News Around the State

CMMC gains state’s approval for expansion of psychiatric unit

The Mississippi Department of Health granted a Certificate of Need (CON) on March 29 for the addition of 18 new psychiatric beds at Central Mississippi Medical Center (CMMC). “This decision essentially grants permission for the hospital to enlarge its current psychiatric department in order to meet the needs of a growing base of patients seeking these vital services,” said Charlotte W. Dupré, Chief Executive Officer of CMMC.      

CMMC applied for the CON from the Department of Health to add 18 licensed psychiatric beds, which will increase the number of available beds to 47. The hospital presently has 20 male and 9 female psychiatric beds. The additional beds will allow the hospital to flex up and down the male and female beds, based on the current census and need.     

CMMC plans to move the current beds for geriatric patients in need of unique mental health service, such as depression, and relocate them to another floor, Dupré said.  When this move occurs, we will increase our capacity for our geripysch patient population from 11 beds to 20 beds.     

“The approval of the CON will allow for enhancement of our existing programs and most importantly, increase Mississippians’ access to mental health services,” said Dupré.  “In the new medically advanced setting, our physicians, staff and family members will work together to help our patients regain their ability to enjoy an active, productive life.”

 

MedWorks Becomes First Clinic on Coast to Receive DATIA Accreditation

Singing River Health System’s MedWorks has been named an Accredited Collection Facility by the Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA). 

As an Accredited Collection Facility, MedWorks is dedicated to providing its clients with superior collection services, ensuring the integrity of the specimen and privacy of the donor.  MedWorks has successfully met the requirements of the Accredited Collection Facility Program, administered by DATIA, which was created by quality minded leaders in the drug and alcohol testing industry interested in raising the level of accuracy in urine specimen collections. 

This rigorous certification program requires experience in performing specimen collections, training of collection personnel to become proficient in urine specimen collections for drug testing in the work place, as well as a comprehensive examination to test the proficiency level of the individual collector.

By employing Certified Professional Collectors (CPC) and Certified Professional Collector Trainers (CPCT), MedWorks can ensure its clients that specimen collections are performed in a professional and consistent manner, maintaining confidentiality for the donor and security, integrity and control of the specimen.

The Accredited Collection Facility Program involves upholding the highest professional standards in two main areas: the collection facility and its operation and the collection facility’s personnel.  To obtain accredited status, collection facilities are required to adhere to strict standards in areas such as regulatory compliance, company service standards, specimen handling, operational practices, business ethics and facility equipment.

Dr. Tom Pessoney, MedWorks Medical Director, said “This level of accreditation proves to our clients that Singing River Health System, MedWorks and its personnel have the skills and knowledge needed to provide drug and alcohol testing services in their best interest in accordance with all applicable regulations.”

Andrea Cambre, Director of Occupational and Pulmonary Medicine at Singing River Health System, added “When we were developing the services MedWorks would offer, we promised our clients that we would remain 100 percent focused on Occupational Medicine.  This DATIA accreditation status demonstrates our success in meeting nationally accepted standards for the drug and alcohol testing industry.”

 

UMMC Professor Co-chairs National Medicaid/CHIP Advisory Group

Dr. James Martin, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, has been named co-chair of the National Advisory Workgroup to Improve Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Medicaid/CHIP recipients.

The CMS, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, recently appointed Martin and Dr. Mary Applegate, a pediatrician and the Ohio Medicaid medical director, to lead the group, which will include up to 25 individuals representing state Medicaid programs, providers, managed care plans, and other stakeholders. The first group meeting is scheduled for June in Washington, D.C.   

The national advisory group will guide and support states and their partners as they enhance existing efforts or embark on new activities to provide better care, improve birth outcomes, and reduce the cost of care for mothers and infants covered by Medicaid and/or CHIP. It is expected to operate for about two years. 

Martin said it was an honor to have been asked to serve as co-chair of a group tasked with addressing national issues related to improving maternal and infant health.

“It gives me an opportunity to bring to the table both state and national perspectives as an experienced ob-gyn specialist and maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist,” he said.

