News Around the State

Pam Brown receives Direct Care Worker of the Year Award

Pictured are Kathy Van Cleave, Director of the DMH Division of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia; Pam Brown of Oxford; and Diana Mikula, DMH Deputy Executive Director and Director of the Bureau of Mental Health.

Pam Brown of Oxford was presented with the Direct Care Worker of the Year Award at the 12th 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.   

“Ms. Brown 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. Brown was able to attend the Conference.  I trust she will take the information she has learned and will share it with her team.”

Brown, a Nursing Assistant at Hermitage Gardens in Oxford, has worked with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease for the past six of her 10 years of employment. Nominated by her co-workers, she is described as someone who knows how to read the emotions of individuals and shows she is paying attention to them.  Her nomination letter reads, “she has a desire to teach new hires about the residents, and understands that they are successful when the residents are happiest.” As a family member stated, “…I have full confidence about my mother’s physical and emotional heath. She connects because cares!”

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. Because there was a tie for this award, Ms. Brown shares the Direct Care Worker of the Year Award with Linda Rice of D’Iberville. 

Juergens Receives Dorris Award for Caregiving

Ms. Macel Juergens of Oxford was presented with the Dorris Award for Caregiving at the 12th Annual Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Psychiatric Disorders in the Elderly hosted by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH).  The award is given to someone who demonstrates commitment, compassion, competence, and leadership in dementia care. 

“We are honored to acknowledge the contributions of Ms. Juergens,” said Kathy Van Cleave, DMH Director of the Division of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia. “It truly takes perseverance and dedication to care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.  While Ms. Juergens doesn’t see her actions as something out of the ordinary, her dedication and selflessness are evident to those around her.  It was an honor to meet her and present this award to someone so humble and deserving.”

According to excerpts from her nomination, Ms. Juergens’ care-giving journey began more than 13 years ago with the gradual decline of her father’s health which eventually left him completely dependent and bed-bound in 2000.  Her mother began to decline with Alzheimer’s disease in 2005 and required increasingly greater care.  Throughout this process, she managed her own business and served as construction coordinator for the local Habitat for Humanity chapter.

Although her father died in 2009, she has continued to care for her mother who still requires round the clock assistance.  Her selfless commitment to her parents has consumed an enormous part of her life.  She is a “giver” to many and has been an amazing volunteer.  A friend wrote, “she is possibly the most caring person I know who never wants recognition for what she has done. Her dedication is a perfect example of how each generation should care for those who have gone before us but now require our assistance.” 

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.

Arnold Receives Volunteer of the Year Award

Pictured (l to r) are Diana Mikula, DMH Director of the Bureau of Mental Health; Dianne Arnold; Bill Arnold; and Kathy Van Cleave, Director of the Division of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia.

Bill Arnold of Oxford was presented with the Volunteer 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 individuals who demonstrate commitment, compassion, competence, and leadership in the field of dementia care and volunteerism. 

Mr. Bill Arnold, a retired businessman, moved into the Oxford area from Cleveland a few years ago. He currently serves on several boards of community organizations and has been an integral part of the development of Memory Makers, a respite day program for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease scheduled to open in Oxford later this fall.  According to his nomination letter, “... Bill is not the typical “retired” husband that occasionally accompanies his wife to important events.  Bill is just as committed to the job of helping those who are affected by Alzheimer’s as any full time paid staff in this field.  His commitment is sincere and long term.”  He was nominated for this award by community leaders.

 “There are many causes that Mr. Arnold could choose to support.  We are extremely fortunate that he has chosen to use his gifts and talents in the Alzheimer’s and dementia field,” said Kathy Van Cleave, DMH Director of the Division of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia. “He brings passion, determination and a wealth of experience to the table. It is a privilege to acknowledge his tireless efforts. May his actions inspire us to find meaningful ways to share our experiences.” 

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 700 people attended the conference.

BMH-North MS receives clinical excellence awards

Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi recently announced that it has received the 2009 Specialty Excellence Awards for Orthopedics and Cardiac Surgery from HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings company. These awards place Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi’s clinical outcomes in the top ten percent nationally for each recognized area of care.

