News Around the State

Baptist Union County names new assistant administrator

Jay Pullman has joined Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County’s leadership team as an assistant administrator.

As an assistant administrator, Pullman is responsible for the administrative direction for radiation, lab, rehabilitation, wellness, food and nutrition, environmental services, pharmacy and respiratory services at Baptist Union County. Since 2006, Pullman has served as the manager of outpatient rehabilitation services and the HealthPlex at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. As manager, he oversaw several services, attracted more patients, expanded services and won key physician support.

“Baptist Union County is very fortunate to have Jay join the organization as our assistant administrator and to become a key member of the administrative team,” said James Huffman, administrator and CEO of Baptist Union County. “Jay has an excellent background in health care and brings a variety of skills and new ideas to assist in our goal of continually improving the scope and quality of services we offer to our patients.” Pullman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy from the State University of New York in Buffalo, NY.

Williams named chairman at BMH-Union County

Dwight G. Williams has been appointed chairman of the board of directors for Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County in New Albany. He has served as the board’s secretary since 1989. He also was recently appointed to Baptist Memorial Health Care’s board of trustees.

Baptist Union County Names New Radiology Director

Thomas M. Bailey has been named director of radiology at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County. Bailey was previously director of radiology at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City. He began his career in radiological technology in 1987 and has many years of experience educating, training and managing radiological technologists. Bailey is currently working on a bachelor’s degree in allied health management.

“I am delighted to welcome Thomas to our wonderful team of managers and directors,” said James Huffman, administrator and CEO of Baptist Union County. “His years of experience and previous leadership roles make him an ideal candidate for this job, and I know he will succeed in it.”

Baptist Union County is a 153-bed hospital that offers a variety of health care services, including labor and delivery, outpatient and laser surgery and a 24-hour emergency department. In 2004, the hospital renovated its Women’s Center, which features five labor/delivery/recovery suites, two surgical suites for Caesarean sections, a level II nursery for sick babies and a 15-bed postpartum unit. Baptist Union County also offers one of the only open MRI machines that is accredited by the American College of Radiology in Mississippi. The hospital, which employs about 448 health care professionals, had 961 births and 18,176 emergency department visits in fiscal year 2005. According to a recent University of Memphis study, Baptist Union County has an annual economic impact of $47 million on its community.

Baptist Union County Offers New Laser Treatment for Most Common Men’s Health Problem

Dr. Ben Bernstein, New Albany Urology, is the leader of this project.

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County recently began offering an outpatient procedure to treat noncancerous enlargement of the prostate.

Unlike other treatments, Greenlight PVP™, or photoselective vaporization of the prostate, combines the effectiveness of a surgical procedure with the safety and ease of a virtually nonsurgical treatment. It is delivered in a single, low-risk procedure that provides immediate results. Using a laser, the device allows physicians to vaporize a very shallow layer of cells and results in little or no bleeding. The instant vaporization means healing begins immediately because there is no dead tissue remaining to remove later.

Patients are commonly released within a couple of hours, many without a catheter, and can return to normal nonstrenuous activities within the week. The procedure has been proven safe, effective and durable in clinical studies conducted during a five-year period at many leading medical institutions.

“I am excited that Baptist Union County now offers this innovative treatment for enlarged prostate,” said Ben Bernstein, M.D., a urologist and the physician who performs the procedure at Baptist Union County. “This procedure offers a one-time treatment for enlarged prostate, and patients don’t have to worry about taking medications every day or some of the complications that can come with traditional surgery, such as incontinence or impotence.”

Enlarged prostate affects more than 14 million American men each year. The condition causes urinary problems in nearly half of all men older than 50, and the percentage increases with age. By the age of 80, nearly 80 percent of all men suffer from symptoms of enlarged prostate. Among the most common symptoms are difficulty in urinating; a reduced urine stream; straining to urinate; frequency of urination, especially at night; an urgent need to urinate; and a feeling that the bladder never completely empties.

For more information about Baptist Union County, please call (662) 538-7631.

Gentry Earns AHA Certification

Dan Gentry, left, and Rob Gentry, right, father and son, are two of only eight CHFMs in Mississippi

The American Hospital Association Certification Center recently announced that Robbie Gentry, director of facilities management at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County, has earned the Certified Healthcare Facility Manager designation.

The CHFM is a national credential that distinguishes an individual as being among the elite in a critical field of health care management. To earn the credential, an individual must satisfy eligibility requirements that incorporate a blend of work experience and education, agree to adhere to the AHA’s Professional Standards of Conduct and pass the CHFM examination. The exam tests a health care facility manager’s knowledge of the areas of compliance, including planning, design and construction, maintenance and operations, finance, and administration. The CHFM program supports the community of health care facility managers and is designed to provide an objective and rigorous assessment of professional knowledge.

