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Pioneer Community Hospital has opened a sleep lab at its Hamilton Clinic. The lab opened on Oct. 3 and performs sleep studies three nights a week. Dr. Frank Qureshi works with the sleep lab to study the data collected.
Dr. Sherif Andrews, who specializes in emergency medicine and family practice, has now joined the Delta Regional Medical Center's active medical staff. He will be assigned as an emergency room physician at DRMC's main campus Emergency Department.
Andrews comes to DRMC from Shreveport, La., where he practiced emergency medicine for two years. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Ain Shams University Medical School in Cairo, Egypt.
He has completed extensive medical training, including a residency in family practice and a clinical fellowship in neurosurgery at Louisiana State University Medical School in Shreveport. He is board certified in Family Practice.
Since Choctaw County Medical Center opened nearly two years ago, it continues to grow. CCMC is currently in the process of bringing in several new additions to the hospital, including a geri/psych unit, an Alzheimer patient care facility and its upgrading the existing radiology services by adding a CAT scan machine and bone density testing services. The geri/psych unit will open in December and the Alzheimer facility is expected to be open by March of 2006.
Once each of the additions is completed the hospital will employ approximately 60 additional employees along with the 155 already employed by the hospital.
Biloxi Regional Medical Center held the quarterly awards ceremony on October 26, 2005. Service awards were presented to the following: 25 years – Jean Cooper, Leslie Johnson; 15 Years – George Bickel, Barbara Breal, Kimberly Lee; 10 Years – Nicole Winters; 5 Years – Anita Bordeaux, Tiffany Cowan, Dorothy Webb, Angela Louviere, Debra Kaiser.
Collector was named Employee of the Quarter. Olivia Lanier, RN, 6th Floor, was the recipient of the Nursing Excellence of the Quarter Award. Cindi Butcher, RN, ER & Darrin Ivey, Plant Operations were named Managers of the Quarter. Chef Jon Marc Vanzutphen, Nutritional Services, was named Contract Employee of the Quarter. Angelia Ellzey, Volunteer, was named Volunteer of the Quarter.
Darlene Akins, Insurance Supervisor, was named Employee of the Year. Marcy Geary, RN, 6th Floor, was named Nurse of the Year. Darrin Ivey, Plant Operations, was named Manager of the Year.
A hospital might be an unusual place to hold a book signing, but for the fact that the author is an OB/GYN at the hospital. Dr. Darden North recently held a signing for his self-published first book, House Call, at Woman's Hospital in Flowood. (He's also held a signing at Lemuria Books in Jackson.)
The book is a medical murder/mystery that takes place in the fictional town of Montclair, Mississippi. For more information from the author or to request a signed copy, e-mail darden@dardennorth.com.
The Mental Health Association of the Capital Area’s Jimmy Stubbs Memorial Golf Classic on November 18 was a success raising more than $12,000. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Mental Health Association of the Capital Area (MHACA), a non-profit organization that provides services to the mentally ill and their families.
Sixteen teams played in the event to raise money for programs and activities that help enrich the lives of the mentally ill and their families.
A golf lover and mental health advocate, Jimmy Stubbs was a great friend and supporter of MHACA. He served as president of MHACA and was a past director of Mississippi State Hospital (MSH).
MHACA was founded in 1962 because a group of concerned citizens felt there needed to be resources available for people struggling with mental illness. Since its creation, MHACA has contributed greatly to the needs of persons with mental illness. MHACA’s primary goal is to promote mental health, prevent mental disorders and achieve victory over mental illness.
The first place team was Region 4, Timberhills Mental Health Center. Ergon placed second, and third place was Central Mississippi Medical Center.
First Place Winning Team —Region 4, Timberhills Mental Health Center: Pictured, from left, are Rodney Little, John Crow, Zane Elliott and Clint Turner, all of Alcorn County. 
Second Place Winning Team — Ergon: Pictured, from left, are Keith Clair of Rankin County, Tommy Raines of Madison County, Barry Cooper of Hinds County and Rocky Larson of Harrison County. 
