News Around the State

Davis named staff writer at MSH

Christopher Davis has been named Staff Writer/Editor for the Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) Public Relations Department. Davis is a graduate of Delta State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He minored in political science and studied journalism, working for three consecutive semesters on the university’s newspaper, The Delta Statement.

“I got to work on the paper at a very exciting time,” Davis said. “Gov. (Haley) Barbour and (former Gov.) Ronnie Musgrove debated at Delta State. Faculty were sounding off about a pay hike for the college president that left them high and dry. We dug deep for those meaty kinds of hard news stories. It was our golden age. We did a great deal with The Statement while I was on board. I’m glad to have been a part of that.”

Davis, 30, calls Yazoo City his home and that is where his media career began.

“I started at age 19 at WMGO-FM. Jerry Lousteau of Canton owned the station and gave me a shot,” he said. Davis became news director at the station and stayed with the broadcasting company throughout his college career. He also worked as a morning show host for B93 Radio in Madison County.

“I will always love radio, no matter where I go career-wise, but I also love literature, music and print journalism as well,” he said. “I want to put all of those passions to work for me here at MSH to produce the best product I can.”

Davis’ duties will include writing for the hospital’s internal and external newsletters and other employee communications. He has three siblings, one of which is a graduate of Texas A&M. Another is sports editor for The Yazoo Herald and the third is a student in Holmes Community College’s nursing program. His mother holds a full-time job and studies nursing as well, while his father works full-time and manages hobbies in anthropology and crypto zoology.

“I am very proud of my family,” said Davis. “They are achievers and are a big part of what drives me on.”

JNH residents receive gift of music

Carrie Parker (second from left), of Blackberry Records, delivered 11 baskets for JNH residents the afternoon of Dec. 18 to Steve Walker (left), manager of MSH’s Clothing/Donation Center, Chantel Lott (second from right), JNH marketing director, and Holly Haralson (right), JNH recreation supervisor.

Residents at Jaquith Nursing Home (JNH) will have the opportunity to experience the joy of music thanks to the generosity of Blackberry Records, a Jackson-based gospel record label. The company donated 11 gift baskets, each stuffed with 20 gospel music cassettes.

The donation, valued at approximately $2,195 according to Blackberry Marketing Director Carrie Parker, was part of an outreach effort by the label.

Parker made initial contact with the nursing home through Recreation Supervisor Holly Haralson, who then contacted Steve Walker, manager of the Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) Clothing/Donation Center, who facilitated the donation process.

“Ms. Parker's initial telephone call came to me, and I was happy to assist her with the proper channels for such a generous donation to our residents,” said Haralson.

“Our residents will be pleased to have such an extensive gospel music collection at their fingertips. We are grateful to Blackberry Records for their thoughtful generosity,” commented Marc Lewis, JNH director.

The donated cassettes were bundled in red and green baskets, shrink wrapped and topped with holiday ribbons and bows. They were hand-delivered to each recreation staff member at all 11 JNH buildings that afternoon for the residents to enjoy.

In 1991, gospel recording artists The Williams Brothers founded Blackberry Records in Jackson. The Canton Spirituals, the True Believers and Rev. Clay Evans are other artists recorded by Blackberry Records. According to the company, one of their primary missions is to spread a message of faith through education and ministry.

Daniels named Employee of the Month at MSH

Iva Daniels of Silver Creek has been named Mississippi State Hospital’s (MSH) December 2007 Employee of the Month for Licensed Clinical Services.

Daniels, a native of Silver Creek, is a psychologist at MSH.

The MSH Employee of the Month award recognizes employees who have made outstanding contributions to the hospital through their work. The program is sponsored by Friends of Mississippi State Hospital Inc.

Kitchens named Employee of the Month at MSH

Fay Kitchens of Florence has been named Mississippi State Hospital’s (MSH) December 2007 Employee of the Month for Support Services.

Kitchens, a native of Columbia, is a program administrator at MSH.

The MSH Employee of the Month award recognizes employees who have made outstanding contributions to the hospital through their work. The program is sponsored by Friends of Mississippi State Hospital Inc.

McGee named Employee of the Month at MSH

Debra McGee of Edwards has been named Mississippi State Hospital’s (MSH) December 2007 Employee of the Month for Direct Care Services.

McGee, a native of Utica, is a mental health technician at MSH.

The MSH Employee of the Month award recognizes employees who have made outstanding contributions to the hospital through their work. The program is sponsored by Friends of Mississippi State Hospital Inc.

Employees honored for years of service at MSH

Miss. State Hospital December service award recipients include: (first row, l-r) Phyllis Shoemaker of Brandon, five years; Sarah Newsome of Brandon, 15 years; Tamika Lee of Jackson, five years; (second row, l-r) Stanley Nobles of D’Lo, 15 years; Jeffery Easterling of Brandon, 10 years; I. H. Williams of Jackson, 10 years; and Samuel Meyers of Pearl, five years.

