News Around the State

Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center Opens New Women’s Center

Mother’s Day weekend had special significance for the family of caregivers at Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center as they hosted special events to mark the opening of the much-anticipated new Women’s Center. The $18.5 million dollar project will include 7 Labor and Delivery Rooms, 2 bed observation bays, 13 patient rooms, one suite equipped with state-of-the art technology to perform C-Sections, outpatient diagnostics (including digital mammography, a stereo-tactic breast biopsy suite and a new bone density diagnostic unit), a new neonatal intensive care unit, a new, separate entrance and waiting room to the ER, and a new main entrance to our waiting room to the hospital.

According to Dwayne Blaylock, Chief Executive Officer at Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center, the new addition totaling 40,000 square-feet will be a catalyst for continued growth and success not only for our Women’s Services but for the entire hospital. “Our obstetrics program has been a cornerstone of this hospital for decades and now the dedicated and respected physicians, nurses and staff who provide patient care at Gilmore will have beautiful, new facilities. We are very proud of the reputation the staff has earned over the years. We consider it a privilege to be a part of so many families’ lives as they welcome their newest members into the world. Gilmore will have some of the most modern facilities and equipment in the region and streamlined outpatient care areas to make the patient care experience all the more welcoming and comfortable. Everyone at Gilmore is extremely excited about this new facility and it adds special significance to host the opening near Mother’s Day, a time when we reflect on and honor those women who give us life and love. We are proud to continue the longstanding tradition of compassionate care for women and their families in this great new facility, ” Blaylock said.

Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center is a 95-bed hospital that was originally founded in 1916 as the first modern medical center in Northeast Mississippi by Mr. and Mrs. Ellie Davison Gilmore. Then, in 1961, Gilmore Memorial Hospital was constructed where it stands today. In 2005, it was acquired by Health Management Associates, Inc. (HMA), operator of 56 hospitals throughout the United States, ten of which are located in Mississippi. Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center plays a major role in the economic strength and vitality of Monroe County and the surrounding communities.

Drinkwitz named associate administrator at Gilmore

Jeremy Drinkwitz has been named Associate Administrator at Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center. He succeeds Paul Peiffer, COO, who was promoted to Executive Vice-President and COO at River Oaks Health Systems in Jackson, MS.

Since joining HMA, Drinkwitz has served as Associate Administrator at a sister HMA facility, Charlotte Regional Medical Center, in Punta Gorda, Florida for the past 2 years. Drinkwitz joined HMA as an Assistant Administrator in the Norton, Virginia facility, Mountain View Regional Medical Center.

Prior to joining HMA, he served as Chief Operating Officer and as an Operations Manager for a physician practice in Arkansas.

A native of Alma, Arkansas, Drinkwitz received his Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas and his Master of Health Service Administration from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

In making the announcement, Dwayne Blaylock, CEO said, “Drinkwitz brings a fresh outlook, energy and great ideas and we are certainly glad to have him as part of the Gilmore family.”

Young named CFO at Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center

Jimmy Young has been named Chief Financial Officer at Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center. He most recently worked in the same role at an HMA sister facility, Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville, South Carolina.

Since joining HMA, Young has served as CFO at Carolina Pines for the past three years and has served as the CFO at a former Little Rock, Arkansas facility. Prior to joining HMA, he served as a CFO with Community Health Systems in both Tennessee and Arkansas. He also has worked as the CFO of a large, multi-specialty physician clinic.

A native of Greenville, Mississippi, Young attended Mississippi State University and graduated from Delta Sate University. Joining him on his move to Gilmore will be his wife, Susan, and their children.

In making the announcement, Dwayne Blaylock, CEO said, “Young brings a wealth of experience and skills to the table here at Gilmore, and he and his family are pleased to be ‘coming home’ to Mississippi.”

Amory hospital in first phases of ownership transaction

The Gilmore Health System, Inc., board of directors announced a preliminary plan to transfer ownership of Gilmore Memorial Hospital to Health Management Associates.

The transfer of ownership would require HMA to invest more than $18 million in the hospital and to make a cash payment in excess of $45 million.

The two organizations are expected to finalize their agreement in about two months, and the transaction will likely be complete by the end of the year.

CNA pilot program launches

Itawamba Community College, Gilmore Memorial Hospital, the Mississippi Office of Nursing Workforce and Lift, Inc. are working together on a pilot program for certified nurse assistants.

The students involved are given an opportunity to start a nursing career. The 12-week program features eight weeks of job shadowing at Gilmore Memorial Hospital. This gives the students the opportunity to see the different duties of a CNA, an LPN or an RN. They then go to the classroom for four weeks of instruction.

Students graduating from the program will be eligible for the certification exam the first of July.

Gilmore recognized as Industry of the Year

The Monroe County Chamber of Commerce recently recognized Gilmore Memorial Hospital in Amory as the Industry of the Year. "We honor Gilmore Memorial Hospital, the legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Ellie Davidson Gilmore and everyone who has followed, to today's employees and board of directors," Chamber Board President Tommy Tapp said during a recognition banquet. Chief Executive Officer Danny Spreitler accepted the award on behalf of the hospital.