Third Place Winning Team — Central Mississippi Medical Center: Pictured, from left, Akif Khawaja, Tauqeer Yousuf, Babutunde Olutade, all of Madison County and Chad Miller of Rankin County.
Each year, the administrators of Central Mississippi Medical Center have the pleasure of selecting the Employees of the Year from among those named Employees of the Quarter throughout the year. Once again, administrators are confident that they have selected the best of the best. 
Sarah McGriggs, assistant manager of Environmental Services/Central Transportation, was named the Employee of the Year. “There is nothing too great to accomplish for CMMC’s customers,” is the philosophy that McGriggs has lived by every day for the past 28 years. During this time, she has ensured that the hallways, lobbies, patient rooms and departments are clean for visitors, employees and patients of the hospital. Whether it’s behind the scenes or hands-on, McGriggs does whatever it takes to get the task done and done well, which is one of the reasons why she recently received the Employee of the Quarter Award.
Craig Montgomery, director of Environmental Services and Central Transportation, says that she is a very dedicated employee - hard working, supportive and trustworthy. “She is well liked throughout the CMMC family. She enjoys working around people and making a difference. Her 28 years of service to the organization is greatly appreciated and being recognized as the employee of the year is very appropriate.”
McGriggs was raised in Utica, Mississippi where she raised her three children and still resides. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree at Hinds Community College – Utica Branch. She is a member of the International Executive Housekeeping Association on the Board of Directors for the Natchez Trace Chapter of the Southeastern District of the International Executive Housekeeping Association. She currently serves on the Mock Code Team and the Patient Flow Team at CMMC.
Stacey Spencer, RN, on 3SE - Oncology Unit at CMMC, received the Nursing Excellence Award of the Year. For 21 years, Spencer has brightened the hallways of Central Mississippi Medical Center. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS. Spencer began her career at CMMC as an extern in Outpatient Surgery in 1984. In 1998, she received her certification in oncology. She currently works as a charge nurse for Chemotherapy patients on 3SE. Spencer is a member of the Oncology Nursing Association.
Tomo Waddell, former nurse manager of 3SE, who nominated Spencer for the Nursing Excellence Award for the First Quarter 2005, wrote that Spencer has made a tremendous difference in nursing care delivery on the unit. “Her excellence in nursing is recognized by patients, colleges and medical staff alike. She not only has the professional expertise to provide excellent care, but she has been a significant factor in building a cohesive nursing team through her ability to bring out the team’s best.” Spencer is active in the community through her participation in events for the American Cancer Society and the Community Organization for Healthcare Awareness. She and her three girls, Casey, Lisa and Emily, reside in Clinton, MS.
Pam Beck, MS, RD, LD, director of Food and Nutrition Services, was named the Department Manager of the Year. Over the past nine years, Beck has become known for her expertise in the field of dietetics and nutrition and her attention to details.
Beck has been instrumental in assisting the hospital with cutting operational expenses while maintaining the high quality of service patients expect from CMMC. In the summer of 2004, she saved the hospital almost $600,000 per year when she brought the operation and management of Food Services in-house. The following spring, when Beck launched her Room Service program, CMMC became the first facility in the state to offer patients the freedom to manage their meals while hospitalized.
According to Beck, the extremely successful program was initiated to empower patients. “When you are admitted to a hospital, there aren’t many things you have control over. We wanted to empower our patients by allowing them to have better control over their mealtimes and food selections,” said Pam Beck, R.D., director of Food & Nutrition Services. “With this new service, the patient has a two-and-a-half hour span for each mealtime to which they can place their order, which is ideal for patients who like to eat very early in the morning or very late in the morning. This flexibility in time, along with the extensive menu that we have designed, is a great perk for the patients.”
Emily Young, Chief Operating Officer - Ancillary/Support Services, says that, “Pam is truly an asset to CMMC. She is knowledgeable and professional in all aspects of her work and well respected by her peers. She is passionate and willingly accepts any challenge presented. Her leadership has enabled us to dramatically improve the operational efficiency of our Food Service department while simultaneously increasing patient satisfaction.”
