News Around the State

Wesley Medical Center Names Ann Dungan Employee of the Year

Wesley Medical Center recently named Ann Dungan as the 2011 Employee of the Year. Dungan is a registered nurse who joined Wesley in May of 1990.

While she has held several positions – from staff nurse to Medical Auditor – in her 21 years at Wesley Medical Center, Dungan’s present role is that of Concurrent Coder. She works as a documentation specialist to help physicians by ensuring that medical documentation accurately reflects the needs of the patient and the care provided. She helped develop Wesley Medical Center’s coding programs and has continued to adapt processes to the evolving regulatory requirements of the medical industry.

“Ann Dungan is a vital part of our coding team,” said Jim Young, Chief Financial Officer for Wesley Medical Center. “She is a world of knowledge for our physicians and case managers. I am proud to have her on our team here at Wesley Medical Center.”

Dungan has been recognized repeatedly by her peers and managers as an exemplary team member, including an Employee of the Month honor earlier this year.

Wesley Medical Center also names Clinical Manager of the Year, Paula Ward, and Non-Clinical Manager of the Year, Helena Lasseter.

Ward, Director of Laboratory Services, has been with Wesley Medical Center since 2005. She is the current President-elect for the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science-MS (ASCLS-MS) and will begin term as President in August 2012. 

“Clearly we are not the only ones to recognize Paula’s accomplishments,” said Travis Sisson, Chief Operating Officer for Wesley Medical Center. “She has been recognized the year by her peers as one of only seven Med Techs in the state with the Omicron Sigma award for service and received the Louisiana / Mississippi Med Tech Presidential Service Award and Member of the Year Award. I’m proud to have her on our team, and I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of this award.”

Lasseter, Director of Workwell, VA Outpatient Services and Behavioral Healthcare, joined Wesley in 2009. She is active in the community and among other pursuits, works tirelessly to raise funds the Alzheimer’s Association.

 “Helena’s positive outlook and calm demeanor is evident in her high level of employee, physician and patient satisfaction,” said Ron Cain, Vice President of Physician Relations. “We are truly fortunate to have her on our team.”

Each year, Wesley names a clinical and non-clinical manager of the year based on the demonstration of extraordinary dedication to their work. Also during this time, one employee is recognized as employee of the year for exemplary service and dedication to their field. Employees are nominated by their supervising directors and the hospital’s senior staff determines winners based on those nominations.

 

Cancer Patient Benevolence Fund Receives $5,000 Donation

Anderson Regional Cancer Center partnered with Lazy Acres Plantation to raise funds for the Cancer Patient Benevolence Fund during October.
 
Lazy Acres Plantation is a 120 acre farm located in Chunky, Mississippi.  The farm offers family-centered entertainment, hayrides, a petting zoo and many other activities.  The main attraction is the Pumpkin Patch, and this year, Lazy Acres went “Pink at the Patch” in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  One dollar from each regular priced admission ticket was donated to the Cancer Patient Benevolence Fund.
 
The Cancer Patient Benevolence Fund is a fund administered by Anderson Regional Cancer Center to help patients with needs not met by insurance.  The money donated to this fund is used to provide medications, prosthesis, wigs, and transportation to patients who could otherwise not afford these things. 
 
In a recent presentation, Lazy Acres Plantation Director, Michael Mays, announced that $5,000 was raised during the month of October.
 
Wayne Herrington, Administrative Director of Anderson Regional Cancer Center, said “We are so thankful that Lazy Acres wanted to partner with us for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Many patient needs will be met because of this donation, and we look forward to continuing this partnership.”

Crossgates River Oaks Hospital Honors Employee of the Quarter Recipients

Crossgates River Oaks Hospital recently honored their most outstanding associates for exemplary job performance in the third quarter of fiscal year 2011. Three top staff were named Associates of the third quarter during a special ceremony held at the hospital. Each winner was awarded an engraved plaque to
commemorate their outstanding achievement.

