News Around the State

Meet RIO!: New Robotic Arm System at FGH Offers Treatment Option for Osteoarthritis

More than 15 million Americans suffer with painful osteoarthritis of the knee, which often affects their quality of life. In fact, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Fortunately, many of those suffering from this painful condition in the Pine Belt can now benefit from a new treatment option that increases their chances of returning to an active lifestyle – the RIO Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System at Forrest General Hospital.

The RIO system brings a new treatment option to Forrest General called MAKOplasty®, a Partial Knee Resurfacing procedure designed to relieve the pain caused by osteoarthritis. The most common surgical treatment for the disease is a total knee replacement, where the natural knee is removed and replaced with an artificial implant. However, this is not always the best option for patients with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis that has not affected their entire knee. For those patients, MAKOplasty® Partial Knee Resurfacing may be the more appropriate solution. “We are pleased to bring this technology to the Pine Belt area,” said Southern Bone and Joint board-certified orthopedic surgeon James Sikes, M.D.

“We want to offer this minimally invasive procedure with precision to our patients with knee pain who do not need total knee replacement.” 

MAKOplasty® offers many benefits over traditional total knee replacement. It has been shown to improve surgical results and shorten hospital stays, thanks to the less-invasive surgical procedure that uses smaller incisions, reduces blood loss and leaves less scarring. Dr. Elliott Nipper, board certified, fellowship trained arthritic joint replacement orthopaedic surgeon at Southern Bone and Joint, said MAKOplasty® removes less bone from the joint because it is resurfacing. “There is a smaller incision than total knee replacement,” said Nipper, “and the robotic arm provides consistent precision.” Dr. Michael Stonnington, board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Southern Bone and Joint, added that the new procedure provides a quicker healing time. “This technologically-advanced procedure is ideal for patients who have early stages of osteoarthritis or localized arthritis in the knee. However, not everyone is a candidate,” said Stonnington. This new procedure is proven to give patients more natural knee function after surgery, helping them get back to an active lifestyle. In many cases, patients are allowed to walk soon after surgery, drive a car in the first few weeks and return to normal daily activities shortly thereafter.

“Makoplasty is an innovative bone sparing reconstructive procedure performed with robotic assistance,” said Hattiesburg Clinic board-certified orthopedic surgeon Raymond Whitehead, M.D. “This will translate into a shortened hospital stay and a faster functional recovery for selected patients who meet the operative criteria. I am very excited to have the opportunity to offer this emerging technology to my patients.”

 

UMHC Head, Neck Cancer Surgeons Use Robotic Surgery to Treat Tumors

Patients in the early stages of select head and neck cancers have a less-invasive option for surgery through University of Mississippi Health Care.

Two surgeons in the Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences have been certified to use transoral robotic surgery (TORS) to treat a variety of benign and select malignant tumors of the mouth, voice box, tonsil, tongue and other parts of the throat. Dr. Gina Jefferson and Dr. Kristen Otto, both assistant professors of otolaryngology, have completed the certification process through M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. They use the only FDA-approved robotic surgical system for TORS, the da Vinci Surgical System.

In many cases, surgery offers the greatest chance of survival; however, traditional surgical methods often require an almost ear-to-ear incision across the throat or splitting the jaw, resulting in speech and swallowing complications for patients.

The minimally invasive approach, which accesses the surgical site through the mouth, has been shown to improve long-term swallowing function and to reduce risk of airway obstruction while speeding up the recovery time. 

“It improves access to the tumor and the ability to reconstruct the defect,” Jefferson said. “We can eliminate the need for a tracheotomy, and patients can usually start an oral diet shortly after surgery.”
Also, this minimally invasive approach to certain head and neck tumors has shortened hospitalizations from 7-10 days to 3-4 days.

William Cole, a 61-year-old retiree, was able to talk about his experience just days after Jefferson removed cancerous tissue from his throat using robotic surgery. His primary care physician had referred him to the G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center in December for a medical problem that Cole believed was related to his allergies.

“They checked my throat and saw a white substance,” Cole said. “Turned out it was malignant. Dr. Jefferson happened to be working in the VA that day, and she came to see me.

“God moves in mysterious ways. Needless to say, they forgot about my allergies.”Cole said he had surgery Dec. 27 and was able to go home by New Year’s Eve.
Jefferson said the interest in less-invasive surgical options for patients grew out of a 1990 larynx study in the VA hospitals.

