News Around the State

Care+ Welcomes Dr. Todd Perkins

Crossgates River Oaks Hospital (formerly Rankin Medical Center) and Care+ Family Medical Clinic are pleased to announce Todd Perkins, M.D., has joined the staff of the medical center and will be joining Cynthia Allen, M.D., and Brad Madden, M.D., and Sara Murray, C.F.N.P., in practice at Care+ Family Medical Clinic at 4290 Lakeland Drive. Dr. Perkins recently completed his residency in Family Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Prior to medical school, Dr. Perkins received a bachelors degree in finance from the University of Mississippi and a masters degree in Theology from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He has also worked as a youth minister at Faith Presbyterian Church in Brookhaven, MS and as a junior high school teacher at Brookhaven Academy.

Dr. Perkins is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, Christian Medical and Dental Association and Mississippi State Medical Association

Dr. Perkins is a Jackson native and graduated from Jackson Prep in 1990. He and his wife, Beth, have four children and live in Madison, MS.

Odom Promoted to Assistant Director of Marketing at Crossgates River Oaks Hospital

Missy Odom has been promoted to Assistant Director of Marketing at Crossgates River Oaks Hospital in Brandon, MS. Prior to this position she served as Volunteer and Community Relations Coordinator for the hospital. In her new role Odom will be taking on more advanced duties in the Marketing Department including the production of internal and external publications and the implementation of marketing and communication plans.

A native of Madison, MS, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree with an emphasis in Public Relations from Mississippi College in August of 2007. Odom and her husband, Steven, reside in Pearl, MS.

Crossgates River Oaks Receives Quality Achievement Award

Crossgates River Oaks Hospital (formerly Rankin Medical Center) staff display the Quality Achievement Award that was recently presented by Information & Quality Healthcare (IQH), the state's Medicare quality improvement organization. This award represents the hospital's support for quality and its participation in special health care projects with IQH.

The award recognizes the success the hospital achieved in the Appropriate Care Measure project. Dr. James McIlwain, IQH president, noted the hospital's long active cooperation with IQH in quality improvement efforts. Hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes, and physician offices from throughout the state participate in the program in which IQH works under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve the quality of care for Medicare recipients.

Crossgates River Oaks Hospital Names New CFO

Brad Sinclair

J. Allen Tyra, Crossgates River Oaks Hospital CEO, has announced that Brad Sinclair has been named Chief Financial Officer at the facility located in Brandon.

Sinclair earned a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and Business Administration with a concentration in Banking and Finance from Mississippi State University. He also earned a Master of Professional Accountancy from Mississippi State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Most recently, Sinclair served as the Regional Practice Manager for the Mississippi Division of Physician Practice Management. Prior to this position, he served as CFO for Rankin Medical Center (newly named Crossgates River Oaks Hospital) and Riley Hospital in Meridian, MS.

When asked about this strategic move Tyra said, “Brad's education and experience coupled with his knowledge of the unique pressures faced by our facility make him a very logical choice for Crossgates River Oaks Hospital.”

RMC becomes Crossgates River Oaks Hospital

The symbol of an oak tree is often used to represent strength, stability and a firm base of support. That icon and related names have been chosen by Rankin Medical Center and its network of affiliate hospitals here-to-fore known as Preferred Hospitals of Metro Jackson as part of their new names.

At ceremonies held on May 9 on the hospital campus in Brandon, Rankin Medical Center officials announced that the hospital is changing its name to Crossgates River Oaks Hospital, and the four other hospitals operated by Health Management Associates, Inc. (HMA) in the Jackson-metro area are to be known collectively as River Oaks Healthcare.

Allen Tyra, CEO of Crossgates River Oaks Hospital, said the new hospital name was chosen to strategically position the hospital for future growth. “Our hospital is a dynamic and vital resource for the communities we serve. The Crossgates area is already a well-known region, and with the plans for the expansion of Crossgates Boulevard, Crossgates River Oaks Hospital will be at the heart of a major thoroughfare linking Interstate 20, Highway 80 and Lakeland Drive. When completed this new roadway will allow us to be more readily accessible to an even greater number of patients,” Tyra said.

Tyra noted while the hospital is changing its name, the mission remains the same. “You are the reason we are here and the reason we will grow to meet the needs of this great community, while reaching out to provide quality healthcare and compassionate service to even more of the people of Rankin County and the surrounding areas,” Tyra added.