Last year, Martin began his third and final year as president of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a 56,000-member organization that is the leading group of physicians providing health care for women. 

A member of the UMMC faculty for 31 years, Martin is the author of more than 500 scientific publications and communications, many of which address issues related to preeclampsia-eclampsia and atypical forms of this disease such as HELLP syndrome. The Preeclampsia Foundation presented Martin with its Hope Award in 2009 for lifetime achievement in preeclampsia research. 

He is a fellow of both the American Heart Association and the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society. He is a past president of the North American Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. 

 

Central Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Center Receives Accreditation

The Commission on Cancer (COC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) has granted three-year accreditation with Commendation to the network cancer program at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.     

This accreditation is received following an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the facility demonstrates a Commendation level of compliance with one or more standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program (cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach and quality improvement).       

In addition, a facility receives a compliance rating for all other standards, said Steve Zachow, MD, medical director of the Gamma Knife Center and radiation therapy department at CMMC, who added the award illustrates the hospital’s commitment to the vital area of cancer care.      

"This national recognition is truly a testament to the dedication and commitment of Central Mississippi Medical Center’s talented multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, clinicians and staff who provide excellence every day in cancer care for our patients,” Zachow said. “Additionally, this award demonstrates our commitment to providing progressive, patient-centered cancer care to our community.”      

Patients who receive care at a COC-accredited facility have access to:

• Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment
• A multispecialty, team approach to coordinate the most appropriate treatment options
• Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options
• Access to cancer-related information, education and support
• A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up
• Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care and
• Quality care close to home.

And, through a partnership with the American Cancer Society, the COC provides the public with information on the resources, services and cancer treatment experience for each COC-accredited cancer program through their web site www.cancer.org or their information center at 1-800-ACS-2345.

 

UMMC Offers Breakthrough Drug to Better Diagnose Parkinson's Disease

Dr. Vani Vijayakumar and the DaTscan machine

 University of Mississippi Medical Center now offers a procedure that helps physicians better diagnose Parkinson’s disease.

The Medical Center is one of two places in the state to offer DaTscan, a new imaging radiopharmaceutical drug recently approved by the FDA. Dr. Vani Vijayakumar, professor of radiology and chief of the Division of Nuclear Medicine, said DaTscan is a significant breakthrough for patients suffering from Parkinsonian symptoms because it helps physicians to make a correct diagnosis and to prescribe an appropriate course of treatment.

“A lot of patients have tremor but not all of them have Parkinson’s disease. DaTscan can help physicians know what to do,” she said.

Madison resident Gan Nelson's case illustrates the benefit of the procedure. She had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006, but her symptoms, more than five years later, only exhibited on her left side. The tremor and rigidity often associated with Parkinson’s had not shifted across her body.

“I was doubtful it was Parkinson’s disease because after a year, it’s usually bilateral,” said Dr.Alexander Auchus, UMMC professor and McCarty chair of neurology, who examined Nelson.

Vijayakumar said DaTscan helps a physician determine if certain symptoms are related to an essential tremor or Parkinsonian syndrome, such as Parkinson’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or multiple-system atrophy.

In Nelson’s case, the procedure answered Auchus’ question of proper diagnosis. A brain image confirmed that the levels of dopamine, a chemical that controls movement, were abnormal. Nelson had Parkinson’s disease, just an atypical presentation of the illness.

“It was very helpful in convincing me where to go when I doubted the diagnosis,” Auchus said. “That empowered me and the patient to change therapies.”

Nelson said the new drug therapy has helped manage her disease.

“I’ve gotten rid of the stiffness. The main thing for me is it got me on the right medications. I’m really not having problems with it,” she said.

Vijayakumar said before DaTscan, diagnosing Parkinson’s disease wasn’t so clear cut. The process involved physicians using their experience and best judgment based on symptoms.
DaTscan is injected into the bloodstream to help the doctor assess the level of a dopamine.

Parkinsonian syndromes occur when the brain is not getting enough of the dopamine it needs to perform certain functions. This affects the ability of the brain to control movement and other muscle functions.
Brain SPECT imaging is performed three to six hours after intravenous injection of DaTscan, which takes about 30 minutes.

