News Around the State

Rush names Employees of the Year

Front row, l to r: Brad Cheatham, H.C. Watkins Memorial Hospital; Liz Butts, Laird Hospital; Cheryl Wozny, Specialty Hospital of Meridian; and Gloria Rogers, Rush Medical Group; and Debra Raines, Medical Foundation, Inc. Back row, l to r: Joann Jennings, Magna Home Health; Teresa Sisson, Rush Foundation Hospital; and Linda Skinner, J.G. Alexander Nursing Center

Eight individuals were named as the “2007 Employee of the Year” for the eight businesses within Rush Health Systems. The announcements were made at the Milestones award programs held during February at Rush locations in Meridian, Quitman and Union.

The employee of the year for H.C. Watkins Memorial Hospital is Brad Cheatham. Brad is the Director of Pharmacy and began work at Watkins in 2004.

Rush Foundation Hospital’s employee of the year is Teresa Sisson, RN. She is the General Surgery Coordinator and has worked with Rush since 1979.

Gloria Rogers is the Employee of the Year for Rush Medical Group. She has worked in Rush Medical Group as a housekeeper for one year but has worked with Rush for nearly five years.

The Employee of the Year for The Specialty Hospital of Meridian is Cheryl Wozny. She has been with Specialty since 2003 and is a Physical Therapist.

Joann Jennings is the Employee of the Year for Magna Home Health. Joann is one of Magna’s hard working Certified Nursing Assistants and has been employed with Magna Home Health since 1994.

Medical Foundation Inc.’s Employee of the Year is Debra Raines. She has been with MFI since 1994, beginning her career as a collector in Business Services and is now an Auditor in the Coding Department.

Liz Butts, Employee of the Year for Laird Hospital, has been employed with Laird for 35 years. She is a certified Phlebotomist in the Laboratory at Laird.

The Employee of the Year for J. G. Alexander Nursing Center is Linda Skinner. Linda has been employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant for two years at Alexander Nursing Center but has been a CNA for 30 years.

Rush Health Systems is headquartered in Meridian, Mississippi with healthcare facilities in East Mississippi and West Alabama. The organization includes Rush Foundation Hospital, Specialty Hospital of Meridian, Medical Foundation, Inc., Rush Home Care, Rush Medical Group, Laird Hospital and J.G. Alexander Nursing Center in Union, Mississippi, H.C. Watkins Hospital in Quitman, Mississippi and Scott Regional Hospital in Morton, Mississippi.

Rush nurses receive CCRN certification

Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian recently announced that 12 of their Critical Care Nurses received their CCRN certification: Sonya Branning, Jennifer Smith, Macie Anderson, Jennifer Lafferty, Cindy Patrick, Neva Jo Pettigrew, Robin Rosenbaum, Jamey Roberts, Leann Sullivan, Derek Lasher, Joyce Butler and Mande Davis. Nurses who receive this certification must complete 1,750 hours of direct bedside care of acutely or critically ill patients within the previous two years, with 875 hours in the most recent year preceding application. Then, they must pass a three-hour test.

Magna Home Health Ranked Among Top 25 Percent

Seated left to right: Glenda Ivy, RN, BSA, Performance Improvement Manager; Wanda Price, Director; and Debra Stegall, RN, Supervisor. Standing left to right: Brenda Boyette, RN, Oasis Coordinator; Sharon Madison, RN, Area Manager; Lesa Lee, RN, Supervisor; and Marshall Mowdy, Business Manager. Not pictured: Pam Noland, RN

Magna Home Health announced that it has been named to the 2007 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the most successful Medicare-certified home health care providers in the United States. This annual review identifies the top 25% of agencies, ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, quality improvement and financial performance.

The 2007 HomeCare Elite also indicates those providers who are included in the Top 100 and Top 500 of providers nationwide. The data used for this analysis was compiled from publicly available information.

“We applaud the success of all the providers names to the 2007 HomeCare Elite,” said Bill Bassett, Senior Director of Market Strategy at OCS, Inc. “Being noted as one of the top performers in the nation in this very competitive environments shows that Magna Home Health is dedicated to quality and performance.”

