the losing team had to divvy up another $1 toward the cause.

To keep themselves motivated, many team members ate and exercised together. To help them along, Tracy Stebbins, NMMC-West Point Wellness Center director, scheduled a circuit training class three days a week in the afternoons after they got off work.

By the end of March, the teams had lost a total of 157 pounds. The overall winner was the person who lost the highest percentage of body weight. Surgery nurse Anita Klutts, RN, was “The Biggest Loser,” losing 17.2 percent of her body weight and taking home a pot of $130.

While some participants have reached their target weight, others have vowed to continue another 12 weeks. In the end, all of them lost the fat and gained a sense of accomplishment.

JDCH Bassfield Clinic open five days a week

Jeff Davis Community Hospital's Family Practice Clinic in Bassfield officially opened in April. Dr. Carol Berg will serve as the staff physician at the clinic. She also serves as chief of staff and physician liaison at Jeff Davis Community Hospital. Patients will also receive care from Carla Whitfield, NP.

Heliport project nears completion

Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital's new and improved heliport could be completed as early as mid-May. A crew from the University of Mississippi Medical Center flew in in April to survey the progress and provide guidance regarding the remaining installation issues. The landing pad measures 40 feet square. The heliport will serve as a vital part of care for Montgomery County and the surrounding area.

Singing River offers new fracture therapy

Singing River Hospital System is now offering a minimally invasive procedure known as kyphoplasty to treat compression fractures usually associated with osteoporosis.

In the past, this kind of fracture has been treated with pain medication, bed rest or bracing; however, with kyphoplasty, a physician is able to stop the pain, stabilize the bone and restore some lost vertebral body height due to fracture.

According to physicians who perform the procedure, it takes about 30 minutes per fracture, and the complication risk is very low.