News Around the State

Forrest General Hospital’s Employee of the Year Goes To… Linda Dunnam!

Forrest General is proud to announce Linda Dunnam, Enviromental Services supervisor, as 2006 Employee of the Year. Dunnam was chosen for many reasons, one of which is her consistently pleasant attitude, tackling all assignments or problems with dedication a smile. “Leading by example, she is an inspiration and motivator to all who interact with her,” said Ora Shaheed, Vice President of Clinical Operations.

Dunnam exemplifies the Forrest General Way and takes pride in her work. She displays a powerful influence in a team environment. One example is when she organized, supervised, and coordinated multiple departments to set up an ancillary waiting room for critical care families. She will cry with you, laugh with you and pray with you. She is such a great patient advocate and is quick to recognize the needs of patients and family members during her rounds. Many of her employees accuse of her of “bringing out of the best in everyone.” “She is the epitome of the Forrest General Way in her excellent job performance and caring concern for all customers including patients, families, other department’s fellow team members and the community,” said Robin Strickland, Director of Registration.

Dunnam is creative in making helpful suggestions, whether it is for storage problems in clinical areas or sprucing up existing areas around the hospital. “Linda is energetic, cares about people, and is committed to Forrest General,” Darlene Guinn, Manager of Enviromental Services. Each project she undertakes is always completed professionally. She commands the respect from her department and co-workers and can often be overheard with her daily response to them after they complete a job with “Thank you. I appreciate you!"

In appreciation for her and all that she does at Forrest General Hospital, she was selected as Employee of the Year for 2006. Way to go, Linda!

Frick named NMMC Education Director

Elizabeth S. "Beth" Frick has been promoted to director of North Mississippi Medical Center's Education Department.

Frick has been employed by NMMC since 1985, with 15 years of experience in the Education Department working as education and training coordinator and education specialist. She also worked as the health education coordinator with NMMC's Wellness Center from 1990 to 1992 and as the oncology/hospice dietitian during her first five years with the organization.

A native of Tremont, Frick received her bachelor's degree in foods and nutrition from Mississippi State University and a master's degree in educational psychology from the University of Mississippi. She is a registered, licensed dietitian and is a certified master facilitator in FranklinCovey curriculums along with other specialty course work.

She and her husband, Robert, have a five-year-old daughter, Rachel. They reside in Tupelo and attend First United Methodist Church. She is actively involved in Tupelo Community Theater, United Way of Northeast Mississippi, Project Hope, local, state and national chapters of the dietetic association and the Mississippi Hospital Association Society for Healthcare Education.

Caroling and Cookies bring cheer to Jefferson Inn gentlemen

The Elder Services Committee from Rankin County Chamber of Commerce hosted a Christmas party at Jefferson Inn Dec. 21. Pictured: Gale Martin, executive director Rankin County Chamber of Commerce (RCCC); Richard McMullan, children’s services director Region 8 Mental Health Center; Alahna Wright, marketing director Providence Hospice; Chantel Lott, marketing director Jaquith Nursing Home; Sheila Reed, development director Region 8; Jennifer Stegall, assistant director of RCCC; Angela Jones, senior services director for City of Brandon; Daniel Elliott, branch manager Bancorp South-Crossgates; Shannon Hood, sales manager for RCCC.

The gentlemen of Jaquith Nursing Home’s Jefferson Inn were treated to a Christmas party including cookies and caroling Thurs., Dec. 21. The celebration, which brought together community members, refreshments, and gifts for the residents of Jefferson Inn, was a collaborative effort between the elder services committee from Rankin County’s Chamber of Commerce, Region 8 Mental Heath Center and JNH.

“We were invited to host a party to make sure that each resident has the opportunity to enjoy and participate in the Christmas season. Our committee is pleased to have found another avenue to serve seniors,” said Sheila Reed, chairperson elder services committee and development director at Region 8.

The party included assorted cookies, fruit punch, caroling and gift bags that were colorfully wrapped with festive ribbons. Each resident received a gift bag that included items such as hand lotion, socks, toothpaste, toothbrush, and comb. Residents and committee members also caroled together.

“One resident asked if he could sing for the committee and then surprised us all when he started singing Elvis Presley’s song ‘I can’t help falling in love with you,’” added Lee Varner, administrator-in-training for Jefferson Inn.

“I was very touched when I learned of the committee's plans to host the party for our residents. Some of our residents have little or no contact with their families. This party is a way for them to enjoy the celebration of Christmas that many of us take for granted,” commented Marc Lewis, director of JNH.