Other 2009 notable accolades include:

• Only Recipient of the 2009 HealthGrades Orthopedic Excellence Award in the Northern Mississippi Area
• Only Recipient of the 2009 HealthGrades Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award™ in Mississippi
• Ranked #1 in MS for Cardiac Surgery
• Ranked Among the Top 5 in MS for Overall Cardiac, Cardiology and Orthopedic Services
• Five-Star Rated for Overall Orthopedic Services, Spine Surgery (with and without fusion) and Hip Fracture Repair

“The physicians and staff at Baptist Memorial – North Mississippi are service driven and provide the highest quality healthcare available. It is this dedication to service that has made us a leader in the areas of orthopedics and cardiac surgery,” added Donald Hutson, CEO and Administrator. “The recognition from HealthGrades shares a story with the nation that the people in our community have known for quite some time. You don’t have to leave home for quality care—Baptist North Mississippi has brought quality care home to you.”

These findings were included in the eleventh annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study, which is the most comprehensive study of its kind, analyzing more than 41 million Medicare hospitalization records from 2005 to 2007 at the nation’s approximately 5,000 non-federal hospitals. According to the study, if all hospitals performed at the level of five-star rated hospitals, 237,420 Medicare deaths could potentially have been prevented over the three years studied. More than half of those preventable deaths were associated with four conditions: sepsis, pneumonia, heart failure and respiratory failure.

While overall death rates declined from 2005 to 2007, the nation’s best-performing hospitals were able to reduce preventable deaths at a much faster rate than poor-performing hospitals, resulting in large state, regional and hospital-to-hospital variations in the quality of patient care, the study found.

Based on the study, HealthGrades today made available its 2009 quality ratings for virtually every hospital in the country at www.healthgrades.com, a Web site designed to help individuals research and compare local healthcare providers.

On its Web site, HealthGrades offers, free to consumers, quality ratings of 27 procedures and treatments for virtually every hospital in the country. The Web site is designed so that consumers can easily compare patient outcomes at their local hospitals for procedures ranging from aortic aneurysm repair to bypass surgery. Each hospital receives a star rating based on its patient outcomes in terms of mortality or complication rates for each procedure or treatment. Hospitals with outcomes that are above average to a statistically significant degree receive a five-star rating. Hospitals with average outcomes receive a three-star rating, and hospitals with outcomes that are below average receive a one-star rating. Because no two hospitals or their patients’ risk profiles are alike, HealthGrades employs extensive risk-adjustment algorithms to ensure that it is making analogous comparisons.

Hutson Named Baptist North Mississippi Administrator

Donald Hutson was recently named administrator and CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital–North Mississippi. Hutson comes to Oxford from Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City in Union City, Tenn., where he served in the same capacity. Jim Ainsworth, vice president and head of regional operations for Baptist Memorial Health Care, has been serving as interim CEO, and will continue to oversee regional operations for the health care organization.

Hutson joined Baptist Union City after serving more than 20 years in health care administration with the United States Army and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2006. During his tenure with the Army, he served in health care administration roles in hospitals, regional health care contracting offices and field medical units.

“Don’s administrative leadership skills will have a great impact on Baptist North Mississippi as well as the city of Oxford and the surrounding areas,” said Ainsworth. “With his extensive health care management experience and understanding of the Baptist system, Don is the perfect person for this position.”

A native of Corinth, Miss., Hutson received a Bachelor of Business Administration in economics from the University of Mississippi. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Medical Service Corps officer in the U.S. Army. He received a master’s degree in health care administration from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Hutson is also a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

“It is my honor to join the team at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi,” said Hutson. “My family and I are very excited to return to Oxford to start the next chapter in our lives. Baptist North Mississippi has a longstanding reputation for excellence in health care, and I look forward to providing leadership consistent with that tradition.”

Baptist North Mississippi Hosts Ribbon Cutting for New Lab

Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi recently hosted a grand opening celebration for its new clinical laboratory/classroom.

During the event, staff demonstrated how to operate the lab’s simulation equipment, including SimMan® – a realistic, anatomically accurate mannequin used to train health care workers – and Cath Sim® Vascular Access Simulator – a device used for intravenous procedure training. In addition, attendees observed the hospital’s intranet site, got information about Baptist’s clinical documentation program – a multiyear project that will move Baptist closer to a paperless environment – and learned more about cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

“This was a very exciting day for us and our entire community,” said Zach Chandler, administrator and CEO of Baptist North Mississippi. “This lab/classroom will enhance the education of future health care workers and allow current health care professionals to more easily refresh their skills. As a result, nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and other staff will be better prepared to care for patients in North Mississippi.”

