News Around the State

Garden Park Medical Center Now Providing Digital Mammography

Garden Park has expanded its diagnostic imaging services with the addition of a new Selenia™ full field digital mammography system from Hologic®. Selenia incorporates revolutionary imaging technology that provides incredibly sharp images.

From the patient’s point of view, a digital mammogram is like traditional film screen mammography. Both use x-ray to generate images of the breast. However, instead of using film to capture and record the image, a digital mammogram uses a special detector to capture and convert x-ray energy into a digital image. The radiologist can view and manipulate the images on high-resolution computer monitors that enhance visualization of the structures within the breast tissue. They can also adjust brightness and contrast and zoom in on specific areas to help detect small calcifications, masses, and other changes that may be signs of early cancer.

Digital mammography offers a number of other practical advantages and patient conveniences. Because there is no waiting for film to be developed, it can significantly reduce the time patients spend in the mammography department as well as reduce the need for repeat exams due to under or over exposure. Digital images are easily stored and transferred electronically, eliminating the dependency on one set of original films which can be misfiled or lost in transit.

In conjunction with the digital mammography unit, Garden Park is also offering Computer-Aided Detection. CAD provides a “second read” of the mammogram by a computer. This assists the radiologist in making an accurate diagnosis, like spell check in word processing.

Garden Park Medical Center's mammography department brings these advantages to patients along with the use of specially designed pads for a softer-touch mammogram. This helps make the screening process more comfortable for women while still providing high resolution images. In addition, the mammography department has expanded its hours of service to better accommodate women’s schedules. Appointments are available 7:30am to 6:00pm, Monday—Friday, and 8:00am to 11:00am on Saturdays. Services are provided by certified mammography technologists Esther Turan, who has over 20 years experience and Linda Thomas who has over 26 years of experience.

Garden Park’s mammography department is accredited by the American College of Radiologists.

Rogers receives prestigious award for leadership in field of mental retardation

Gulfport resident Sandy A. Rogers, Ph.D., facility director, Specialized Treatment Facility (STF), was awarded the Paul D. Cotten Leadership Award at the 24th Annual Mental Health/Mental Retardation Conference in Philadelphia, Mississippi, December 1-2, 2005.

The Paul D. Cotten Leadership Award is presented to a Mississippian who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the field of services for persons with mental retardation.

Employed by the Department of Mental Health since April 1985, Dr. Rogers has worked at South Mississippi Regional Center in Long Beach as well as North Mississippi State Hospital and North Mississippi Regional Center in Oxford. She joined the Specialized Treatment Facility in June, 2005. Her experience is extensive as she has worked in a variety of positions throughout her career.

She has a Bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University; and Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Rogers is a graduate from the State Executive Management Institute and the Certified Public Managers Program. She holds a Nursing Home Administrator’s License and is a Licensed Educator. Through the Department of Mental Health, Dr. Rogers is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist, a Licensed Clinical Mental Retardation Therapist and a Licensed Mental Health/Mental Retardation Administrator.

She is a member of the American Association on Mental Retardation, Mississippi Society of Certified Public Managers and the Mississippi Association of Behavioral Healthcare Management.

The Specialized Treatment Facility provides residential care and habilitation services for up to 48 adolescent Mississippians (ages 13-21) who have come before youth court and have been diagnosed with a mental illness.

For more information about STF, visit www.stf.state.ms.us.

Specialized Treatment Facility awarded JCAHO accreditation

By demonstrating compliance with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization’s national standards for health care quality and safety, the Specialized Treatment Facility in Gulfport, an agency of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™.

"In becoming accredited, the Specialized Treatment Facility was evaluated against a set of national standards by a Joint Commission surveyor experienced in the delivery of behavioral health care services," said Mary Cesare-Murphy, Ph.D., executive director, Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program, Joint Commission. "Achieving accreditation demonstrates the facility’s commitment to provide high and safe quality care."

Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission is dedicated to continuously improving the safety and quality of the nation's health care through voluntary accreditation. The Joint Commission's on-site survey of the Specialized Treatment Facility occurred in June.

“Accreditation shows that we make a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down,” said Sandy A. Rogers, Ph.D., director, Specialized Treatment Facility. “We sought accreditation for our facility because we want to be the best and we view obtaining Joint Commission accreditation as another step toward excellence."

Dr. Rogers recognizes that accreditation is attainable only through cooperation and communication among staff members. "Everyone at the Specialized Treatment Facility plays a vital role in working to meet the standards. It gives them a feeling of prestige to work in an accredited organization," she said. "They also appreciate the educational aspect of the survey and the opportunity to interact with the Joint Commission surveyor."

The Specialized Treatment Facility provides residential care and habilitation services for up to 48 adolescent Mississippians (ages 13-21) who have come before youth court and have been diagnosed with a mental disorder.

For more information about STF, visit www.stf.state.ms.us . 

McEwen joins clinical staff of the Specialized Treatment Facility

Dorothy Roberts McEwen of Long Beach has joined the staff of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s Specialized Treatment Facility (STF) as Clinical Director of Programmatic Services, announced Sandy A. Rogers, Ph.D., facility director. McEwen’s responsibilities will be to oversee operation of the facility’s education, recreation and social services departments.

“Dorothy’s knowledge and positive attitude will have a significant impact on the operation of our facility,” said Dr. Rogers. “I look forward to working with her to provide the residents of our facility with high quality treatment that will help them become successful, productive members of our community.”

Prior to joining STF, McEwen was director of social services at South Mississippi Regional Center in Long Beach. Her experience also includes employment in the admissions department of Gulf Oaks Hospital and as the director of social services at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Biloxi.