Dale Armour, Senior Vice President and CEO of the Mississippi Division of HMA, made the announcement regarding the five hospitals previously known as Preferred Hospitals of Metro Jackson. “The River Oaks name has earned a reputation in our state for quality medical care and legendary service. As we all know and research confirms, the hospital is very well regarded, trusted, and has the highest name recognition of all our facilities in the metro area. In choosing the new name, we gave heed to the old adage, ‘lead with your strengths’ and are adopting a new name reflective of our strongest brand,” Armour said.

Armour also provided data related to the economic impact the River Oaks Healthcare network of hospitals makes in the metro area and in the state. “Our five hospitals including Central Mississippi Medical Center, Crossgates River Oaks Hospital, Madison County Medical Center, River Oaks Hospital and Woman’s Hospital provide full-time jobs for more than 2,500 employees with an annual payroll of $142,845,000. Our hospitals paid approximately $13,207,583 in taxes in 2007 and invested more than $22,500,000 in capital improvements on the campuses of the five hospitals. More than 5,000 new citizens of the state of Mississippi came into the world at our hospitals, and we provided in excess of $350,000 in civic and charitable contributions in the tri-county area last year alone. We are very proud of the contributions we make to the economic vitality of this region, however we are most proud of the fact that our medical staff members, employees and volunteers made it possible for us to touch individuals lives more than 290,000 times last year. We are very appreciative that we have earned the trust of our patients, and these five hospitals today share a continued commitment to excellence in all we do,” Armour said.

HMA operates ten hospitals in Mississippi including Biloxi Regional Medical Center, Biloxi; Central Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson; Crossgates River Oaks Hospital, Brandon; Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center, Amory; Madison County Medical Center, Canton; Natchez Community Hospital, Natchez; Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, Clarksdale; Riley Hospital, Meridian; River Oaks Hospital, Flowood; and Woman’s Hospital, Flowood.

Rankin Medical Center Announces Quarterly Award Winners

Tracy Holified, Carrie Mitchell and Jerry Lewis were recognized by Nate Howell, Chief Operating Officer at Rankin Medical Center.

Rankin Medical Center recently honored the following people for receiving the hospital’s quarterly award for providing outstanding service.

Jerry Lewis, Plant Operations, was named Employee of the Quarter. Jerry has been with Rankin Medical Center for the past fourteen years and was originally hired to assist in the build out that took place in 1995. He continually goes above and beyond to help fellow employees and always does this with a smile. His daily work ethic and dependability are both admired and appreciated.

Carrie Mitchell, RN, Case Management, was the recipient of the Nursing Excellence Award. Carrie exemplifies nursing and is always ready and willing to help a patient or a co-worker. She was described as a team player that consistently gives 100%. Her service attitude makes her a true asset to Rankin Medical Center.

Rankin Medical Center’s Manager of the Quarter, Tracy Holified, Director of Information Systems, always has the time to answer a question or fix a problem. She has a pleasant attitude and is also very dependable. She was described by a coworker as being a leader, a supportive co-worker and also a friend.

Respected burn surgeon opens outpatient clinic at RMC

R. Fred Mullins, M.D., a highly regarded burn surgeon affiliated with the Joseph M. Still Burn Center, Inc. in Augusta, GA, met with media representatives recently to officially announce the opening of the Outpatient Burn Clinic at Rankin Medical Center.

The clinic will primarily treat outpatient burn victims from Mississippi previously treated at the Augusta, GA facility. Allen Tyra, CEO of Rankin Medical Center said, “We are very excited about the opportunity to be the first hospital in the state to provide this valuable service. It will truly be a great resource to burn patients and their families who have had to travel out-of-state for the past two years to seek the care they needed.”

Battling financial hardships, the Mississippi Firefighter’s Memorial Burn Center in Greenville, MS closed in 2005. The Rankin Medical Center Burn Clinic will be the only burn treatment facility in the state of Mississippi since the Greenwood center’s closing.

Dr. Mullins said that the Joseph M. Still Burn Center was the dream of a gifted surgeon who wanted to give burn patients specialized care and support in a healing, supportive environment. “It is very rewarding for all of us at the Augusta center to be able to extend this dream to Mississippi, bringing healing and hope closer to home for those who suffer from serious burns,” Mullins said.