Gentry began his career at Baptist Union County in 1990 as the hospital’s biomedical electronics director. In 1994, he accepted his current position, which includes responsibilities for safety, security and emergency preparedness. Gentry holds an associate degree in applied science from Northeast Mississippi Community College.

“This certification exemplifies Robbie’s commitment to quality and safety for our facility,” said James Huffman, CEO and administrator of Baptist Union County. “He, and his father, Dan Gentry, who is also an employee of a Baptist Memorial Hospital, are two of only eight CHFMs in Mississippi. They are the first in the Baptist system to be certified.”

Baptist Union County Purchases Lifelike Mannequin For Clinical Training

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County recently acquired SimMan®, a mannequin-based patient simulator that will be used to assess and train nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists and physicians.

SimMan – a realistic, anatomically accurate mannequin – is equipped with a number of features, including a realistic airway system; an intravenous arm; physiologically correct carotid, femoral, brachial and radial pulses; and more than 2,500 cardiac rhythm variants, to allow for a variety of realistic patient care scenarios. SimMan can produce spontaneous breathing, heart and lung sounds, as well as coughing, moaning and various voice sounds.

In January 2006, Baptist Union County will open a simulation lab that will include SimMan and CathSim® Vascular Access Simulator — a realistic force feedback device that simulates skin stretching, tissue resistance and venipuncture for intravenous procedure training.

“We are so excited about SimMan because it will allow our staff to gain practical experience with new procedures and techniques and relearn skills without affecting patient care,” said Wanda Dent, Baptist Union County’s education director. “I believe this new technology will enhance quality of care for our patients by helping ensure we continue to have a high-caliber staff.”

For more information about Baptist Union County, please call (662) 538-7631.

Baptist Union County Names New Rehab Director

Scott Edwin Ford has been named director of rehabilitation of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County.

In his new role, Ford will be responsible for staffing the department, supervising patient care and other managerial duties. Ford was previously employed at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., where he served in various roles, including as senior therapist and assistant director with responsibilities for clinical operations, productivity and marketing of various services. Ford earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Mississippi.

“We are pleased to welcome Scott to our staff,” said James Huffman, CEO and administrator of Baptist Union County. “He comes to us with wonderful qualifications, and I am certain he will excel in this role.” Baptist Union County is a 153-bed hospital that offers a variety of health care services, including labor and delivery, outpatient and laser surgery and a 24-hour emergency department. In 2004, the hospital renovated its Women’s Center, which features five labor/delivery/recovery suites, two surgical suites for Caesarean sections, a level II nursery for sick babies and a 15-bed postpartum unit. Baptist Union County also offers one of the only open MRI machines that is accredited by the American College of Radiology in Mississippi. The hospital, which employs about 448 health care professionals, had 961 births and 18,176 emergency department visits in fiscal year 2005.

For more information about Baptist Union County, please call (662) 538-7631.

Baptist Union County Names New Administrator

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County recently named James Huffman administrator and CEO. Huffman comes to Baptist Union County from Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle in Columbus, Miss., where he has served as chief operating officer for the past two years. During that time, he has been involved in a major construction project, developing a hospitalist program and numerous other initiatives to improve overall hospital operations.

“During his 10 years with Baptist Memorial Health Care, James has proven to be a dedicated employee and a great leader,” said Jim Ainsworth, vice president and head of Baptist Memorial Health Care’s Mississippi operations. “He has a great deal of experience in almost every aspect of running a hospital, from planning and developing construction projects to overseeing a variety of departments.”

Huffman has been with Baptist since 1995, beginning as Baptist Golden Triangle’s chief financial officer, then assuming the same role for Baptist’s metro-Memphis market before returning to Baptist Golden Triangle. Huffman, a North Carolina native, has a bachelor’s degree in health care management from Appalachian State University and a master’s degree in finance and a certificate in health care finance from the University of South Carolina.

Baptist Union County is a 153-bed hospital that offers a variety of health care services, including labor and delivery, outpatient and laser surgery and a 24-hour emergency department. In 2004, the hospital renovated its Women’s Center, which features five labor/delivery/recovery suites, two surgical suites for Caesarean sections, a level II nursery for slightly sicker babies and a 15-bed postpartum unit. Baptist Union County also offers an open MRI machine that is accredited by the American College of Radiology.

For more information about Baptist Union County, please call (662) 538-7631 or visit http://unioncounty.baptistonline.org.