Magna Home Health provides skilled nursing including antibiotic or other IV therapy, chemotherapy, maternity, infant and children nursing care, blood pressure monitoring, wound care and medication monitoring. Their services also include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Magna is an entity of Rush Health Systems and serves the following Mississippi counties: Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, Newton, Scott and Wayne; and the following Alabama counties: Clarke, Choctaw, Marengo, Sumter and Washington.

Purvis Retires After 39 Years at Rush

At his recent retirement reception at Rush, Mr. Ken Purvis, center, stands with his son Dr. Jim Purvis who is a pediatrician in Jackson, and his wife of 45 years, Betty.

Wednesday, February 13 could have been considered a sad day at Rush but Mr. Ken Purvis would not allow things to be that way. After 39 consecutive years of dedicated service, Mr. Ken Purvis made the decision to retire and he was honored with a reception on February 13. Numerous physicians and employees came by to tell Mr. Purvis congratulations and offered him continued happiness and good health in his retirement.

Mr. Purvis started with Rush in 1969 as a licensed Physical Therapist. Later, he served as Director of Personnel. As Rush Health Systems grew, his responsibilities did too and he was promoted to Assistant Administrator of Rush Foundation Hospital where he served for many years. In 1996, Purvis was named Corporate Compliance Officer for Rush Health Systems. He was the first Corporate Compliance Officer in the healthcare industry in the State of Mississippi.

“Mr. Purvis’ wisdom and role as counselor to many will be missed. We wish Mr. and Mrs. Purvis the best as they begin this new chapter in their life,” said Donnie Smith, Vice President of Human Resources and Public Relations for Rush.

Ken and Betty Purvis have been married for 45 years and they have 3 children: Drs. Jim and Jana Purvis of Hazlehurst, Marty and Vanessa Connell of North Carolina and Bob and Kaira Purvis of Seattle, WA; 3 grandsons and 3 granddaughters. Mr. and Mrs. Purvis are members of Enterprise Baptist Church where he serves as a Deacon.

JARMC in Meridian Awards 7 Nursing Scholarships

Front row from left: MCC students Chara Willis, Marie Moser, Ashley Foley, Heather Durham, Jessica Hutchinson, Kari Mathis and Shauna Grady and Mary Anderson, wife of Dr. Shaun Anderson Back row from left: Jan Farrington, Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center Board member; Martha Johnson, wife of the late Reuben S. Johnson Jr.; Dr. Joe Anderson, Chairman, JARMC Board of Directors, Dr. Shaun Anderson, JARMC Board member, Dr. Betty Davis, assistant dean of nursing at MCC; Mark McPhail, JARMC President and CEO; Elizabeth Gunn, wife of the late William J. Gunn; and Dr. Scott Elliott, MCC president.

Whether it was a personal experience or a recommendation from a relative, seven Meridian Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program students are getting a financial helping hand to become nurses who make a difference.

Thanks to Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center, the rising third-semester ADN students have been awarded scholarships to do just that – make a difference in others lives.

Chara Willis, Marie Moser, Karie Mathis, Jessica Hutchinson, Heather Durham, all of Meridian; Shauna Grady of Decatur and Ashley Foley of Netwon were applauded by MCC nursing faculty and administration as well as by JARMC officials at a special presentation held in the health care facility.

The scholarship recipients are outstanding nursing students who receive the honor based on scholastic ability, nursing excellence, the recommendation of MCC faculty, an application and a written essay on why they chose nursing as a career.

This marks the 20th year the hospital has provided scholarships to area nursing students.

Ashley Foley was awarded the Dr. W.J. Anderson III Scholarship. Dr. Anderson was the son of Dr. William J. Anderson and the grandson of hospital founder Dr. Jeff Anderson. Dr. Anderson was a general surgeon from 1962 until his retirement in 1998. Dr. Anderson served as president and chairman of the board of directors at JARMC until his death in October 2002. This scholarship was created in 2003 to honor Dr. Anderson’s visionary leadership to the hospital.

Foley’s mother is a nurse, who he said is “a dedicated, hard-working nurse.” Serving his country as a helicopter crew chief, Foley requested the Army send him to practical nursing school. “… and now I am on the path to become and RN.”