Each year a goal is set to provide a party for each and JNH Inn and Mississippi State Hospital building. People from all over the state rally in support through their church groups, co-workers, civic groups and service organizations to help make the holiday season truly memorable. This Dec.’s celebrations totaled more than 120 both on campus of MSH and JNH.

To volunteer at JNH any time during the year, please contact Volunteer Services at 601.351.8377.

Wesley Names Employee and Manager of the Year

During Wesley Medical Center’s 2006 Annual Employee Christmas Celebration, Judy Gill was named Manager of the Year and Benjamin Hardy was named Employee of the Year.

“When our CEO, Mr. Seal announced my name, I was very excited, surprised and humbled,” said Hardy, a fitness and personal training Coordinator at the Institute for Wellness and Sports Medicine (IWSM). “Instead of me being named Employee of the Year, it should have been IWSM as Department of the Year. The team we have here is excellent, and when you’ve got a team like this one, it makes my job so much easier.”

Hardy was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. He is a graduate of Jackson Preparatory High School and then earned his B.S. and M.S. from The University of Southern Mississippi. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and is also certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He began his career at Wesley in 2000 as a part-time Exercise Physiologist and became a full-time coordinator in 2002.

“When you think of IWSM, you think of Benjamin Hardy,” said Wesley CEO Ronald T. Seal. “Whether he is working with a client for personal training, creating new fitness programs, cleaning the pool or weight room or visiting with members, Benjamin has that highly recognizable smile. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him working without that smile on his face.”

Benjamin and his wife Kristi have two children, Ainsley and Aidan. They are members of First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg.

Judy Gill, MS, RD, LD, is Wesley Medical Center’s Director of Nutrition and Food Services, Director of Environmental Services and serves as the hospital’s Safety Chairman. “When you think of Judy, you think of the word, capable,” said Seal. “She takes on her various roles at Wesley with a sense of ownership and enthusiasm. I don’t believe she has ever said “no” when asked to take on a new challenge.”

Gill has served the patients of Wesley for more than 25 years. “I was very surprised and humbled to have been chosen by my peers for the award,” said Gill. “It is a great honor for me and for my employees because it is due to their hard work and support that I can be chosen for such an award.”

Judy earned an undergraduate degree in Home Economics from Delta State University. She also earned an undergraduate degree as well as a Masters Degree in Nutrition from Mississippi State University. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association, the Mississippi Dietetic Association and the South Central Dietetic Association. She was recognized as the young Dietitian of the Year in Mississippi in 1987. She has served as an Adjunct Professor in General Nutrition at The University of Southern Mississippi and is currently an Adjunct Professor teaching Nutrition to nursing students at William Carey University.

Judy and her husband John are active members of the Hattiesburg Corvette club and are members of First Baptist Church of Sumrall.

Forrest General Hospital names new Director of Human Resources Support

Forrest General's HR Department has named Troy Daniels Director of Human Resources Support. He will oversee compensation, benefits, employee health, and employee recognition. Daniels has been with Forrest General Hospital for 12 years where he started out as a recruiter, was promoted to compensation analyst, then compensation manager, then compensation and benefits manager.

Prior to joining FGH, Daniels was a helicopter pilot for the US Army, as well as a personnel manager for a 500 man squadron at Ft. Bragg, NC. He also served as a protocol officer for the 18th Airborne Corp at Ft. Bragg.

Daniels is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Daniels is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the South Mississippi Chapter of SHRM.

He is a board member for the Pine Belt Family Y and member of the Supervisory Committee for Central Sunbelt Federal Credit Union. He also has served on the Pearl River Workforce Development Council. He is a member of the 2002 ADP’s Leaders for a New Century class.

Daniels and his wife Terri, have two sons, Joel and Ryan. The family attends River of Life church.

Forrest General Hospital names new Director of Human Resources Operations

Forrest General's HR Department has named Wayne Chance as Director of Human Resources Operations. He will be over recruitment, applicant management, employee relations and analytics.

Chance has worked in human resources for more than 29 years. Prior to assuming his present role, he served Forrest General for more than five years as employment manager and almost five years as employee relations manager.

Chance is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the South Mississippi Chapter of SHRM, which he has served twice as vice president and president. He also holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification.

Chance and his wife Libby have two sons, Jeremy, age 27, who is married to Brittney, and Charles, age 24. The Chance family is actively involved in the Purvis United Methodist Church, where Wayne served several years as Youth Director.

MSH presents Singing Christmas Tree

Yuletide music filled the Building 38 Auditorium as the Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) music department presented its annual Christmas program, which this year, was a Singing Christmas Tree. MSH staff members and three patients sang a variety of songs during a morning and an afternoon performance Wednesday, Dec. 13.