She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi School of Social Work where she earned her Master of Social Work degree. She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker with the State of Mississippi, a Licensed Certified Mental Retardation Therapist through the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, and a Certified Public Manager. McEwen is also a 2002 graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast.

Outside of the workplace, McEwen is active in the community with her work on various non-profit organizations such as The Genesis Foundation and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. She is also an active member of the USM Gulf Coast School of Social Work Advisory Board, MS Humanities Council and a board member of The John C. Robinson “Brown Condor” Historical Association. From May 2002 to February 2003 she participated with a grass-roots child advocacy task force called Professionals Advocating for Children Together. McEwen is the current past president of the MS Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and maintains an active role with the Gulf Coast Program Unit.

The Specialized Treatment Facility provides residential care and habilitation services for up to 48 adolescent Mississippians (ages 13-21) who have come before youth court and have been diagnosed with a mental illness.

For more information about STF, visit www.stf.state.ms.us.

Rogers takes lead of Specialized Treatment Facility

Following the retirement of its current director, Ms. Dale B. Roberts, the Specialized Treatment Facility (STF) in Gulfport, an agency of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, will now be led by Sandy A. Rogers, Ph.D., of Oxford. Prior to joining STF, Dr. Rogers was the assistant director for programmatic services at North Mississippi Regional Center (NMRC) in Oxford.

Employed by the Department of Mental Health since April 1985, Dr. Rogers has also worked at South Mississippi Regional Center and North Mississippi State Hospital. Her experience is extensive as she has worked in a variety of positions throughout her career.

She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Southeast Missouri State University. In 1991 she earned a master of Education degree from the University of Mississippi and in 1998 she earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree, also from the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Rogers is a graduate from the State Executive Management Institute and the Certified Public Managers Program. She holds a Nursing Home Administrator’s License and is a Licensed Educator. Through the Department of Mental Health, Dr. Rogers is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist, a Licensed Clinical Mental Retardation Therapist and a Licensed Mental Health/Mental Retardation Administrator.

She is a member of the American Association on Mental Retardation, Mississippi Society of Certified Public Managers and the Mississippi Association of Behavioral Healthcare Management.

The Specialized Treatment Facility provides residential care and habilitation services for up to 48 adolescent Mississippians (ages 13-21) who have come before youth court and have been diagnosed with a mental illness.

For more information about STF, visit www.stf.state.ms.us. 

Grand Casino Gulfport donates computers to the Specialized Treatment Facility

The Grand Casino Gulfport recently made a generous donation of 10 computers to the Specialized Treatment Facility (STF), a facility of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Each year, Grand Casinos donates more than $200,000 in-kind donations and approximately $150,000 in cash to 501c3 non-profit charities.

“We are very fortunate to have the support of the Grand Casinos and other businesses on the Gulf Coast as we strive to provide a high quality of care for adolescents with mental illness from throughout Mississippi,” said Sandy A. Rogers, Ph.D., STF facility director.

Many of the donated computers will be set up in the facility’s school library for residents to work on and enhance their skills in various areas of learning. Once the residents have completed their treatment, these skills will then help them become successful, productive members of society.

The Specialized Treatment Facility provides residential care and habilitation services for up to 48 adolescent Mississippians (ages 13-21) who have come before youth court and have been diagnosed with a mental illness.

For more information about STF, visit www.stf.state.ms.us.

Sellier joins STF as a social worker

The Specialized Treatment Facility (STF), an agency of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, recently announced that Stephanie Sellier of Bay St. Louis has joined the staff of STF as a licensed social worker.

Sellier earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree and is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists. Prior to joining the STF, Sellier was employed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Family & Children Services.

Chiniche joins STF as school administrator

The Specialized Treatment Facility (STF), an agency of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, recently announced that Sharon Chiniche of Biloxi has joined the staff of STF as a school administrator.

A native of Bay St. Louis, Chiniche earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Education in biology/education from the University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to joining the STF, Chiniche taught biological sciences in public and parochial schools for 10 years and was school administrator at Gulf Oaks Hospital for 14 years.

Harris joins STF

The Specialized Treatment Facility (STF), an agency of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, recently announced that Charles Harris of Ocean Springs has joined the staff of STF as clinical director.

Harris earned a Doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is currently working towards a Master's degree in psychopharmacology. He is also certified through the Department of Mental Health as a licensed clinical mental health therapist. Prior to joining STF, Harris was a forensic psychologist at Mississippi State Hospital and program director at South Mississippi State Hospital.

Garden Park Annual Awards

Garden Park Medical Center in Gulfport recently held their annual awards banquet. Rudy Foret, a nightshift nurse in the hospital's ICU, was named Employee of the Year.

Other honorees for years of service included: 30 years, Myrt Gilliland, Brenda Harrison and Katherine White; 25 years, Karen Favre; 20 years, Bill O'Neill, Greg Rudder and Fran Seal; 15 years, Julie Bosley, Beth Kaletsch, Judy Maloy, Becky Odom and Maria Stroud; 10 years, Tony Arenas, Jennie Conley, Laura Husley, Sandra McKenzie and Sandy Watson; and 5 years, Buddy Cospelich, Daphne David, Audrey Duncan, Garrett Kirk, Carrie Ladner, Irene Lyles, Kathy Mathis, Kim Mattox, Carolyn McLaurin, Denise Murtagh, Amy Necaise, Suzanne Otto, Carol Parker, Renee Pennell, Melissa Porter, Geneva Salter, Linda Tate, Joyce White, Heather White and Josie Williams.