News Around the State

St. Dominic’s Physical Therapists Receive Neuro Specialist Certification

(Pictured) Left to right: Rachel Jacobson, Teresa Ware and Wendy Barrilleaux

Three physical therapists employed at St. Dominic Hospital have received the American Physical Therapist Association’s (APTA) certification to become Neuro Certified Specialists (NCS). Rachel Jacobson, Teresa Ware and Wendy Barrilleaux are now three of only seven therapists in the state to become board certified clinical specialists in neurology.

“St. Dominic’s is fortunate to have three out of Mississippi’s seven NCS physical therapists working for our organization,” said Kimberly Willis, PT, DPT, clinical coordinator of neuro therapy at St. Dominic’s.

“These therapists have a combined total of over 55 years working with the neurological patient population. Along with their experience, they now have the prestige of having passed the neuro certification exam.”

The APTA established the neuro specialist certification program in 1978. The process involves physical therapists building on a broad base of professional education and practice to develop a greater depth of knowledge related to neurologic clinic practice. The specialist program was established to provide formal recognition for physical therapists with advanced clinical knowledge, experience and skills in neurologic practice.

An NCS is a licensed physical therapist who has:

• Completed over 2,000 hours of neurologic practice while working with individuals who have neurologic dysfunction.
• Demonstrated competency in patient care, patient education, interpretation of research, administration and consultation.
• Passed the Neurologic Certified Specialist Examination
• Obtained certification Neurologic Physical Therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).

“I am so proud that St. Dominic’s has three clinicians who have achieved such a distinguished level of specialty,” said Cris Bourn, neuroscience/orthopedic service line administrator at St. Dominic’s. “It really sets our program apart from other general physical therapy programs in the area.”

Friends of MSH names 2011-2012 board of directors

 

Friends of the Mississippi State Hospital voted in officers and board members for the 2011-2012 year at its annual meeting on Wednesday, August 24.  Founded in 1987, Friends of Mississippi State Hospital, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the work of Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) and informing the public of mental illness and the needs of the mentally ill. 

Friends donates 100 percent of its funds to support events and programs that enrich the lives of MSH patients, individuals served in the community, Jaquith Nursing Home residents and employees.  Their annual events include a fishing rodeo, an Independence Day fireworks celebration and monthly recognition for MSH patients and employees.  Friends is made up of MSH staff members, local civic groups, businesses and patients’ family members.

Pictured are the 2011-2012 Friends of the Mississippi State Hospital Board of Directors (front row, l to r) Sheila Shows, Miriam Hollens, Mary Crossman, Marilyn Garth, Jerald Ball, Bobby Stephens, Ray Wallace, (back row, l to r) Gale Martin, Steve Lesley, Dee Payne, Joel Ross, and Marc Lewis.  Not pictured are Bill Bobbs, John Overby, Jeannie Pittman and Benny Hubbard.

For more information about Friends of the MSH, visit www.msh.state.ms.us.

Kidney, Liver Transplant Surgeon Joins UMMC

 

With the addition of a new transplant surgeon, the University of Mississippi Medical Center will begin offering liver transplants in the next year.

Dr. Chris Anderson, who specializes in adult and pediatric liver and kidney transplants, has joined UMMC and will see patients through University of Mississippi Health Care.

Anderson, a Lucedale native who previously worked at Washington University in St. Louis, currently leads the kidney transplant program. He said it will likely take six months to a year for the liver program to begin because key staff members need to be recruited to the team.

Anderson has no doubt that the program will succeed.

“I didn’t come here just to come home. The institution is committed to this growth from top to bottom. There’s support here to make this happen. Our goal is that no one should leave the state to get excellent transplant care,” he said.

A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Anderson earned the M.D. at Emory University in Atlanta. He completed residency training in general surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he also completed a fellowship in hepatobiliary surgical research.

Anderson was a fellow in abdominal transplant surgery from 2006-2008 at Washington University. He served as a staff surgeon in Missouri at Barnes Jewish Hospital, Barnes Jewish West County Hospital and Saint Louis Children’s Hospital.

Anderson’s immediate goal is to improve the kidney transplant program by promoting laparoscopic kidney surgery for living donor transplants.

“My personal goal is that if a physician in the state of Mississippi has a patient who needs a liver or kidney transplant, or has a liver tumor or bile duct problem, that they will know me and our program. Their patients should not have to leave the state to receive the most excellent transplant and hepatobiliary care.  It is our mission and our responsibility to provide comprehensive transplant care to patients who need it,” he said.

