News Around the State

Dr. Shivangi Named to Board of Mental Health

 
Pictured are (l to r) Ed LeGrand, DMH Executive Director; Dr. Sampat Shivangi; Diana Mikula, Director of the Bureau of Mental Health; Thad Williams, Mental Health Program Planner/Evaluator; and Cary Walt, Coordinator Workforce Training and Development.

In May, a Board of Mental Health Confirmation Hearing was held at the State Capitol for Sampat Shivangi, M.D. of Jackson who will begin serving on the Board in July representing the medical physician category.

“We appreciate the Governor appointing such a talented and upstanding individual to the Board. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge,” said DMH Executive Director Ed LeGrand."

In 2005, Dr. Shivangi was nominated the Advisor to the US Secretary of Health and Human Services. He was also asked to serve on the National Advisory Council. He previously served on the Mississippi State Board of Health.

Hardy Named Director of Rehabilitation Services at St. Dominic Hospital

Maureen Hardy PT, MS, CHT has been named the Director of Rehabilitation Services at St. Dominic Hospital. In this role, she is responsible for services for all Rehab areas which include: Inpatient Rehab, Outpatient Rehab, The Hand Management Center, St. Catherine’s Rehab, the Lymphedema Clinic at the Cancer Center and a Hand Therapy satellite clinic.

Maureen has been employed as the Director of the Hand Management Center since 1988 and has over 37 years experience as a clinician and manager in various settings. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Pennsylvania, her Master’s Degree from the Medical College of Virginia and her board-certification in Hand Therapy in 1991.

Maureen was awarded the Henry O. and Florence P. Kendall Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Practice in 2002. This award is given by the American Physical Therapy Association to one clinical physical therapist that embodies professionalism, clinical excellence and patient care within the profession.

Keeton, Woodward Names to Interim Leadership Roles at UMMC

Effective July 1, Dr. James Keeton, the vice chancellor's chief of staff at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, will assume responsibilities as interim vice chancellor for health affairs, and Dr. Lou Ann Woodward, the medical school's vice dean for academic and faculty affairs, will assume responsibilities as interim dean, School of Medicine.

Dr. Dan Jones, UMMC vice chancellor for health affairs, will leave the Medical Center July 1 to begin responsibilities as chancellor of the University of Mississippi.

"I have full confidence in the leadership of Dr. Keeton and Dr. Woodward. Just as I have reported to the chancellor over the years, they will report to me in my role as chancellor," Jones said.

Keeton is a professor of surgery and pediatrics at UMMC. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1961 and earned his M.D. in 1965 at the University Mississippi School of Medicine. He completed five years of residency in urology at UMMC, followed by a one-year pediatric urology residency in London, England. He then served for two years in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps. Dr. Keeton returned to Mississippi in 1970, where he has been in academic and private practice.

Woodward is an associate professor of emergency medicine. She graduated from Mississippi State University in 1985 and earned her M.D. at UMMC in 1991. She completed an internal medicine internship and emergency medicine residency at UMMC. She joined the UMMC faculty in 1995.

Sumrall graduates from Focus Program

 
Pictured (l to r) is Ed LeGrand, DMH Executive Director; Scott Sumrall, SEOW Program Director; and Ann Thames, DMH Director of the Bureau of Workforce Development and Training.

Scott Sumrall of Rankin County recently graduated from the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Focus Program. DMH’s Pilot Group Focus Graduation was held on Friday, May 15 at Tara Wildlife in Vicksburg. DMH’s Accelerated Leadership Development Program “Focus” offers a unique opportunity for employees to hone their skills to greater and higher personal performance and self-awareness.

“I am very proud of Scott for his hard work and dedication. Focus is one of the most exciting projects our agency has been involved with,” said Ed LeGrand, DMH Executive Director. “This groundbreaking initiative is helping to strengthening our employees and build upon their talents. DMH’s mission is to support a better tomorrow today and this is one of our efforts to prepare the leaders of tomorrow.”

The goal is to help DMH employees reach maximum capacity and to develop “bench strength” for the agency. This experience challenges participates to grow to new heights in both ability and attitude. “Focus” lasts 12-18 months and involves four multi-day retreats.

Miller graduates from Focus Program

 
Pictured (l to r) is Ed LeGrand, DMH Executive Director; Shirley Miller, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; and Ann Thames, DMH Director of the Bureau of Workforce Development and Training.