Tyra went on to thank Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Association and the firefighters throughout the state of Mississippi for continually looking for a solution to this statewide problem. Amanda Fontaine, Executive Director of the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association, and Kendall Golden, Representative of the Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association, also attended the announcement. “This is truly a great day for the citizens of our state and the firefighters that protect them on a daily basis. We now have first-class burn services,” said Elliott.

The Outpatient Burn Clinic at Rankin Medical Center began treating patients March 7, 2008. Tyra said, “Today alone we are providing burn care to twelve patients from Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. We could not be more excited about this partnership.”

Rankin Medical Center to Offer Outpatient Counseling Service

Rankin Medical Center will soon open Inspirations Outpatient Counseling Center on the campus in Brandon. The program is designed to help senior citizens who struggle with daily living find ways to deal with everyday challenges.

Inspirations offers outpatient counseling services that are directed toward the process of healing emotionally, physically and mentally. The program is tailored to meet the individual needs of the patients and may include individual, group or family therapy.

“Many of the patients will be transported to Rankin Medical Center from assisted-living and nursing homes,” said Kay McKennery, Program Director. “Often times the transition from independent living to a care facility is difficult. The physical and emotional stresses of aging can also lead to a range of psychiatric symptoms, mental or emotional distress or behavioral problems, many of which may go unnoticed. Depression, for instance, often occurs with other serious illness, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes or Parkinson's disease.”

Inspirations acts as a supportive adjunct to the assisted-living facilities and nursing homes, and gives the elderly a chance to leave their facility and come to a place where they can share their thoughts and emotions.

When asked about the new service line Allen Tyra, CEO, said, “Rankin Medical Center is dedicated to being our community’s first choice for healthcare needs. We saw a need in our community and found a way to offer a solution.”

Rankin Medical Center Names New Board Members

Pictured left to right: Gale Martin, Dr. Kenneth Ball, Allen Tyra, Freddie Rowell and Steve DeSalvo

Allen Tyra, CEO of Rankin Medical Center, named four individuals to the Advisory Board: Steve DeSalvo, Freddie Rowell, Gale Martin and Kenneth Ball, M.D. “We are very pleased to add this group of distinguished community leaders to our board,” said Tyra. “We look forward to their contributions as we strive to be our community’s first choice for healthcare needs.”

Steve DeSalvo, Manager of Mississippi Braves, is a native of Centereach, New York. DeSalvo is in his 22nd season with the Braves’ AA franchise and his 28th season in professional baseball, 27 of them as a minor league General Manager. DeSalvo and his wife Bonnie have their three children, Jessica, Hannah and Brandon.

Freddie Rowell is the Rankin County President for Bank of the South. He is a member of the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, Mortgage Bankers Association, Kiwanis Club and the Rankin County Heart Association. Rowell and his wife Lisa have one son, Denis.

Gale Martin, Executive Director of the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, was also added as a member. Prior to his position with the Chamber, Martin was the Executive Director of the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Born and raised in Rankin County, Martin lives on a family farm which has an active cattle and timber operation. Martin and his wife Pam have three daughters, Julie, Jamie and Katie and four grandchildren.

Kenneth Ball, M.D., Hospitalist at Rankin Medical Center, is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and is Double Boarded in Internal and Pediatric Medicine. He is a member of the Physician Leadership Council and Chairman of the P & T Committee. Dr. Ball and his wife Mary have three children, Samuel, Stevens and Betsy.

Board members at Rankin Medical Center serve three-year terms. The terms are staggered with members rolling off each year. Already serving on the board is Stephanie Daniels, David Flemming, M.D., Judy Fortenberry, Reverend Gene Henderson, Benny Hubbard, James Jefferson, M.D., Carlo Martella, James Neill, M.D., Galen Poole, M.D. and Dale Armour, Senior Vice-President and Divisional CEO.

Rankin Medical Center Welcomes Shuja Yousuf, M.D.

Rankin Medical Center recently welcomed Shuja Yousuf, M.D. as the newest member of their Hospitalist program. Dr. Yousuf has been on staff at Rankin Medical Center since May 2003 serving as both an Internist and Emergency Medicine physician.

After receiving his medical degree from the University of Kashmir in Kashmir India, he completed his internship and residency programs at Temple University/St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

In addition to being Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Yousuf’s memberships also include the American College of Physicians, Society of Vascular Medicine and Biology, and Imamiamedics International.