Anderson’s research interest is in fatty liver disease and how it impacts transplantation in donors and recipients.  His research focus is driven, in part, by an increase in obesity and metabolic diseases nationally. Obesity-related illnesses may lead to liver diseases.

“It will likely become a leading indication for liver transplant,” Anderson said. He hopes to collaborate with researchers in the UMMC Obesity, Metabolism & Nutrition Center.

Woman’s Hospital welcomes Mandy Reeves, MD

 

Woman’s Hospital and Jackson Healthcare for Women recently welcomed a native Mississippian and board certified doctor to their facilities and community.
     
Dr. Reeves, a native of Baldwyn, graduated from Mississippi State University and went on to earn her medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center where she also completed her internship and residency.

“I speak on behalf of our entire staff when I say we are thrilled to have Dr. Reeves practice with us at Woman’s Hospital,” said Sherry Pitts, CEO of Woman’s Hospital.

Rush expands ED medical team

 

Rush Foundation Hospital officials have recently announced that five new physician specialists have joined the medical staff and will practice in the hospital’s Emergency Department. 

Walt Willis, M.D., the physician who serves as medical director of the Emergency Department at Rush Foundation Hospital and all of the Rush Health Systems affiliate hospitals said the new physicians will be joining a strong team of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other experienced caregivers.

The new physicians include:

Patrick James Kirkland, M.D., a native of Philadelphia, MS who received his bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Mississippi State University and his medical degree from the University Of Mississippi School Of Medicine affiliated with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he completed an internship in the Department of Anesthesiology and the Emergency Medicine Transitional Year and Residency Programs.

John D. Lilley, M.D., a native of Raleigh, SC who received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, attended medical school at the Wake Forest University Medical School and his earned his medical degree from the University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten, North America; during which he completed clinical rotations in the United States and Ireland.  Dr. Lilley completed the Emergency Medicine residency program at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, LA.

Linus B. (Trey) Martin, III, M.D., a native of Madison, MS who received his bachelor’s degree in microbiology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi and his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.   He completed dual Emergency Medicine Residency programs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, He has worked in Emergency Departments of hospitals throughout the State for the past nine years.

James Perkins, M.D., a native of Harriman, TN who received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN and his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN and completed the residency program in Emergency Medicine at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center where he was Chief Resident.  Dr. Perkins has served as the physician for large events while working with Acadian Ambulance Services of New Orleans, LA and worked in the Emergency Department at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, LA.

Misty Nicole Rea, M.D., a native of Houston, MS who received dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Journalism from the University of Mississippi and her medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.  She completed her Emergency Medicine Residency at the Louisiana Sate University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, LA where she was Chief Resident.  She worked in the emergency department of Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, LA and Houma Urgent Care Center in Houma, LA. 

The new Rush physicians join Dr. Willis and Dr. Willie Greer, Dr. Kathleen Shine, and Dr. Seale as the medical leadership in the Emergency Department.

“Our entire staff is very excited about having these talented physicians join our ranks.  In addition to their outstanding education and training, they each bring great skills and a wealth of experience.  Strong leadership and expertise make a big difference in the Emergency Department, where seconds count and the caregiver team must be ready for anything that comes through the door.  This community is very fortunate to have physicians of this caliber joining our staff.  As any business or economic development leader will tell you, access to quality emergency care is a vitally important part of a community’s ability to thrive and grow.  We are very proud that Rush Health Systems is committed to quality emergency care and has recruited these experienced physicians to be a part of our dynamic team,” said Willis.

 

DRMC celebrates a year of miracles

 
Jamila Bell, RN, BSN; Christy Reynolds, RN, BSN; Tiffany Johnson; and Latroy Johnson with (babies, from left) Annasten Johnson and Landen Johnson

Opened on July 19, 2010, Delta Regional Medical Center's 10-bed, Level IIIA NICU provides care for premature, sick, or low-birth-weight newborns. It truly takes a team to care for these tiny patients.  The NICU staff includes a neonatologist, neonatal nurse practitioners, along with 18 registered nurses who are specially trained to care for infants with special needs. In addition, staff members from DRMC’s Respiratory Care, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Cardiology, Radiology, Pharmacy, Laboratory and Dr. Kenneth J. Hayles, Ophthalmologist, work closely with the unit.