“They looked at maintaining the function of the organ with advanced disease and how to keep it intact while eliminating the cancer with induction chemotherapy and radiation,” she said. “In some cases, however, there was still a need to completely remove the voice box and create a permanent hole, or stoma, in the neck.”

In 2009, the FDA approved the minimally invasive surgical approach developed by head and neck surgeons at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Jefferson said the procedure isn’t recommended in all early stage cancers because each patient’s anatomy is unique.  

More than 28,000 Americans were diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2004, according to the American Cancer Society. Jefferson said about 5 percent of all cancers are head and neck malignancies; however, this type of cancer is common in Mississippi’s population because of the heightened use of smokeless tobacco and cigarettes. 

Head and neck tumor treatments often involve a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The robotic surgery could potentially eliminate or reduce radiation and chemotherapy, Jefferson said.

She also said the advantage of robotic surgery is that it provides a three-dimensional view of the surgical area, which allows for more precise dissection, and 540-degree movement.

Jefferson said it’s important for primary care physicians to recognize the symptoms of patients with head and neck cancer to catch the disease as early as possible. If the following symptoms are detected, an adult patient should be evaluated by a head and neck cancer specialist: a neck mass lasting for more than two weeks, hoarseness for more than two weeks, one-sided ear or throat pain, a lesion of the mouth that doesn’t heal with antibiotics, unintentional weight loss and coughing of blood.

“If detected early enough, the quality of life for a patient can be greatly improved,” Jefferson said.

 

UMMC Emergency Services Director Earns Distinguised Nurse Recognition

Rankin County native Jonathan Wilson, director of emergency services at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, is one of three nurse leaders nationally to earn distinguished recognition from the Emergency Nurses Association.

To qualify for the award, nominees must make significant contributions to their emergency departments in various areas, such as quality patient care, education, community service and operational effectiveness. The award also recognizes and celebrates nurses and physicians with exemplary emergency care collaborative behavior. 

Wilson will join the other award winners when they are honored at the ENA State and Chapter Leaders Conference in New Orleans on Thursday, Feb. 23.  He said he was humbled by the recognition.

“It was a tremendous honor to be nominated both personally and professionally by the institution and to be selected as the few in the nation to receive it,” said Wilson. “I believe it is more of a team approach and reflects greatly on the excellent management and staff we have here at UMMC.” 

A Mississippi native, Wilson, 35, currently lives in Jackson. He graduated from the UMMC School of Nursing in 1999 and recently finished his Master’s Degree in Nursing in 2011 at the Medical Center. He was a charge nurse, shift supervisor and interim nurse manager before becoming the director of emergency services. 

“These awardees demonstrate this collaborative spirit while implementing and improving operational and clinical standards. Patients in these communities receive high degrees of satisfaction due to the creative and innovative strategies these awardees have implemented. Congratulations to all,” said Jim Hoelz, chief nurse executive/managing partner executive of Blue Jay Consulting, who partnered with ENA on the award.

Founded in 1970, the ENA is the only professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing and emergency care through advocacy.

 

SRHS Employees of the Month Honored

Singing River Health System has honored Morris Simmons, Virginia “Lou” Hughes, and Theresa Westerdahl as the Employees of the Month for December. 

Simmons, psychiatric technician, Behavioral Health Services, has been honored at Singing River Hospital.

Simmons was born and raised in Moss Point and attended Moss Point High School. He began working for SRHS Environmental Services in January 1978 and later transferred to Behavioral Health Services.
Simmons currently lives in Pascagoula. He has two children.  In his free time, he enjoys fishing, walking, and spending time with family.

Simmons enjoys working for SRHS because he’s able to help improve a patient’s stay in the hospital.  “Patients come first.”

Hughes, patient access representative, Patient Access, has been honored at Ocean Springs Hospital.

Hughes was born and raised in Escatawpa. She attended Moss Point High School and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where she earned her associates degree in applied science and human services. She began working for SRHS in December 2005 in her current department.  

Hughes currently lives in Big Point and is married to Jimmy Hughes, who works for Cable One as a maintenance technician. They have one child. Hughes enjoys attending church, volunteering as a Mother Advisor for International Order of Rainbow for Girls, and doing craft work.   

Hughes enjoys working for SRHS because of the family atmosphere.  “I try to go above and beyond the call of duty for everyone.”

Westerdahl, contact center operator, SRHS Clinics Contact Center, has been honored for Outlying Facilities.  

