News Around the State

Hardy Receives Direct Care Worker Award

 
Pictured are Diana Mikula, DMH Director of the Bureau of Mental Health; Aretha Hardy; and Kathy Van Cleave, Director of the DMH Division of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia.

Aretha Hardy of Lucedale, MS was presented with the Direct Care Worker of the Year Award at the 11th Annual Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Psychiatric Disorders in the Elderly hosted by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH).  The award is designed to honor someone who demonstrates commitment, compassion, competence, and leadership in the field of dementia care.

Hardy, a Certified Nursing Assistant at George Regional Senior Care in Lucedale, has worked with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease for the past two of her 14 years of employment with the hospital.  Nominated by her co-workers, she is described as a “strong mentor... who makes the patients know they are valuable to her.” In another submission, “being absent is not part of her job description... Our part of the medical field is challenging and Aretha is up to the challenge.” 
                                                                                                                      
 “It is a pleasure to honor Ms. Hardy with this award.  She has certainly demonstrated the characteristics of commitment, compassion, competence, and leadership in dementia care,” said Kathy Van Cleave, Director of the DMH Division of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia.  “I’m so excited that Ms. Hardy was able to attend the Conference.  I trust she will take the information she has learned and will share it with her team.”
           
DMH hosted the conference in an effort to address the needs of people suffering from or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. More than 500 people attended the conference.

Singing River Health System and George RegionalHealth System Partner for Specialty Care

The availability of medical specialty services in George County and surrounding areas is expanding thanks to a new partnership between Singing River Health System (SRHS) and George Regional Health System (GRHS).

In May, SRHS will open George Regional Specialty Center, which will be located at 57 Dewey St. in Lucedale.
 
Neurologists and pain management specialists with SRHS Neuroscience Center will begin seeing patients at that location in May. Hospice of Light, which has provided end-of-life care in George County and surrounding areas since 2006, moved into the building in April.

“What is truly exciting about this partnership is the ability to work with GRHS, an exceptional health care system, to enhance the services residents of George County already know and trust,” said Chris Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, SRHS. “This fits well with the SRHS mission to improve the quality of life in the community by delivering world-class health care and wellness services.”

In addition to the Singing River Hospital and Ocean Springs Hospital, Singing River Health System includes a network of primary care providers in Jackson, Harrison and Mobile Counties, as well as a comprehensive cancer center, neuroscience center, cardiovascular services program, and other centers of excellence.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the George Regional Specialty Center will be held at a later date and the public will be invited to attend.

“Our new relationship with SRHS is unique because of the commitment both organizations have to improving the quality of life in this community,” said Paul Gardner, Chief Executive Officer, GRHS. “The exceptional care George County residents already expect and receive from GRHS will be enhanced by the addition of selected medical specialties previously unavailable here.”

Hospice of Light opens office in Lucedale

Hospice of Light, part of Singing River Hospital System, recently opened an office in Lucedale so that in the future it may be able to provide hospice care to residents of Greene and Stone Counties. Hospice of Light was established in 1994 and is accredited by the JCAHO. Dr. Edgar Hull, medical oncologist and medical director of Hospice of Light remains the only physician on the Mississippi Gulf Coast who is certified with the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.