MCC student Chara Willis received the Dr. Jeff Anderson Scholarship. Dr. Jeff Anderson founded Anderson Infirmary in 1928. At that time, the hospital was staffed by three physicians, a handful of nurses and room to accommodate 30 patients. Dr. Anderson’s vision for the future, and his commitment to providing quality medical care for the residents in East Central Mississippi and West Central Alabama, are the foundation of what has now grown to be JARMC, a 260-bed medical center with more than 160 physicians representing more than 38 specialties. The scholarship was created in 2004 to honor Dr. Anderson.

Willis noted in her essay it was nurses who cared for her grandfather when he was ill who prompted her to pursue the career. “The nurses could always make him smile,” she wrote.

Receiving the Dr. William J. Anderson Jr. Scholarship was Marie Moser. Dr. Anderson was the son of Dr. Jeff Anderson, the founder of the hospital. Dr. Anderson served as a general surgeon at JARMC. He died in 1987. The scholarship was created in 1988 to honor the many accomplishments of Dr. Anderson to the area’s medical field.

Moser wrote, “It is a gift, a knack, the special ability for caring and helping people to be as healthy as they can for as long as they can.”

Heather Durham is the recipient of the Dr. Jefferson F. Hollingsworth Scholarship. Dr. Hollingsworth, the grandson of Dr. Jeff Anderson, was a cardiovascular surgeon in Jackson and was instrumental in getting the Cardiac Catheterization program started in Meridian. He died in 1986. This scholarship was established in 1988 to honor Dr. Hollingsworth’s many contributions to the cardiac program of the hospital. Durham, who is eager to help others, said a relative encouraged her to go into this health care arena. “My aunt is a nurse and she has been a big inspiration in my life.”

Jessica Hutchinson received the William J. Gunn, Esquire, Scholarship. Gunn began his service to the medical center in 1965 as secretary to the board of directors and general counsel for the hospital. In 1967, he became a member of the board of directors and continued his faithful service until his death in August 2001. The scholarship was created in 2002 to honor Mr. Gunn’s service to the hospital.

Hutchinson works at JARMC and sees nursing as a calling. “I love it. I intend to stay!”

Kari Mathis and Shauna Grady received the Reuben S. Johnson Jr. Scholarship. Johnson began his 47-year service to JARMC in 1947. He was president and chairman of the board for 38 years. He was instrumental in the successful transformation of the hospital from a small infirmary to what became Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. Johnson also served as the internal management consultant from 1976 to his death in 1994. The scholarship was created this year to honor his many accomplishments.

Mathis, who spent 12 years working in the medical laboratory technology field, found that she wanted more patient care contact. “Nursing is an honor,” she said.

“There was this one nurse that expressed some understanding toward my situation,” said Grady in her essay when she explained why she wanted to be a nurse. “She treated my daughter and I like people with feelings, not just a job. I decided then that I wanted to be a person that made a difference.”

During the presentation, Mark McPhail, CEO of the health care facility, credited the college for their service to the community. “Every time we have a need, they’re willing to go to bat for us,” he said.

“We’re the ones who should be giving you a hand,” said MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott, explaining the hospital and other agencies came to the College’ rescue at the opportune time. He said to the students the scholarships came with a great responsibility for them to continue to excel.

Jan Farrington, JARMC board member, addressed the honorees noting the scholarships not only honored the past, but also is providing for the future. She said, “All of these people had the vision to provide the care that was second to none … we’re all dedicated to that.

“We challenge you,” she told the students, “to become a part of building the future.”

Donnie Smith Recognized as Grassroots Champion

The American Hospital Association (AHA), in partnership with the Mississippi Hospital Association, on May 9 awarded Donnie Smith, Vice President of Human Resources and Public Relations with Rush Health Systems, with the Partnership for Action Grassroots Champion Award. As a 2007 Grassroots Champion Smith is being recognized for his exceptional leadership in generating grassroots and community activity in support of a hospital’s mission.

The Partnership for Action Grassroots Champion Award was created to recognize those hospital leaders who most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital’s vital role in the community, who have done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for the hospital, and is a tireless advocate for the hospital and its patients.

“Your leadership and dedication to promoting the mission of hospitals has added a strong voice on a local and national level,” said Rich Umbdenstock, president, American Hospital Association. “The compassion and hard work you have demonstrated has made a difference for your patients and your community and has earned you this special recognition.”