“It was very simple,” Nelson said. “It helped us rule out everything except the Parkinson’s disease.”
Sensitivity reactions (such as rash or itching) have been reported after DaTscan administration. In clinical trials, the most common side effects were headache, nausea, dry mouth or dizziness.

 

Natchez Regional Medical Center Announces Chief Of Staff

Dr. Scott Wolfe was elected as Chief of the Medical Staff during recent medical staff elections for Natchez Regional Medical Center. As chief of staff, Dr. Wolfe was selected by his peers to serve as their primary liaison to the hospital's administration, Board of Trustees and the community. In his role as chief of staff, Dr. Wolfe will also provide direction and oversee medical staff issues related to quality of care. He will serve two years in this position.

"Dr. Wolfe is a wonderful choice for this very important position, and the hospital looks forward to working with him in this capacity,” said Bill Heburn, CEO of Natchez Regional. "Dr. Wolfe succeeds Dr. John O'Brien, who did a great job, and will now move into the past chief of staff role,” added Heburn.

According to Dr. Wolfe, "I am pleased to have been selected by my peers as the chief of staff and honored with the confidence they have placed in me. I look forward to working with the hospital and my peers in this new role.”

Dr. Wolfe is in Family Medicine practice at Family Medical Associates of Natchez, PLLC. He has practiced medicine in Natchez since 2003. He is a member of the American Medical Association; American Academy of Family Practice; Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and the Homochitto Valley Medical Society. He is also affiliated with Alcorn State University as an Associate Professor and the University Medical Center as a Clinical Professor.

 

High school senior embodies the spirit of Methodist Rehabilitation Center’s Walk & Roll event

Michael Shelby of Mendenhall is assisted by his physical therapist Ann Howard on Methodist Rehab’s weight-supporting treadmill system in this photo from March 2011.

By Carey Miller
Health and Research News Service

Michael Shelby of Mendenhall made a promise to his caregivers when he came to Methodist Rehabilitation Center after suffering a broken neck on Feb. 9, 2011.

“I was told after I got out of surgery that I would never ever walk again—I would never move again, probably,” Shelby said. 

But he came to Methodist intent to “prove everybody wrong.”

“I said I’m going to do something you’ve never seen before,” he said.  “I told them I was going to walk out of there.”

And despite his initial diagnosis, the now 17-year-old high school senior made good on his promise with a miraculous recovery after a month-long stay at Methodist Rehab.

“Sure enough, the day I got discharged—it was hard and my walking wasn’t good—but I got to walk out of there,” Shelby said.

Now Shelby wants to give back to the center by participating in the Walk & Roll for Research, a fundraiser event to be hosted by MRC’s Wilson Research Foundation on March 31.

“This will be our third annual Walk & Roll, and we expect a great turnout,” said Chris Blount, director of the foundation.  

Shelby will not only walk in the event to raise pledge money to help the foundation reach its goal of $50,000, but he’s also dedicated his senior project at Mendenhall High School to it.

“When I found out I had to do a senior project, I knew I wanted to do it on physical therapy,” Shelby said. “And I knew it had to be with Methodist, because I had a great experience there. I know a lot of the people, I know how they work, and it’s a great facility.”

Shelby asked his physical therapist Ann Howard to serve as his mentor for the project.

“I was talking to Ann about needing a tangible product for my project to raise money,” Shelby said. “She told me about the Walk & Roll. I thought that would be a lot cooler, to be able to participate and help out.”

Participants can support the Walk & Roll in one of two ways, by either sponsoring a fundraiser with a secure, tax-deductible gift, or by becoming a fundraiser and seeking sponsorships.  

“Registration is easy at www.wilsonfoundation.org, and we encourage everyone who has ever been touched by Methodist Rehab Center to be a part of this event,” Blount said.

The event is for walkers and rollers (those in wheelchairs) and will be held at the center’s east campus in Flowood off Layfair Drive, utilizing the Mirror Lake paved walking trail.   “Proceeds will benefit our wonderful research program that has published more than 200 peer-reviewed studies and helped countless patients overcome a disabling illness or injury,” Blount said. 

