News Around the State

Dr. Ron Cannon Presenter at Triological Society Annual Meeting

Dr. C. Ron Cannon of the Head and Neck Surgical Group in Jackson, recently attended the 108th annual meeting of the American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc., also known as The Triological Society, in Boca Raton, Florida, May 13-16, 2005. The society was formed more than 100 years ago and has attracted the best and brightest in academic and clinical otolaryngology. Membership in the society brings the distinction of being elected to the most prestigious society in otolaryngology.

Dr. Cannon is completing a three-year term on the society’s Council and served as co-moderator for one of the seminars and participated in a panel discussion regarding evidence based medicine in head and neck surgery at the American Society for Health and Neck Surgery.

Dr. Ron Cannon serves on the medical staff of many area hospitals, including Rankin Medical Center and River Oaks Hospital.

Richmond named to hospital board

McComb Selectmen recently appointed former Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center employee Renan Richmond as trustee to the hospital board.

Richmond was one of two nominees: the other was Charles Dowdy. Richmond will fill the term of Don Haskins, who resigned last month.

Occupational therapy now available at Jefferson Davis

The Department of Rehabilitation Services at Jefferson Davis Community Hospital recently announced the addition of occupational therapy services. OT services will be provided by the Fitness & Rehabilitation Center and will include outpatient and inpatient services.

Grace Ojumu is the new registered occupational therapist on staff as the Wellness Center. Grace is originally from Nigeria and has been in the U.S. since 1994. She graduated from Oxford Brown in Oxford, England, in 1962. Grace has practiced in England, Nigeria, Missouri and Mississippi. Her specialties include hand, upper extremity, CVA (stroke) and pain relief. She is also a registered massage therapist.

Nading receives Golden Tongue Blade Award

Dr. John Nading was selected as the recipient of the North Mississippi Medical Center's 2005 Golden Tongue Blade Award. Nading received the award at NMMC's annual Employee Recognition Banquet.

Nading was nominated for the award, which is given annually to an NMMC physician by NMMC employees, because of his outstanding contributions to customer service, teamwork, quality of care and leadership.

He is a board-certified neonatologist in private practice with Natchez Trace Neonatology P.A. and a member of the NMMC Women's Hospital medical staff. He completed his medical studies at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville and his pediatric residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics for the subspecialty of neonatal-perinatal medicine.

Griggs appointed assistant CNO at BRMC

Donna Griggs, RN, has been appointed assistant chief nursing officer at Biloxi Regional Medical Center. Griggs has been employed at BRMC as the director of the medial/surgical unit for five years.

She received her nursing degree in 1991 from Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, Ky. She is enrolled in the University of Southern Mississippi RN to MSN program at BRMC.

Shaw promoted to director of Industrial Health & Wellness at BRMC

Wanda Shaw has been promoted to director of Industrial Health & Wellness at Biloxi Regional Medical Center. Most recently, she served as the hospital's director of cardiopulmonary for five years and has been employed with BRMC for 15 years.

She is a registered respiratory therapist and a certified pulmonary function technician. She attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College where she earned a degree of applied science/respiratory care.

Chatham appointed director of cariopulmonary at BRMC

Kim Chatham, assistant director, has been appointed director of cardiopulmonary at Biloxi Regional Medical Center. She has been with the hospital for 17 years.

Chatham attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College where she received a degree in respiratory care. She is a registered respiratory therapist, a certified smoking cessation instructor and an asthma coordinator.

Duhe promoted

Suzette Duhe has been promoted to the position of regional director of managed care for Health Management Associate's Mississippi Division. She has served as director of finance at Biloxi Regional Medical Center, an HMA facility, since February 2004.

She attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she received a degree in accounting and graduated summa cum laude. She is also a certified public accountant and a certified healthcare financial professional.

In her new role, she will oversee the managed care activities of HMA's eight Mississippi facilities. Duhe is a member of the Biloxi Lions Club, where she serves on the Fundraising Committee, and a second-year board member for the Mississippi Chapter of Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Springer named director of strategic planning at Biloxi Regional

Kathy Springer has joined Biloxi Regional Medical Center as director of strategic planning. Springer will oversee the hospital's business development and strategic planning.

She attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she received a degree in psychology and education. Previously, she served as director of business development at Gulf Coast Medical Center.

She is a member of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, where she has served as president, a member of the Biloxi Rotary Club, serves as a board member for the United Way of South Mississippi, serves Our Lady of Fatima School Board as vice president, serves on the Board of Trustees of Leadership Gulf Coast and will be the program chair of Leadership Gulf Coast Class of 2005-2006.

Strayham promoted to COO at Riley

Joan Strayham, assistant administrator for Biloxi Regional Medical Center (BRMC) has been promoted to chief operating officer at Health Management Associates, Inc. Meridian hospital, Riley Memorial Hospital. (BRMC is also an HMA hospital.)

Strayham has been with BRMC for more than 15 years. She progressed in her career through the years from a staff nurse, department director, chief nursing officer and most recently assistant administrator.

She received a degree in nursing and a master's in health care administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member of the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce and Biloxi Lions Club, and serves with the St. Martin/D'Iberville Chamber of Commerce.