“The Mississippi Delta has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country. Having a NICU at Delta Regional allows us to fight this statistic while keeping many more babies closer to their parents as opposed to transferring them to Jackson or Memphis for care which is a two or three hour drive for most families in the Mississippi Delta,” said Dr. Madhusudhan R. Pabbathi, neonatologist. “It is very rewarding to be able to offer cutting-edge technology including continuous ventilation support and life-support measures to provide excellent care for at-risk babies, close to home,” he added.                                                                                                                                                 

It’s a mother’s worst nightmare.  Tiffany Johnson, first time parent, after having a normal pregnancy, found herself in labor with her twins at just 32 weeks.  Tiffany and her husband, Latroy, were very nervous and scared about their tiny premature twins.  Landen was born weighing only 3 pounds and Annasten at only 3 pounds and 9 ounces.  Tiffany said, “I am a nurse myself, but it’s very different when it’s your family or loved ones who are sick and in the hospital.  Besides being overwhelmed with first time motherhood and twins, I now had all of these extra worries and concerns.  The nurses and doctor were great!  They kept me and my husband both in the loop by answering all of our questions, plus questions we didn’t even know to ask.  They helped ease our worries, and let us grow as parents as our babies grew.  And, with the open visiting hours, my husband was able to come spend a couple of hours in the evenings when he got off work to hold our babies and feed them, which is huge when you can’t take your babies home.  I am very excited to say that after four weeks in the NICU our sweet twins came home on July 13th.  Each day they are getting stronger and stronger.  Now Landen weighs 4 pounds and 13 ounces and Annasten weighs 5 pounds and 3 ounces.”          

In November 2010, DRMC began its Neonatal Transport program to provide a way to get sick newborns to DRMC when they are born at a hospital without a Level III NICU. During the last eight months, there have been 14 patients transported to DRMC from Bolivar, Sunflower, Leflore and Sharkey counties.  The newborn is transported in a special isolette specially designed for the critically ill patient, and is equipped for advanced life support, including mechanical ventilation and the continuous monitoring of every aspect of the baby's condition while in transit.  The Neonatal Transport Crew is comprised of a neonatologist, specially trained registered nurse and respiratory therapist; each crew member plays a key role in caring for and stabilizing the baby before, during and after the transport.  

During its first year of operation, Delta Regional’s NICU cared for 172 neonatal patients, as small as one pound and three ounces.  Additionally, the majority of the babies treated in the NICU were born before 34 weeks of gestation and weighted less than four pounds.  Registered nurse of 18 years, Christy Reynolds, RN, BSN, said it’s very fulfilling working with such little miracles. “Sometimes our babies just need a little more time to mature before they are ready to go home, other times it’s more serious,” she said. “We strive to give all of our babies their best chance to live and thrive.  It’s a wonderful feeling to see how much joy the parents have when their baby gets to go home.”

River Oaks Hospital Receives Quality Award

 
Left to right: Jessie Henderson, RN, Nursing Supervisor; Amber White, RN, Asst Director Med-Surg; Beth Alliston, Assistant CNO; Shannon Horton, Asst Director Surgical Services; Dennis R. (Denny) Bruns, President and CEO; Bob Newton, VP of Surgical Services; David Smith, MD, Internist specializing in Infectious Disease; Lamar Hester, Core Measures Data Analyst; Sherry Cook, CNO; Hope Holcomb, RN, Asst Director Med-Surg; and Emily Oliver, RN

Dennis R. (Denny) Bruns, President and CEO of River Oaks Hospital, announced that the hospital had received a Quality Award of Excellence for 2011 from Information Quality Healthcare (IQH), a not-for-profit corporation chartered in 1971 in Mississippi that serves as the federally designated Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Medicare.

The recognition is based on guidelines set forth by the Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP), a national quality partnership of professional organizations committed to improving patient safety by reducing postoperative complications through evidence-based medical practice.  River Oaks Hospital is one of eight hospitals in the state participating in the SCIP project for Mississippi.  

The project targets five surgical site infection measures, one adverse cardiac event measure, two venous thromboembolism measures and one heart failure measure.  Studies show that adherence to all of these guidelines will decrease a patient’s chance of complications after surgery. 