The facility, which was made possible through a $325,000 grant from the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation, allows nursing students to learn and develop clinical skills in a controlled setting without affecting patient care. The lab/classroom is outfitted with patient simulation equipment and will allow educators to create realistic patient care situations that help nursing and other health care students learn and develop clinical skills in a classroom setting. It is also a resource for nursing staff to practice and assess their skills. Baptist North Mississippi and the University of Mississippi School of Nursing will share the facility.

In 2004, Baptist Memorial Health Care and North Mississippi Medical Center agreed to provide joint funding for a nursing program at the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford. The programs are designed to recruit more students to the nursing profession and to make it possible to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing on the Oxford campus. The second phase of the program provides an accelerated Master of Science in nursing program for students who do not have a baccalaureate degree in nursing. During the past several years, the two health care systems have partnered to provide funding for nursing faculty positions at Mississippi University for Women, Itawamba Community College and Northeast Mississippi Community College.

For more information about Baptist North Mississippi, please call (662) 232-8100 or visit northmiss.baptistonline.org.

BMH-NM named Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence

Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi was recently named a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery. The group established a stringent process to determine which surgery centers earned the title. Dr. Michael King is the bariatric surgeon. The center performs between 75 and 100 bariatric surgeries a year, with patients coming from Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas.

Dr. Deese joins Oxford hospital

Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford has been trying to rebuild its heart-care program for over two years. In January, the hospital welcomed cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Larry Deese, who took the position after his Gulfport practice was blown away by Hurricane Katrina. He had been in private practice since 1995. He earned his medical degree from the University of South Alabama. He completed his internship in general surgery at the University of Florida-Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville, Fla, and his residency in general surgery at Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, Fla. He also completed a specialty residency in thoracic surgery at the University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics in Columbia, Mo. He is board certified in cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery and surgical critical care.

Baptist North Mississippi receives $325,000 to Create New Lab For Nurses/Clinicians

Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi recently received a $325,000 grant from the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation for a clinical laboratory/ classroom that allows nursing students to learn and develop clinical skills in a controlled setting.

The lab/classroom will be equipped with patient simulation equipment and will allow educators to create realistic patient care situations that help nursing and other health care students learn and develop clinical skills in a classroom setting. It is also a resource for existing nursing staff to practice skills and for skill assessment.

The lab/classroom further enhances the nursing education program at the University of Mississippi, according to hospital officials. The U.S. Department of Labor has identified registered nursing as the top occupation in terms of job growth through the year 2012. A report published in the November/December 2003 issue of Health Affairs read, “Because the number of young RNs has decreased so dramatically over the past two decades, enrollments in nursing programs would have to increase at least 40 percent annually to replace those expected to leave the workforce through retirement.”

“We are confident this program will attract young people to the nursing profession, where there are many opportunities,” said Katie Morrissette, chief nursing officer of Baptist North Mississippi. “This new lab will give Mississippi students the kind of facility that’s not available to many other students.”

In 2004, Baptist Memorial Health Care and North Mississippi Medical Center agreed to provide joint funding for a nursing program at the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford. The programs are designed to recruit more students to the nursing profession and to make it possible to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at the Oxford campus. The second phase of the program provides an accelerated Master of Science in nursing program for students who do not have a baccalaureate degree in nursing. During the past several years, the two health care systems have partnered to provide funding for nursing faculty positions at Mississippi University for Women, Itawamba Community College and Northeast Mississippi Community College.

For more information about Baptist North Mississippi, please call (662) 232-8100 or visit northmiss.baptistonline.org.

BMH-NH welcomes new pulmonologist

Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford recently welcomed Dr. David Reed  to their active medical staff. Reed specializes in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases and disorders affecting the lungs, as well as sleep disorders. A native of Edwards, he earned a medical degree from the University of Health Sciences-College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Reed completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in pulmonology, critical care and sleep medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.