The following associates were named Associates of the third quarter at Crossgates River Oaks Hospital:

Outstanding Nurse Shelley Marcum, RN (Pictured Left)


Outstanding Department Manager - Mark Cook, Human Resources Director (Pictured Bottom Right)

Outstanding Associate Ray Willis Jr., Imaging Services (Pictured Left)

“We are extremely proud of these three associates here at Crossgates River Oaks Hospital,” said Brandon Downey, Chief Operating Officer at Crossgates. “This award symbolizes the hard work and dedication that each of them have displayed in the respective department, and we at Crossgates River Oaks Hospital are extremely fortunate to have associates such as these working in our facility.”

Associates at Crossgates River Oaks Hospital have the opportunity to become the “Associate of the Quarter” on a number of different criteria. Their performance in the workplace has to be exceptional, they constantly receive positive comments from coworkers and patients and most importantly, they go above and beyond the expectations.
 

Anderson Neurology Center Holds Ribbon Cutting and Open House

Anderson Regional Medical Center recently announced the grand opening of Anderson Neurology Center and the affiliation of Jimmy Wolfe, MD. To celebrate this event, a ribbon cutting and open house was held on November 17.
 
Dr. Wolfe brings his unique expertise to the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke and more. 

Ray Humphreys, President and CEO of Anderson, said, “Dr. Wolfe is a welcome addition to our growing number of specialists.  We are proud to offer neurological care to the residents of East Mississippi/West Alabama.”

 

Neurosurgeon Joins Central Mississippi Medical Center

The leadership of Central Mississippi Medical Center is pleased to welcome Michael C. Molleston, MD, to the hospital’s medical staff. 

As a neurosurgeon with over 25 years of experience, Dr. Molleston is trained to evaluate and treat all forms of spinal problems and injuries. He received special training in pediatric neurosurgery, cerebral aneurysms and spinal instrumentation. 

Board certified in neurological surgery, Dr. Molleston attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned his medical degree. He completed his residency training at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis and was a Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellow at Texas Children’s Hospital at Baylor College of Medicine. 

Dr. Molleston is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and American Medical Association. 

Other accomplishments include serving as staff neurosurgeon for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., and most recently at Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg, where he proudly served as the University of Southern Mississippi’s team neurosurgeon for 17 seasons. Dr. Molleston has also published various works on pediatric neurosurgery and other neuroscience topics. 

“We feel extremely fortunate to have Dr. Molleston join our medical staff,” said Scott Smith, CMMC’s CEO. “Not only does he complement our existing neurosurgeons, but his arrival also supplements our 24/7 neurosurgery care.” 

CMMC names Payne as Director of Surgical Services

William Payne has been named Director of Surgical Services at Central Mississippi Medical Center, a role assumed Oct. 31, said CMMC CEO Scott Smith. Payne, a registered nurse, brings a wealth of healthcare and management experience to the position, Smith said.

"We feel fortunate William has accepted this leadership role at Central Mississippi Medical Center,” said Scott. “He has amassed a well-rounded healthcare background and brings a wealth of experience to our surgical services team. With continuous changes in surgery to consider, he will be a solid leader with an eye on patient safety, patient flow, efficiencies and future advancements."

Payne has established a highly respected surgical management career at healthcare facilities in Kentucky and Indiana. Prior to assuming management roles, he worked as an operating room, intensive coronary care unit and emergency department nurse. He also served 12 years as a critical care nurse at a combat support hospital for the Army Reserves.

He received a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University and an Associate’s degree in nursing from Ivy Tech State College. While receiving his education, he was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Wesley Medical Center Introduces Hospitalist Dr. Marc S. Demyun

Marc S. Demyun, M.D., has accepted a position as Program Director of the newly developed hospitalist program at Wesley Medical Center. 

Dr. Demyun, an Internal Medicine physician, has been with Wesley Medical Center since 2005. He earned his medical degree at the University of Maryland / Ross University, in Baltimore, MD and studied Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, NY. 