When asked about the recognition, Bruns replied, “River Oaks Hospital strives to provide quality care to the community we serve.  We constantly look for new ways to better ourselves by participating in projects such as SCIP.  We’re honored to be recognized by such a reputable quality improvement organization in Mississippi.”

River Oaks Hospital is a 160-bed facility serving Rankin County and the surrounding area.  For more information on River Oaks Hospital, visit www.RiverOaksHosp.com

Crossgates River Oaks Hospital Welcomes Trevor Maurer, MD

 

On August 10, 2011, Trevor Maurer, M.D., has joined Care+ Pediatrics at the Reservoir location with Dr. Andy Rimmer and Dr. Tyree Winters.

“We are extremely excited to have Dr. Maurer at the Care+ Pediatrics at the Reservoir clinic
alongside us each day,” said Dr. Andy Rimmer, fellow pediatrician at the clinic. “With the addition of
Dr. Maurer, not only does that add another extremely qualified pediatrician, but he will also
allow us to expand our patient base and see more patients on a daily basis,” said Rimmer.

Dr. Maurer completed his undergraduate work at the University of Georgia in Athens, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology, graduating Summa Cum Laude and also graduated in the top 5 percent of his class. He then went on to complete his Doctor of Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia, located in Augusta. After completing his medical degree, he completed his residency at the Nationwide Childrenʼs Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Maurer is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as various others.

South Mississippi State Hospital Names Cindy Hyden Employee of the Quarter

 

Cindy Hyden, a social worker at South Mississippi State Hospital, was recently named Employee of the Quarter at the Purvis facility.

Hyden moved to Mississippi from Santa Maria, California.  She currently resides in Petal.
Before coming to work at SMSH in 2004, Hyden worked at River Oak Center for Children in Sacramento, California.

“Cindy shows respect to the patients by protecting their confidentiality and protecting their rights as patients,” said Angela Savage, a fellow social worker at the hospital.

She is also a team player and helps out whenever asked; she is always available to fill in whenever needed.”

Hyden holds a Master’s degree in counseling from California State University – Sacramento and a Bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy from California State University – Chico.  She attended Ernest Righetti High School in Santa Maria.

“I enjoy my coworkers, working with the patients and their families, coordinating services and putting patient histories together,” said Hyden.

In her spare time, she likes to read, garden, work out and cook.

South Mississippi State Hospital (SMSH) is a 50-bed acute care facility in Purvis that offers mental health treatment and services for adults in the southern part of the state. The hospital’s Friends of SMSH organization recognizes an outstanding employee each quarter and provides service pins and incentive-related supplies and activities for hospital staff as well as needed services and events for patients.  Friends of SMSH is a volunteer-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting understanding of mental health and the needs of individuals with mental illness, improving the quality of life for patients, and providing recognition and support for employees.

Dale certified as Licensed Department of Mental Health Administrator

 

Debbie Dale was recently certified as a Licensed Department of Mental Health Administrator with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH). She serves as Staff Development Director at South Mississippi State Hospital (SMSH) in Purvis.  Dale, a Marion County resident, has been employed with SMSH since June 2004.

SMSH is an acute-care, regional psychiatric facility that provides services for adults with mental illness. SMSH serves Lamar, Forrest, Marion, Perry, Greene, Wayne, Jones, Covington, Jefferson Davis, Stone, Pearl River, George, Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties.

Dale graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.  She received her Masters of Education degree from William Carey College in 1996.  She has completed the Basic Supervisory Course, the Certified Public Manager program and the Department of Mental Health FOCUS program.  She has also served as a board member of the Pine Belt Mental Health Association for the last two and a half years.

The Licensed Mental Health Administrator program is a professional credentialing program designed for top-level mental health, intellectual developmental disabilities, or addiction program administrators within the DMH.  Acceptance into the program is through a selection process and requires a master’s degree or higher and completion of the Certified Public Manager and FOCUS programs.

FOCUS is an accelerated leadership program designed for the Mississippi DMH to develop leaders from within.  The overall goal of the program is to have the right people, with the right skills, at the right time. Dale completed the FOCUS program in November 2010.

Prior to her employment at SMSH, Dale taught at West Marion Primary School for eleven years and served on the State Department of Education School Assessment Team for five years.  She also worked for the University of Southern Mississippi as a School Improvement Representative and taught teacher continuing education classes for Mississippi State University at the Meridian Campus and at the University of Southern Mississippi.