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.

March of Dimes recognizes Baptist

Baptist Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is the first Mississippi site chosen for the March of Dimes' NICU Family Support program.

This designation, formally announced at a recent news conference, will provide a part-time March of Dimes employee to serve at the NICU Family Support Specialist on site.

Hazel Gaines, a registered nurse and the NICU Family Support Specialist assigned to Baptist, is the liaison for physicians and staff for the families of babies in the NICU.

In her role, Gaines will provide information and comfort to families. She also will coordinate the parent-to-parent volunteers, a major element of the program.

Parents who formerly had children in the NICU will serve on a committee that will help determine what programs would be most beneficial at Baptist.

Spirit Girls Christmas Event at Loyalton Retirement Center

Forrest General’s Spirit Girls serenaded the residents of Loyalton Retirement Center with traditional and fun Christmas carols.

Forrest General Hospital and Turtle Creek Mall’s Spirit Girls, a program of Forrest General’s Spirit of Women, visited the residents of Loyalton Retirement Center on Sunday, December 16, where they passed out handmade Christmas crafts and serenaded the residents with traditional and fun Christmas carols.

"This event is special for our girls because it allows them to spread holiday cheer to some of Hattiesburg's most valuable residents," said Millie Swan, Physician and Public Relations Director at Forrest General Hospital. "It teaches them the value of giving of their time and talents, and inspires them to think of others during this special time of year."

Spirit Girls, part of Forrest General’s Spirit of Women, is a teen modeling program with the mission to reach young women through events targeted at promoting self-esteem and healthy lifestyles. Spirit Girls consists of young ladies in 7th through 12th grades from throughout Forrest General’s 17-county service area. Spirit Girls participate in Spirit of Women programs and events, such as live mannequin modeling and fashion shows, focus groups, community and other charitable events throughout the year.

Spirit of Women is a national movement - not just a media campaign or a series of events, but a movement led by hospitals across the United States and supported by corporate partners and national media with the mission to move women to take action for better health…mind, body and spirit.

With nearly 6,000 members, Forrest General is the exclusive Spirit of Women hospital for South Mississippi.

Bobbie Ware Appointed to Baptist Chief Nursing Officer

   

Bobbie Ware, of Brandon, Miss., has assumed the role of vice president, chief nursing officer for Baptist Health Systems. She previously was vice president for Cancer and Support Services. In addition to having a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Mississippi College, she received her Master's Degree in Health Care Administration in 2006. She has 20 years of experience in the nursing profession with the past 18 years at Baptist and served as the director of Oncology Services.

Forrest General’s Spirit Girls Make Christmas Brighter for Underprivileged Youth

Forrest General’s Spirit Girls donated adopted thirty Angels from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree project this Christmas season. Pictured here are, left to right: Imani Stevens, Mary Lois Hanna, Senior Squad captain; Sundee Lewis, Senior Squad co-captain; Mary Ryan Karnes, Junior Squad Captain; Coury Zachary, and Ciara Mabins.

Forrest General Hospital and Turtle Creek Mall’s Spirit Girls, a program of Forrest General’s Spirit of Women, joined in the Christmas spirit this holiday season by providing gifts for underprivileged youth in the area. The Salvation Army enlisted the help of the teens to support their annual Angel Tree program.

Angel Tree is an annual Christmas project of the Salvation Army that helps provide Christmas gifts to children of qualifying families. Families are required to complete a rigorous application and justify their financial need with proof of income and expenses. Those who qualify are then asked to submit the clothes and shoe sizes of each child, and each child is allowed to request a special toy. The child’s first name, sizes and requests are placed on special Angel Tree cards, which are then distributed throughout the community.

"This event is special for our girls because it allows them to help others in their own community," said Millie Swan, Physician and Public Relations Director at Forrest General Hospital. "It teaches them the value of the Christmas wish and inspires them to think of others and be thankful during this special time of year."

Spirit Girls, part of Forrest General’s Spirit of Women, is a teen modeling program with the mission to reach young women through events targeted at promoting self-esteem and healthy lifestyles. Spirit Girls consists of young ladies in 7th through 12th grades from throughout Forrest General’s 17-county service area. Spirit Girls participate in Spirit of Women programs and events, such as live mannequin modeling and fashion shows, focus groups, community and other charitable events throughout the year.

Spirit of Women is a national movement - not just a media campaign or a series of events, but a movement led by hospitals across the United States and supported by corporate partners and national media with the mission to move women to take action for better health…mind, body and spirit.

With nearly 6,000 members, Forrest General is the exclusive Spirit of Women hospital for South Mississippi.

For more information about how your daughter, niece or granddaughter can become a Spirit Girl next year, contact FGH OnCall at 1-800-844-4445, then press 1.