News Around the State

Dr. Andrew Watson Joins The Medical Group of Quitman

 

Rush Health Systems recently announced that Andrew Watson, MD, has joined the family medicine practice at The Medical Group of Quitman, a rural health clinic of The Specialty Hospital of Meridian.

Dr. Watson received his doctorate of medicine and completed his residency in Family Medicine at University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, MS. 

New clinic at H.C. Watkins holds groundbreaking ceremonies

Officials from Rush Health Systems and The Specialty Hospital of Meridian were joined by civic leaders and community  members as they hosted groundbreaking ceremonies for a new clinic building on the campus of H.C. Watkins Memorial Hospital in Quitman, MS.  The new clinic building will be 10,157 square feet and include 20 exam rooms.  It will offer spacious, patient-friendly waiting and care areas and other accommodations. 

The new clinic, which is expected to open in June, 2012 and will house the offices of The Medical Group of Quitman.  Physicians and nurse practitioners whose practices are based at the clinic currently include Dr. Mark Allen, Dr. Wayne Byrd, Dr. Jack McHenry, Bridgette Singley, Family Nurse Practitioner and Linda McLendon, Certified Nurse Midwife.

In August, 2011, a new family practice physician, Dr. Andrew Watson will join the Medical Group of Quitman.  Dr. Watson is a native of Jackson, MS and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and he received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, and completed the family medicine residency program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Chuck Reece, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Rush Health Systems said the new clinic building is another example in Rush’s commitment to enhance healthcare services in Quitman and the surrounding communities.

H.C. Watkins Memorial Hospital announces merger

H. C. Watkins Memorial Hospital recently announced its merger with Rush Foundation Hospital. “We believe this is a great addition to our healthcare group as we strive to provide compassionate care to the citizens of East Central Mississippi and West Alabama” states Wallace Strickland, President, Chief Executive Officer, Rush Foundation Hospital.

H. C. Watkins Memorial Hospital traces its roots back to 1939. Dr. Horace Clement Watkins saw the need for Clarke County residents to have a hospital to provide medical care that could not be otherwise provided through a conventional medical clinic. Dr. Watkins’ vision was fulfilled as efforts began to create the first hospital in Quitman and the surrounding county area. Thus, H. C. Watkins Memorial Hospital was opened in February 1940 on a corner lot not far from the center of Quitman, MS. H. C. Watkins continued to expand and serve the community’s healthcare needs for 36 years at the same location until the hospital, under the Hill Burton Act, constructed a new 50 bed acute care hospital on 605 S. Archusa Ave.

In the 1990’s, Watkins Memorial added an Extended Care Facility to care for the needs of those requiring Nursing Home and Personal Care services under the direction of Charles W. Shepherd, Hospital Administrator. In January 2004 Watkins Memorial Hospital was certified by the Mississippi State Department of Health as a Critical Access Hospital that required a decrease in bed size to 25 acute/swing beds.

Hospital Administrator, Fred Truesdale said “Employees, community, and the medical staff are very supportive of their community and the hospital.” Truesdale feels very positive about the transition. “We look forward to working with the medical staff and employees of Watkins Hospital to continue to ensure that the community has access to quality local healthcare while providing an economic base for the community and surrounding areas.” according to Chuck Reece, Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Rush Foundation Hospital.

Rush Foundation Hospital is a subsidiary of Rush Health Systems. Rush Health Systems is a comprehensive healthcare organization dedicated to providing compassionate care to the citizens of East Central Mississippi and West Alabama. Rush Health Systems includes: Rush Foundation Hospital, Specialty Hospital of Meridian, Medical Foundation, Inc., Rush Medical Group, Rush Homecare, Laird Hospital, J. G. Alexander Nursing Center, and Watkins Hospital.