The award will be presented annually to one individual from each state. Winners will be chosen by the state association and recognized at a special Breakfast of Grassroots Champions at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting. Smith is one of 50 individuals honored this year.

Smith, who has been with Rush since January of 1998, is he is a member of the Mississippi Hospital Association Board of Governors and is past President of MHA’s Society of Human Resources. Smith is the Recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for Human Resources in 2005 and currently serves as President of All Societies with the Mississippi Hospital Association. He is an active member of the Board of Directors of United Way, serving as Chairman in 2001 and 2008 and Campaign Chairman in 2000 and 2007. He also serves on the Meridian Workforce Council, the Area Council of Boy Scouts, the Architectural Review Board of the City of Meridian, and the State Games of Mississippi Board of Directors. He is active with the EMBDC Existing Business Committee, serving as Chairman for the past three years and EMBDC’s Committee on Education. Donnie is a member and past President of the Meridian Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Smith and his wife Betty are members of Highland Baptist Church where they are active in the Choral Ministry and he is an active deacon.

Specialty Hospital Names New Director of Nursing

The Specialty Hospital of Meridian is pleased to announce the appointment of Bert Turcotte as their Director of Nursing. In this capacity, Turcotte will be responsible for all nursing responsibilities and activities within The Specialty Hospital of Meridian.

Most recently, Turcotte served as Nurse Manager of the Telemetry Unit at Rush Hospital. He has been a registered nurse for over twenty years and has served in many supervisory including Director of Critical Care Services at Riley Memorial Hospital

Turcotte is married to the former Sharon K. Owen of Meridian. They have two sons, Owen and Matthew, and are members of the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

Rush Health Systems is headquartered in Meridian, Mississippi with healthcare facilities in East Mississippi and West Alabama. The organization includes Rush Foundation Hospital, Specialty Hospital of Meridian, Laird Hospital, H.C. Watkins Hospital, Medical Foundation, Inc., Rush Homecare, Rush Medical Group and J.G. Alexander Nursing Center.

McPhail and Strickland named to MCC's Highest Flying Eagles Hall of Fame

Two hospital leaders were recently added to Meridian Community College’s Highest Flying Eagles Hall of Fame.

Mark McPhail, chief executive officer of Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, and Wallace Strickland, chief executive officer of Rush Health Systems, along with three other community leaders, were awarded entry into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Rush Health Systems Names New Regional Vice President

Rush Health Systems recently announced the appointment of Timothy H. Moore as Vice President of Regional Operations for Rush Health Systems. In this capacity, Moore will be responsible for Laird Hospital, Watkins Hospital, Alexander Nursing Center and Rush Home Care.

Most recently, Moore served as Administrator of Clay County Hospital, an affiliate of North Mississippi Health Services. He has over twenty years of healthcare experience including serving as Chief Operating Officer of Leflore County Hospital and numerous administrative assignments within Rush Foundation Hospital.

Moore holds a Bachelors degree from Mississippi State University and Masters in Healthcare Administration from the University of New Orleans. Tim and his wife, Janice, have two children, Matt and Ross who will be relocating to the Meridian area in the near future.

Rush Health Systems is headquartered in Meridian, Mississippi with healthcare facilities in East Mississippi and West Alabama. The organization includes Rush Foundation Hospital, Specialty Hospital of Meridian, Laird Hospital, H.C. Watkins Hospital, Medical Foundation, Inc., Rush Homecare, Rush Medical Group and J.G. Alexander Nursing Center.

Reginald P. White Nursing Facility dedicated

East Mississippi State Hospital recently hosted a dedication ceremony and open house for the new Reginald P. White Nursing Facility. The two buildings were dedicated and named in the memory of Dr. James Thomas Champion and Dr. Reginald Pace White, both former directors of East Mississippi State Hospital.

Groundbreaking for the $14 million project was held in November 2003. Construction was partially funded through S.B. 3158 in the 2001 Mississippi legislative session. The new nursing home consists of two 120-bed, single-story buildings. The new facility replaces the Reginald P. White Nursing Facility, formerly located on the main campus of East Mississippi State Hospital.