The hospitalist program, designed to help provide patients with coordinated treatments and seamless care, will utilize a team of physicians who specialize in the evaluation and treatment of hospitalized patients and work together to provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Dr. Demyun is joined by full-time hospitalist Dr. James Glisson. The two will care for hospitalized patients at Wesley Medical Center from 7:00am - 7:00pm daily, with the help of full-time Nurse Practitioner Marti Jordan. Dr. Gardner Fletcher, Dr. Jerry Hyer, and Dr. Jeffrey Morris, Dr. Kurt Bruckmeier and Dr. Sivarama Kotikalapudi will ensure continued coverage from 7:00pm – 7:00am.  

Forrest General Hospital Recognized for Providing Outstanding Cardiovascular Experience For Third Consecutive Year

Physicians, staff and administrators attended a celebration on Monday, recognizing Forrest General’s third consecutive year of recognition by J.D. Power and Associates.

Forrest General Hospital has been recognized for service excellence for a third consecutive year under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital Program. This distinction acknowledges a strong commitment by Forrest General Hospital to provide “An Outstanding Cardiovascular Experience.”

“Achieving this distinction demonstrates Forrest General’s success in achieving service excellence through patient care,” according to J.D. Power and Associates. “Forrest General has created a highly patient-focused culture that stresses the importance of meeting patient needs at every touch point. This speaks volumes about their leadership, nurses, doctors and employees.”

The service excellence distinction was determined by surveying recently discharged patients about their perceptions of their hospital visit and comparing the results to the national benchmarks established in the annual J.D. Power and Associates National Hospital Service Performance StudySM.

The telephone-based research conducted among Forrest General Hospital patients focuses on the five key drivers of patient satisfaction with their overall inpatient experience. These drivers, which were identified in the national study, are speed and efficiency; dignity and respect; comfort; information and communication; and emotional support.

Forrest General Hospital exceeds the national benchmark study score for cardiovascular patient satisfaction and performs particularly well, compared with the national study, in providing patients with dignity and respect. The hospital receives particularly high ratings for the courtesy of doctors and discharge process personnel.

The hospital also performs well in providing patients with emotional support, with notably high ratings for the treatment of family and friends and confidence and trust in the doctor’s skill level.

Seventy-seven percent of Forrest General Hospital patients surveyed say they “definitely will” return to the facility if needed, and 77 percent also say they would recommend the facility to friends and family.

“Receiving this recognition from J.D. Power and Associates for the third consecutive year is a great accomplishment for our Heart and Vascular Services staff and physicians, and for all of our employees who have a hand in caring for cardiovascular patients across our organization,” said Evan Dillard, Forrest General president and CEO. “Forrest General is committed to providing a positive patient experience from the time a patient comes to our facility to the time they go home. The fact that this recognition comes from patient feedback about our services is a testament to that commitment to C.A.R.E., and I congratulate our staff on this accomplishment.”

Nongovernmental, acute-care hospitals throughout the nation are eligible for the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital recognition for inpatient, maternity, cardiovascular, emergency and outpatient services. Distinction is valid for one year, after which time the hospital may reapply for this recognition.

Pine Grove Psychology Internship Reaccredited

The Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services’ Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology was recently reaccredited to 2018 by the American Psychological Association (APA).  Two APA surveyors visited Psychology Services over a period of several days and carefully scrutinized the standards and processes of the internship, which is under the direction of Dr. Theresa Ratti. The APA report complimented the quality of the internship, resulting in receipt of a seven-year re-accreditation, which is the longest period of re-accreditation possible.  In addition, the psychology internship, formerly a joint enterprise with two other local mental health service providers, is now completely managed by Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services. 

“We are pleased by the positive response of the APA, the long period of re-accreditation, and the opportunity to continue to educate young psychologists,” said Forrest General Chief Behavioral Health Services officer Debbie Sanford. “This internship has been accredited since 1999 and has trained more than 40 interns in the past 15 years – four of which are currently members of the Pine Grove professional psychology staff.”

Mississippi State Hospital honors employees for years of service

Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) recently honored employees with November 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.

Mississippi State Hospital November service award recipients include: (first row, l to r) Wilhelmina Washington of Pearl, 5 years; Latoya Russell of Jackson, 5 years; (second row, l to r) Jill Middleton of Pearl, 5 years; and Titella Ervin of Crystal Springs, 10 years.