Beck is actively involved in the community. She is a member of the Mississippi Dietetic Association where she served on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Nominating Committee. She also holds a membership in the American Dietetic Association and the Central District Dietetic Association. In 2001, she was named the American Dietetic Association’s and the Central District Dietetic Association’s Emerging Dietetic Leader of the Year. She was named Central Mississippi Medical Center’s Department Manager of the Quarter in 2000 and 2005.
Beck has served on the Planning Committee for the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, a featured speaker for the Go Red Campaign and as Chairman of the Madison County Relay for Life since 2000. She serves as a Student Field Instructor for Mississippi State University, the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi College where she enables students to obtain practical experience in the field of Dietetics.
Community organizations often call on Beck to make various professional presentations and healthy cooking demonstrations. She has authored several articles for various community publications. Beck is responsible for the development of all nutritional materials for the YMCA’s successful Greater Jackson Shrinkdown program.
Beck and her husband, Jody, have a two-year-old son named Taylor. The family resides in Madison where they are members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
On Monday, November 7, 2005, the leadership at Riley Hospital changed. Mr. Kerry Tirman became the new Chief Executive Officer at the hospital. Since 1999 he has held various healthcare positions. Tirman has served as chief operating officer at an HMA sister hospital, Midwest Regional Medical Center in Midwest City, Oklahoma, for two years. He also served as chief compliance officer at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula, MS.
Kerry Tirman received his Juris Doctorate Degree along with a Masters in Business Administration from Tulane University. He received an undergraduate degree in Math from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Tirman also served six years as the Ship Driver in the U.S. Navy.
The change in leadership will not affect the hospital’s service to the community or the excellent patient care that many have come to know and appreciate.
“I look forward to this great opportunity. We look forward to growing the hospital’s existing medical services as well as getting more involved with the community of Meridian,” says Tirman. Tirman and his wife, Vicki, have two sons, Chase 9 and Cory 7.
The Singing River Hospital medical staff recently named two Caregivers of the Quarter. Carole Dawson, a phlebotomist in the Laboratory, was named Non-Nursing Caregiver of the Quarter. Sheri O'Bryant, RN, in the Outpatient Nursing Center, was named Nursing Caregiver of the Quarter.
Carole Dawson was presented with the SRH Non-Nursing Caregiver Award by SRH Lab Director Eric Reed. Carole joined SRH in 1985.
Sheri O'Bryant received the SRH Nursing Caregiver of the Quarter Award from Dr. Catherine Hirsch. Sheri was born and raised in Pascagoula and earned her associate's degree in nursing from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. She began her nursing career at SRH in 1969 in Geriatrics. From 1970 to 1972 she worked as an LPN in Orthopedics and as an RN in Orthopedics from 1987 to 1989. In 1992, she joined the endoscopy team at SRH. She relocated in 2001 to the Mississippi Coast Endoscopy and Outpatient Surgery Center.
The Board of Trustees of Singing River Hospital System has announced the officers of the medical staffs for both Singing River Hospital and Ocean Springs Hospital for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. The new officers began their terms on Oct. 1, 2005.
Dr. Millette
Dr. Terrence J. Millette, neurologist, will serve as chief of staff of Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula. Dr. Randy Roth, internal medicine specialist/hospitalist, will serve as chief of staff-elect. Dr. Hal Moore, radiologist, will once again be secretary/treasurer.
Dr. Millette is a native Pascagoulan. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. He is board certified in neurology and has been a member of the SRHS medical staff since 1986.
Dr. Rinker
Dr. Ronald Rinker, gastroenterologist, will serve as chief of staff at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs for a second consecutive term. Dr. Gregory W. Horn, OB/GYN, is chief of staff-elect and Dr. William Descher, anesthesiologist, will serve as secretary/treasurer.
Dr. Rinker is a native of Easton, Pa. He received his bachelor's degree from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa., and his medical degree from Tulane Unversity School of Medicine. Dr. Rinker is board certified in gastroenterology, hepatology and internal medicine. He has been a member of the OSH medical staff since 1998.