Shirley Miller of Hinds County recently graduated from the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Focus Program. DMH’s Pilot Group Focus Graduation was held on Friday, May 15 at Tara Wildlife in Vicksburg. DMH’s Accelerated Leadership Development Program “Focus” offers a unique opportunity for employees to hone their skills to greater and higher personal performance and self-awareness.

“I am very proud of Shirley for her hard work and dedication. Focus is one of the most exciting projects our agency has been involved with,” said Ed LeGrand, DMH Executive Director. “This groundbreaking initiative is helping to strengthening our employees and build upon their talents. DMH’s mission is to support a better tomorrow today and this is one of our efforts to prepare the leaders of tomorrow.”

The goal is to help DMH employees reach maximum capacity and to develop “bench strength” for the agency. This experience challenges participates to grow to new heights in both ability and attitude. “Focus” lasts 12-18 months and involves four multi-day retreats.

Mooney named Corporate Wellness Coordinator

Deidre Bell, Chief Financial Officer of St. Dominic Health Services, has announced Deidre Mooney has been named Corporate Wellness Coordinator. Mooney, a certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor, will oversee St. Dominic’s employee wellness program serving the health and fitness needs of over 3,000 employees.

“In the new position, Mooney will create wellness opportunities to benefit employees of St. Dominic’s and identify employee health risks. She will also organize regular screenings and health incentives for employees as well as community residents and oversee the current Wellness Committee composed of hospital representatives,” said Bell.

Prior to being named to the position, Mooney worked for four years as Assistant Director of St. Dominic’s HealthLine Wellness Center, now known as The Club at St. Dominic’s. In that position, she helped to implement new programs, classes and services to increase membership and improve members’ overall fitness levels.

Mooney will receive a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Belhaven College in December. She has earned numerous certifications in the fitness field, including group exercise, Pilates and yoga, weight training and tobacco treatment specialist.

She completed additional coursework in the areas of facility management, healthcare essentials, exercise management for those with chronic disabilities and disease, obesity and stress management.

Mooney said her passion for fitness, coupled with a strong interest in healthcare, provides the perfect combination for developing St. Dominic’s wellness program.

"St. Dominic’s has made a strong commitment to promote employee wellness,” said Mooney. “Our mission is to serve our community by improving the health of others including our own caretakers. This commitment takes many forms, ranging from primary care of our patients, preventative measures for employees and education to the public to improve their lifestyle and health behaviors.”

Like a growing number of hospitals, St. Dominic’s initiated a wellness program for employees to assist them in adopting healthier lifestyles. The hospital has also provided wellness outreach programs to the community. Mooney said she will focus on those two groups and help each one strengthen their commitment to better health. St. Dominic’s has a variety of wellness programs in place, including exercise programs by certified instructors, smoking cessation classes, cholesterol screenings, weight reduction, stress management, senior health services, diabetes management and water therapy programs. Participants may be referred by their doctor or attend some classes without a physician referral as a member of The Club.

"Many of the costs of healthcare are largely driven by lifestyle choices and the lack of proper diet and exercise in the general population,” said Mooney. “We want to help our employees and communities to be healthier by making good choices, providing the health education they need and the opportunities to exercise on a regular basis."

Dr. Ben Seale joins Grenfell, Evans and Dyess

Ben W. Seale, MD, has joined the medical practice of Grenfell, Evans and Dyess as an adult endocrinology physician. He is joining the medical staff of St. Dominic Hospital after having recently completed his fellowship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Seale’s previous experience includes teaching high school courses in math and science, serving as the Director of the Student Programming Board in Oxford and completing his Internal Medicine residency at UMC.

Seale, a 2004 graduate of The University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, obtained his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Mississippi in 1999. Additionally, Seale is a member of numerous professional societies which include the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Medical Association and the Mississippi State Medical Association. He also volunteers with many organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Mississippi Blood Services, United Way and Tar Wars, an anti-smoking program designed for elementary students.

Grenfell, Evans Dyess and Seale is located at 971 Lakeland Drive, St. Dominic West Tower, Suite 450, Jackson, MS 39216. 

Art of Recovery exhibit visits St. Dominic's

The Brain Injury Association came to St. Dominic’s on Wednesday, April 15, to showcase their “Art of Recovery” exhibit. The 30+ pieces of art were created by Mississippians who have suffered traumatic brain injuries and included paintings, drawings, photography and collages.