Westerdahl was born in Moss Point and attended Moss Point High School. She began working for SRHS as a receptionist at the Grand Bay Clinic in July 2010 and then transferred to the contact center.
Westerdahl currently lives in Moss Point and is married to Daniel Westerdahl.  They have one child.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, shopping, and reading. 

Westerdahl enjoys working for SRHS because she’s able to make a difference from the first point of contact with a patient.  “I want to treat the patient with the same respect, care, and concern that I would want extended to my own family.”

 

Dr. Christy Mnzava Joins Immediate Care Family Clinic

Rush Health Systems recently announced that Christy Mnzava, DO, has joined the family practice at Immediate Care Family Clinic, a rural health clinic of The Specialty Hospital of Meridian.

Dr. Mnzava received her doctorate of osteopathic medicine from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, Ohio and completed her residency in Family Medicine at St. John’s West Shore Hospital in Westlake, Ohio.   

Danna Named Critical Care Services Nurse Manager at CMMC

Kim Danna, RN, has been named nurse manager of Critical Care Services at Central Mississippi Medical Center. Danna brings 30 years of progressive nursing and leadership experience to the position, including 10 years as an associate of CMMC.      

During her career, Danna has obtained experience in almost every area of hospital operations, including surgery, telemetry and med/surg.      

“Kim brings extensive nursing skills, leadership experience and enthusiasm for ensuring Central Mississippi Medical Center excels at providing quality care and service to our patients in this vital area,” said Lorie Ramsey, CMMC’s chief nursing officer. “She is a proven leader who will work closely with our medical staff to provide professional nursing care and personal patient service.”     

Danna earned an associate degree in nursing from Clemson University. She is currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program to fast-track into a master’s program with Kaplan University ICD-10 on their financial and operational performance. 

Davis Walton Receives ACHE Regent’s Award

Davis Walton, FACHE, Administrator, Singing River Hospital / Sr. VP Facilities & Support, Singing River Health System, Pascagoula, MS has received the American College of Healthcare Executives Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award for 2011.

The award was bestowed on Walton by the American College of Healthcare Executives for the State of Mississippi by Fred B. Hood, FACHE, Regent for Mississippi.  The Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award recognizes ACHE affiliates who are experienced in the field and have made significant contributions to the advancement of healthcare management excellence and the achievement of ACHE’s goals.

Affiliates are evaluated on leadership ability, innovative and creative management, executive capability in developing their own organization and promoting its growth and stature in the community, contributions to the development of others in the healthcare profession, leadership in local, state or provincial hospital and health association activities, participation in civic/community activities and projects, participation in ACHE activities, and interest in assisting ACHE in achieving its objectives.
Walton has served as Administrator of Singing River Hospital since 2009.  Prior to this, he served as Senior Associate Administrator of Singing River Hospital.  At various times during his career, Walton has been actively engaged with the Mississippi Hospital Association, the Healthcare Financial management Association, and a Healthcare Advisory Committee with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.  He has also served in leadership positions in numerous civic and community affairs, including The United Way, Rotary Club, American Heart Association,  and the March of Dimes.

Walton is board certified in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, demonstrating a commitment to professional excellence.  

Walton received his Bachelor of Science Degree and his Master of Business Administration Degree from Mississippi State University.

 

The Diabetes Center at Wesley Medical Center Earns AADE Diabetes Education Program Accreditation

The Diabetes Center at Wesley Medical Center was recently named an accredited diabetes education program by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE). This will allow residents in and around Hattiesburg increased access to critical diabetes education services.

“For people diagnosed with diabetes, one of the greatest challenges is learning how to manage their disease,” said Hannah Thompson, Diabetes Center Coordinator. “We’re working to make sure they have a source for good information about how to do that.”

Diabetes education is a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes gain the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions. It is provided by diabetes educators.

 “Trends show that diabetes education is moving out of the hospital and into the community, so AADE’s accreditation program was created, in part, to encourage diabetes education where the patient is seeking care,” said Leslie E. Kolb, RN, BSN, MBA, Program Director, Diabetes Education Accreditation Program.  “The Diabetes Center at Wesley Medical Center is exactly the type of program we envisioned when we set up our accreditation program in 2009.”

The Diabetes Center has also partnered with Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), Dr. Lara Otaigbe to give participants practical diabetes management options they may not have elsewhere. Dr. Otaigbe is also an alumni of the Johnson and Johnson Diabetes Institute, trained in insulin pump management.

 “When armed with the right tools, diabetes is very manageable for most patients,” said Dr. Otaigbe. “I can give patients the knowledge they need to stay in control.” 