The Walk & Roll, Blount explained, “celebrates abilities recovered by past and present Methodist Rehab patients.” 

And though he’s just one of Methodist’s success stories, Shelby’s incredible recovery is certainly worthy of celebration. 

“I am considered now to be back at about 90 percent,” Shelby said. “When I went up to Methodist over spring break I talked to Dr. Dobrivoje Stokic (MRC’s administrative director for research), and he was like, in all the years he’s been working he’s never seen anybody recover the way that I have.”

 

Natchez Regional Medical Center Announces New Nurse Leadership In the Women's Center

Barbara Willis, Chief Nursing Officer, along with CEO Bill Heburn, is pleased to announce the addition of Judy Sharp to the hospital's nurse management team. In her role as the Nurse Manager for The Women's Center, Judy will coordinate clinical and administrative activities on the third floor to provide high-quality care. She is responsible for ensuring safe, effective and appropriate patient care throughout the Center, and she will manage the department's nurses and nursing support staff. 

According to Willis, "Judy's outgoing personality, combined with her excellent record of clinical skills and needed certifications for this specialized area, made her the ideal choice for this position.” As the Nurse Manager for The Women's Center, Judy's responsibilities include Labor, Delivery, Nursery and Postpartum, as well as women placed on the unit recovering from surgical procedures.

Judy has over 34 years of nursing experience and has a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and Nursing. "I am thrilled to be in this beautiful city and look forward to getting to know my employees, our patients and our community,” said Judy.

New endodondist joins Baptist Golden Triangle medical staff

Callee Cosby, DDS, has joined the staff at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. Cosby began her duties as an endodontist in February. Her practice, Cosby Endodontics, is located at 1277 Hwy. 45 North in Columbus.     

Originally from Columbus, she is a graduate of Millsaps College in Jackson where she received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Cosby is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis, and she completed her residency in endodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.     

She is a member of the American Association of Endodontics and the national and local affiliates of the American Dental Association.     

Cosby has received numerous professional and scholastic awards and recognitions including being named an American Association of Endodontists (AAE) DentSply Oral Research Presentation Top 10 winner in 2011 and receiving the AAE Endodontic Award from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 2009.  She was also selected vice president of the American Chemical Society; and named a Mississippi Eminent Scholar and a Millsaps Second Century Scholar. 

Cosby has participated in extensive fund raising efforts for St. Jude Cancer Research, the Special Olympics and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.    

“We are extremely proud to have Dr. Cosby join our medical staff,’ said Baptist Golden Triangle Administrator and CEO Paul Cade. “We are always pleased when young physicians from this area choose to return to their home town to open their practice,” Cade said. “It is good for the hospital, and it is even better for the residents of the community,” he added.       

 

 

Wesley Medical Center Laboratory Services Awarded Accreditation from The Joint Commission

Wesley Medical Center, in Hattiesburg, has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for laboratory accreditation. The accreditation award recognizes Wesley’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards. Wesley Medical Center Laboratory Services underwent a rigorous unannounced on-site survey in which a team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated the laboratory for compliance with standards of care that directly affect the quality and safety of diagnostic services and patient care. 

"In achieving Joint Commission accreditation, Wesley Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients," says Jennifer Rhamy, M.B.A., M.A., M.T. (ASCP) SBB, HP, Executive Director, Laboratory Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. “Accreditation is a voluntary process and I commend Wesley Medical Center for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

The Joint Commission’s laboratory standards address processes that follow laboratory specimens from the doctor’s order into the laboratory from specimen collection then back to the patient through result reporting, focusing on the provision of high quality, safe laboratory services integrated with patient care. These standards highlight the essential nature of laboratory services on the actual care and service delivery processes that contribute to and support the overall health care delivery system.

"With Joint Commission accreditation, we are making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down,” says Mike Neuendorf, CEO for Wesley Medical Center.  “Pairing Joint Commission laboratory accreditation with our recognition as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures is an important step to maintaining excellence in the care we provide.”