In addition, Lee Jenkins, Brain Injury Association Executive Director, went to DominiCare and distributed 35 multi-sport helmets to children age three and up. Joining them were Claude W. Harbarger, President, St. Dominic Hospital; Lamar Nesbit, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Janice Knight, Corporate Services Manager, St. Dominic Health Services and Brain Injury Association Board Member.

UMMC Family Medicine Chair elected to national board

Dr. Diane K. Beebe, chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Board of Family Medicine.

The American Board of Family Medicine is a 40-year-old medical specialty not-for-profit that seeks to improve the quality of medical care available to the public. To do so, it establishes and maintains standards of excellence in the family medicine specialty, improves education standards in family medicine and evaluates practitioners who apply for and hold certificates. Beebe will serve a five-year term on the 15-member board of directors.

"This is terrific for Dr. Beebe and for our institution. I am proud of this accomplishment and grateful for the hard work over many years that went into this recognition," said Dr. Dan Jones, UMMC vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.

"This is a great benefit to the Department of Family Medicine and to our organization for you to participate in a national organization. This will expose Dr. Beebe to lots of good ideas she can implement here at home."

Beebe said she's honored and will use the opportunity to contribute her expertise to the field on a national level while learning ways to continue improving the Department of Family Medicine and family medicine in Mississippi.

The American Academy of Family Physicians, a professional association and advocacy group, elected Beebe for nomination to the board following her endorsement by the Mississippi Chapter.

"I am very excited and honored to serve at this level on my specialty board," Beebe said.

A graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Beebe joined the Medical Center faculty in 1987 after completing her family medicine residency and having served as chief resident her senior year. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a past chair of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Residency Review Committee for Family Medicine and a past member of the Future of Family Medicine Task Force on education.

Family doctors play a crucial role in Mississippi. The state's widespread poverty and largely rural population keep many residents from accessing proper health care. That makes treating the state's high rates of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease all the more challenging.

By working long-term with patients, monitoring ongoing conditions, encouraging healthful lifestyles and treating illnesses, family doctors can help preempt many of the acute illnesses so prevalent in the state.

Established in 1973, the Department of Family Medicine has trained more than 375 physicians, 75 percent of whom have remained in Mississippi to practice. The department employs about 50 people including 18 faculty, 30 residents and three fellows. Through its ambulatory clinics it provides a medical home for 34,000 outpatients a year.

Central Mississippi Medical Center Adds Third Cath Lab

Central Mississippi Medical Center recently announced the addition of the Philips Allura Xper FD20 cath lab to its Cardiac Care Center. The third cath lab now allows patients better access to even more comprehensive cardiac services.

The Philips Allura Xper FD20 cath lab is the latest in imaging technology which provides specialists and referring physicians with comprehensive cardiovascular imaging for diagnostic and interventional procedures. It is designed to encourage patient safety and comfort while minimizing procedure time through enabling more precise positioning at high standard speeds.

A motorized C-arm provides specialists with a wide range of viewing angles that allows easy access to patients. The Allura system features X-ray tub technology and beam filtering techniques for better performance and reduced X-ray dose. A high-resolution Philips Flat Detector delivers images through the conversation X-rays to light. “The system enables us to enhance patient care while offering a broader range of procedures,” said Michael Payment, M.D., cardiologist at Cardiovascular Services of Central Mississippi. Dr. Payment performed the first procedure in the new cath lab on May 19. He is one of the cardiologists who regularly utilize the cath labs at CMMC along with Abdul Bahro, M.D., Nayan Bhatt, M.D. and Dr. Robert B. Lee of Cardiovascular Services of Central Mississippi and Dr. Myrna Alexander, Dr. Berthrone Mock-Muhammad and Dr. Richard Rayford of Jackson Cardiology Associates.

In 1996, Central Mississippi Medical Center opened its state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratory with two cath labs where interdisciplinary teams of cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons perform procedures that include, cardiac catheterization, balloon angioplasty, open-heart surgery, stent placements, pericardialcentesis, inferior vena cava filter placements, temporary and permanent pacemakers and implantable defibrillators. Experienced critical care nurses, respiratory therapists and radiologic technologists make-up the skilled support team. The third cath lab was opened in May 2009 in the surgical suites.