 The Diabetes Center, located at the Institute for Wellness and Sports Medicine on the Wesley campus, will offer diabetes education classes beginning January 23.  To enroll in education classes, call 601-268-8095. 

 

Hollingsworth, Simmons named Marketing Professionals of the Year

Julie Hollingsworth, the director of marketing at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto, was recently named the Senior Marketing Professional of the Year for 2011 by the Mississippi Hospital Association's Society for Health Care Marketing & Public Relations.

Hollingsworth started with Baptist Memorial Health Care nine years ago as a Marketing Coordinator in 2002. In 2006, she advanced to Marketing Manager overseeing the five Baptist Mississippi hospitals and implementation of initiatives throughout the 14 hospital system. Shortly after BMH-DeSoto’s major tower expansion in 2006, she oversaw campaigns that contributed to the improvement of patient satisfaction and community perception by more than 30 percent, according to outside firm surveys while competitors stayed relatively flat or declined.  She then transferred to Baptist DeSoto as their Marketing Director. 

Hollingsworth is a native of Cleveland, Mississippi. She graduated summa cum laude from Delta State University receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a degree in design and continues advancing her education in health care earning 44 advertising and marketing-related regional and national awards.

Donna Simmons, the public relations director at South Mississippi State Hospital, was named the Junior Marketing Professional of the Year. 

Simmons earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication and Journalism with an emphasis in public relations from the University of Southern Mississippi and an Associate degree in Marketing and Management Technology from Jones County Junior College.  Simmons completed the Mississippi State Personnel Board’s Basic Supervisory Certification course in 2008.

She participates in the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s Think Again/Shatter the Silence mental health education campaign and is a member of the Health Care Marketing and Public Relations Society and the Society for Hospital Auxiliaries & Volunteer Services of the Mississippi Hospital Association, the Area Development Partnership, the Pine Belt Chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi and Clear Branch Baptist Church in Purvis.

The awards are given each year to an outstanding professional in the field of health care marketing and public relations. It is based on accomplishments and years of experience in the field, focusing on professionalism, creativity, contributions to the organizations and communities they have served, as well as continued dedication to learning and furthering the field of marketing and public relations.

 

 

Mississippi State Hospital honors employees for years of service

Mississippi State Hospital January service award recipients include: (first row, l to r) Deborah Burton of Carthage, 5 years;  Joyce Brown of Brandon, 1 year;  Crystal Green of Jackson, 5 years;  Gladys McKenzie of Clinton, 20 years;  Shelly Clayburn , 5 years; (second row, l to r)  Sharla Karabelen of Brandon, 1 year;  Kristin Jackson of Jackson, 1 year;  Jeanette Funchess of Florence, 20 years;  Billy Ray Thompson of Morton, 5 years;  Donna Boykin of Forest, 25 years;  Charlie Hardy of Jackson, 30 years; (third row, l to r)  Matthew Taylor of Jackson, 1 year;  James Triplett of Jackson, 20 years;  Janice Jackson of Jackson, 20 years; and Victor Heard of Silver City, 5 years. 

Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) recently honored employees with January anniversary dates for their years of service to the hospital.

Charlie Hardy of Jackson was recognized for providing 30 years of service. Hardy works in the Community Services Division of the hospital, where he is Director of Opportunity House, the hospital’s psychosocial rehabilitation program.  Hardy has a degree from Jackson State University and has also studied at Dillard University in New Orleans and California State College. 

 

Donna Boykin of Forest was recognized for providing 25 years of service.  Boykin is the Administrative Assistant to MSH Director James G. Chastain.  She attended East Central Community College, is a graduate of the Mississippi State Personnel Board’s Administrative Support Certification Program and is currently enrolled in the Executive Support Certification Program. 

 

Several MSH staff members were recognized for providing 20 years of service to the hospital. 

Gladys McKenzie of Clinton is an Active Treatment Technician in the hospital’s Inpatient Services Division.  

James Triplett of Jackson works in Environmental Services at Whitfield Medical/Surgical Hospital on the MSH campus.  

Janice Jackson of Jackson is a nurse manager at Whitfield Medical/Surgical Hospital.  

Jeanette Funchess of Florence works in the client care support area of Jaquith Nursing Home, located on the MSH campus.  

Service Awards are given to employees in the month of their date of hire, beginning with one year, followed by every fifth anniversary year. Employees receive a Certificate of Appreciation and a Service Award Pin. The program is sponsored by Friends of Mississippi State Hospital, Inc.