“It was a beautiful performance and it really went well,” said MSH Music Teacher Gayle Entrekin. “We’re grateful for all the people who joined in and participated in the choir. It turned out to be a very beautiful and meaningful music program.”

Entrekin said she hopes the program had special meaning for MSH patients and nursing home residents. “They don’t always get to attend a live performance,” she said. “Live performances provide a special, unique opportunity for everyone. This was our special musical gift for the MSH patients.”

MSH Administrative Assistants Donna Boykin and Debbie Boteler said although they enjoyed the program themselves, they especially enjoyed seeing the patients and residents having a good time. “It was a very colorful performance,” Boykin said. “This is something we should do every year. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked all the music – it was upbeat.”

“I thought it was wonderful, I really enjoyed the variety of the songs they sang,” Boteler said. “To see the patients enjoy the music was very touching. It made me happy to see them happy.”

Thom Coats, academic teacher at MSH, said the event has meaning for both patients and participants. “The Christmas program always provides the opportunity for everyone to get together as a community and share the joy and mystery of the season,” he said. “I wouldn’t miss it!”

Santas bring smiles to MSH

Thirty-two Santas helped spread Christmas cheer to individuals served on Mississippi State Hospital’s (MSH) Whitfield campus, in the community services program in Jackson, and at the crisis intervention centers (CICs) in Cleveland and Grenada. The Santas, which included civic, business and community leaders, and MSH staff members include: Billy Baldree, MSH; James Blackwell, MSH; Bill Bobbs, Mississippi Department of Mental Health; Judge Tom Broome, Rankin County; James G. Chastain, MSH Director; Hazel Cliburn, MSH; Tim Cockrell, Central Mississippi Medical Center; Bill Duchie, Brandon; Eric Eaton, BancorpSouth; Jan Flowers, Central Mississippi Medical Center; Randy Foster, MSH; State Sen. Hillman Frazier of Jackson; Mike Hudson, Oakdale Baptist Church; Mark Jourdan, Clinton; W.C. King Jr., MSH; Don Kleeb, Florence; Carl Mangum, University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing; Gale Martin, Rankin County Chamber of Commerce; Lula Nichols, Central Mississippi Medical Center; John Nord, Canton; John Pace, MSH; Davis A. Richards, Rankin Medical Center; Denorris Skinner, MSH; Bobby Stephens, Friends of MSH; Alan Tanner, MSH; Steve Wells, Columbia; Tony White, MSH; Elvie A. Willis, Central Mississippi Medical Center; and Andy Wogoman, MSH. Not pictured are Charles Williams, MSH, who served as Santa at the Community Services program in Jackson, A. J. Minga, Grenada County Supervisor, who served as Santa at the Grenada CIC and Billy Morehead, Delta State University, who served as Santa at the Cleveland CIC.

Huge smiles brightened the faces of Mississippi State Hospital(MSH) patients and Jaquith Nursing Home (JNH) residents Wednesday, Dec. 20 as 29 Santas spread out across MSH’s Whitfield campus to extend Christmas cheer.

The Santas included civic, business and community leaders, and MSH staff members who handed out personalized gift bags that contained clothes, personal items, games, fruit and candy.

State Sen. Hillman Frazier of Jackson has served as a volunteer Santa for more years than he can remember.

“I do it because I enjoy it,” Frazier said. “Looking at the happiness in people’s faces around here really brings joy to my heart. It also reminds me to count my blessings.”

Former JNH nurse Vivian Shivers of Magee, who served as one of Santa’s (Frazier) helpers, said she has volunteered for Santa Day since her retirement in 1987.

“I like working with patients, and it is just a delight to come back,” she said. “The smiles on the patients’ faces make it all worthwhile.”

Gale Martin, executive director of the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, said Santa Day is as important to him as it is to the patients.

“It means a lot to me to be able to give the patients a little happiness,” he said. “It also helps me to get into the Christmas spirit.”

Volunteer Santa Davis Richards, CEO of Rankin Medical Center in Brandon, brought three of his employees along to serve as his helpers.

“We find it uplifting to be here,” Richards said. “We just want to bring some joy and cheer to the patients during this time of year.”

Mark Moore, pastor of Mendenhall Church of God, and his wife Rachelle brought their two sons, 12-year-old John Mark and 8-year-old Jacob to Santa Day so that the boys could experience the joy of giving.

“We wanted to let them participate in an event that helps others who are less fortunate,” Pastor Moore said.

Denorris Skinner, staffing analyst at MSH, said his role as Santa allows him to serve the patients directly.

