News Around the State

NWMRMC adds hyperbaric cylinders

Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center has opened a wound center designed to help patients whose health conditions cause them to heal slowly. Two are in place, with space set aside for additional units if needed. Adam Roach, an LPN, will be the technician. 

Hampton named CNO at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center

Patricia S. Hampton, DNP, RN, CNA-BC, has been named chief nursing officer at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center.

Hampton received her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. She earned her associate degree in nursing from Mississippi Delta Community College and BSN and MSN from Delta State University.

She comes to NWMRMC from Delta Regional Medical Center where she served in various roles.

Strayham named CEO at NWMRMC

 

Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in Clarksdale recently announced that Joan Strayham has been named chief executive officer. Previously, she served as chief operating officer at Biloxi Regional Medical Center.

Strayham is a registered nurse with 30 years of experience in the health care field. She has served as interim CEO at the hospital since June 1 when Jack Hill was called to report to duty with the United States Army Reserve.

Study Finds Patient Care at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center Rates Highly

Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center recently announced that it has received a 5 star rating for the quality of its Pulmonary and Stroke Care from HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare rating organization. The recognition is based on HealthGrades’ twelfth Annual Hospital Quality in American study, which analyzes patient outcomes at virtually all of the nation’s hospitals.

Northwest MS Regional was ranked among the top five hospitals in Mississippi for the treatment of Stroke, and 5 star rated for treatment of stroke in 2010.

Northwest MS Regional was also ranked among the top five hospitals in Mississippi for overall pulmonary service for three years (2010, 2009, and 2007).  Northwest is also 5 star rated for treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, four years in a row (2007-2010)

"I want to thank all hospital staff for everything they do on behalf of patients and their families on a daily and nightly basis. I also want to thank the physicians for leading, guiding, and delivering high quality patient care.

Our hospital staff and physicians have joined together with one goal in mind and have taken our mission and vision statement to heart. These are, "to take great care of people" and "do it better every day". With this announcement, it demonstrates that we  are succeeding in their mission and vision. I am proud to be a part of this team. I am proud that employees and physicians are receiving the recognition they deserve. I am excited for the community to know we will not only take care of them when they are in need, but most importantly, that we have so many dedicated, skilled people working together to provide that care right here in the community.", stated Jack Hill, Chief Executive Officer.

HealthGrades’ hospital ratings and award reflect the track record of patient outcomes at hospitals in the form of mortality and complication rates.  HealthGrades rates hospitals independently based on data that hospitals submit to the federal government.  No hospital can opt in or out of being rated, and no hospital pays to be rated.

For 28 procedures and treatments, HealthGrades issues star ratings that reflect the mortality and complication rates for each category of care. Hospitals receiving a 5-star rating have been mortality or complication rates that are below the national average, to a statistically significant degree.  A 3-star rating means the hospital performs as expected.  One-star ratings indicate the hospital’s mortality or complication rates in that procedure or treatment are statistically higher than average.  Because the risk profiles of patient populations at hospitals are not alike, HealthGrades risk-adjusts the data to allow for apples- to- apples comparisons.

 

Campbell named CNO at NWMRMC

Teresa Campbell was recently named chief nursing officer at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. She recently retired from the United States Air Force as a full colonel. She was born on an Air Force base in Japan, as her father was also in the Air Force, and she grew up mainly in Orlando, Fla. She attended both the University of Florida and the University of South Florida.

Guthrie named CEO at NWRMC

Debby Guthrie was recently named the chief executive officer of Northwest Regional Medical Center in Clarksdale. She is the first female CEO the hospital has had. She accepted the position following Doug Arnold’s promotion to another hospital in the Health Management Associates family, Midwest City Medical Center in Oklahoma. Previously, Guthrie had served as chief operating officer at the hospital.

Top Employees

Northwest Regional Medical Center recently selected quarterly award winners. Each winner received a check for $250, a plaque, a reception and a designated parking space for three months. They will also be eligible for annual awards. Selected were Jean Williams, RN, Manager of the Quarter; Virgil McCluskey, RN, Nurse of the Quarter; and Margaret Bryan, occupational therapist, Employee of the Quarter.

Northwest Regional selected Nathan Payne as Employee of the Month for August. Nathan received a day off with pay, an Employee of the Month pin and a designated parking space. Nathan works in the Plant Operations Department.

Guthrie joins NWMRMC as COO

Debby Guthrie has been named chief operations officer at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. She took the spot once occupied by Butch Frazier who transferred in 2004 to Muskogee, Tex. Guthrie began her post on June 1.

Guthrie worked as a speech pathologist for 13 years. She eventually went back to school and earned an MBA and a Master's in Hospital Administration. She has since worked in senior management for Hospital Corporation of America in Georgia and Florida for 14 years.

Before coming to NWMRMC, she worked for Q Care International in Marietta, Ga. as COO.

More than 100 apply for 25 openings in CCC nursing program

A partnership between Coahoma Community College and Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center forged several years ago to meet critical health care needs has earned top accolades and preliminary accreditation of its associate nursing degree program, according to Dr. Rosetta Howard, academic dean. In 2001, the partnership worked to establish a respiratory therapy program at CCC.

One hundred prospective students applied for 25 open slots. Orientation for the students accepted began July 18. Graduates of the program will receive an associate degree in nursing in two years and will be eligible to become registered nurses following board certification. Students will attend classes on the CCC campus near Whiteside Hall in the former Tiny Tigers Day Care building.

For more information about the nursing program, call LaWanda Herron at (662) 621-4210.

Hospital welcomes new doctors

In recent months, Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center has added several new doctors to their active medical staff. New physicians include:

• Dr. Edwin Ozua, hospitalist
• Dr. James Major, general surgeon
• Dr. Fred Sandifer, orthopedic surgeon
• Dr. Jules Pean, cardiologist
• Dr. Tarence Wade, emergency medicine

The additional physicians are an important part of the hospital's ongoing quest to become a regional tertiary center, providing services to all of northwest Mississippi.