“I really enjoy the opportunity to get out of the office and share this time with the patients,” he said. “Anytime I have an opportunity to serve the patients directly, it’s a great opportunity. It makes me feel warm inside.”

MSH Director James G. Chastain thanked the volunteers who helped make Santa Day a success.

“I’m very appreciative that so many people want to volunteer their time with us at Christmas,” he said. “We wouldn’t be successful without their efforts and their help.

“It’s always humbling and gratifying to see the smiles on the patients’ faces when they receive their gifts,” Chastain said.

Santa Day was also celebrated Dec. 20 at MSH’s Community Services program in Jackson, and on Dec. 12 at MSH’s crisis intervention centers (CICs) in Cleveland and Grenada.

“I just enjoy the happiness the patients seem to have on Santa Day,” said A. J. Minga, who stepped out of his role as a Grenada County supervisor and into a red Santa suit to deliver presents to patients at the Grenada CIC. “That’s what it’s all about, bringing the spirit of Christmas to them. They love it.”

Jimmy Spruill, a patient at the Grenada CIC, said he is grateful for the gifts he received.

“I’m having a good time.” Spruill said. “I love Santa Claus and I’m glad he came. I appreciate the gifts because I could have received nothing.”

Spruill said it had been approximately 20 years since he last received a Christmas present.

Delta State University Administrator Billy Morehead served as Santa at the Cleveland CIC.

“Having worked in mental health for 10 years, I know what this day means to the patients,” said Morehead, who currently serves as director of fiscal services at Delta State. “Many of the patients don’t get to participate in a lot of Christmas activities.”

Sheila Shows, volunteer services coordinator at MSH, said the hospital is able to provide gifts because of the generosity of the general public.

“As a state-operated facility, we cannot use state funds to purchase Christmas gifts,” she said. “Therefore, we rely on people from all across the state, and even the nation, to provide our patients and residents with a memorable Christmas.

"We thank those who have volunteered year after year, whether by hosting a party, serving as a Santa, or writing a check,” Shows said. “Without our volunteers, a lot of our patients would not experience the thrill and excitement of the holiday season.”

MSH has celebrated Santa Day for 25 years.

Forrest General Introduces LiveWell Center

Rob Stultz, Vice President of Human Resources at Forrest General; Bill Oliver, President of Forrest General; Dr. Richard Galloway, Endocrinologist at Hattiesburg Clinic and Medical Director of the LiveWell Center; and, Jeanne Carlson, Director of the LiveWell Center, greeted members of the community during an open house on December 13 at the LiveWell Center.

Forrest General celebrated a change to the hospital’s preventive health and health maintenance program during an open house on Wednesday, December 13. Formerly known as Health Management Connection, the LiveWell Center of Forrest General Hospital seeks to empower individuals to take action for their own health. The LiveWell Center is located at 5909 Highway 49, Suite 40, at the Cloverleaf Medical Plaza in Hattiesburg (next to Wal-Mart).

“The LiveWell Center is a continuum of services to help individuals make the most of their health,” said Millie Swan, Director of Physician and Public Relations at Forrest General. “Anyone motivated to take action for their health can participate in the programs at the LiveWell Center. Some specialized programs require a physician’s referral, while others do not. The Center offers something for everyone,” said Swan.

The LiveWell Center’s programs include CardioPulmonary Rehabilitation, Diabetes Care Center, Medical Nutrition Therapy, Nutrition Counseling, Cardiovascular Disease Management, Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy, Supervised Exercise Therapy, Weight Management, Child and Family Weight Management Programs and a Smoking Cessation Program, in addition to other free community support groups.

In addition, the LiveWell Center, in a joint venture with Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services, opened a new Outpatient Evaluation Center in West Hattiesburg in October. The service is new in its concept as an evaluation center, offering physical therapy evaluations, fitness evaluations and mental health assessments. These services are available to anyone without a physician referral, by appointment only. The Outpatient Evaluation Center is located at 6668 Highway 98, Suite F.

For more information on the LiveWell Center, call FGH OnCall at 1-800-844-4445, then press 1.

Employees honored for years of service at MSH

December Service Award recipients are: (first row, left to right) Viripi Jones of Clinton, Ruth Turner of Jackson, Ann Oswalt of Florence, (second row, left to right) Billy Baldree of Brandon, Theresa Reep of Brandon, Anthony Miggins of Jackson, and Kendrick Hamilton of Jackson.

Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) recently honored employees with December anniversary dates for their years of service to the hospital. Service awards are given to employees in the month of their date of hire, beginning with five years and every fifth year following. Employees receive a Certificate of Appreciation and a Service Award Pin. The program is sponsored by Friends of Mississippi State Hospital, Inc.