News Around the State

Award Winners Named during Forrest General’s Annual Employee Christmas Party

Pictured: Employee of the Year, Chuck Pierce, Emergency Department

 

Forrest General’s top employee, leadership and physician awards were presented on December 14 at the hospital’s annual Employee Christmas Party.

Employees recognized during the event included Forrest General’s We C.A.R.E. Award recipients, honored for upholding the hospital’s We C.A.R.E. philosophy; Service Award recipients, who were recognized for years of service to the organization; and the 2018 employee of the year, Chuck Pierce.

Also honored were the four winners of the 13th Annual Philip Rogers Quality Award. The award is named for Dr. Philip Rogers, a nephrologist with Hattiesburg Clinic, who dedicated 32 years of his life to serving the people of South Mississippi as a physician, mentor and humanitarian. Dr. Rogers, Forrest General’s first nephrologist, was known as a kind-hearted, brilliant physician and great medical staff leader, and was greatly admired and respected for his commitment to his patients and the medical field. Four recipients, each influential and important members of Hattiesburg’s medical community, were announced during the presentation and honored for their roles as a humanitarian, innovator, leader or mentor.

The following is a list of those Forrest General staff members and physicians who were honored as winners during the celebration:

Employee of the Year

• Chuck Pierce, Emergency Department

We C.A.R.E. Awards

• Lance Bailey, LSW, Emergency Department Social Work
• Alex Hali Beasley, RN, 8T
• Wai Chan, Environmental Services
• Amanda Mozingo, Epic

We C.A.R.E. Physician Award

• Steven Stogner, MD, ICU

We C.A.R.E. Leadership Award

• Amber Chancelor, RN, Palliative and Supportive Care

Philip Rogers Award Winners

• Leadership: John Fitzpatrick, MD, nephrology, Hattiesburg Clinic
• Innovator: Jose Fernandez, MD, neurology, Hattiesburg Clinic
• Mentor: Randel Smith, MD, cardiology, Hattiesburg Clinic Heart and Vascular
• Humanitarian: Joseph Salloum, MD, radiation oncology, South Mississippi Associates in Radiation Therapy, PLLC

Service Awards (30 Years)

• Thomas W. Barber, Pharmacist,  Pharmacy                               
• Lisa A. Beckum, unit assistant, Emergency Services               
• Carolyn L. Broome, senior operating room tech, Surgical Services                    
• Lisa R. Davis, patient care coordinator, ICU                                       
• Vickie L. Duncan, environmental tech, Environmental Services        
• Walter J. Hearn, biomed tech III, Bio-Med                                 
• Pamela D. Lindsey, nephrology coordinator, 7T-Resident & Renal         
• Lela McMillion, RN, OI-Medical Surgical           
• Laura J. Miley, director of Nursing, Marion General Hospital, Operations Support 
• Sandra J. Prater, Diagnostic RN, Radiology
• Judy L. Schlott, EPIC analyst, Information Systems
• Susan M. Smith, clinical registry coordinator, Cath Lab
• Edna M. Strickland, secretary, Cath Lab
• Linda F. Taylor, unit secretary, 7T-Respiratory and Renal                   
• Renita Travis, unit secretary, Emergency Services                    
• Joanne Warren-Johnson, team leader, Lab                  
• Carolyn L. Woullard, administrative registration supervisor, Radiology                 

Service Awards (35 Years)

• Randy H. Applewhite, pharmacist, Pharmacy             
• Sue E. Crabtree, senior program analyst, Information Systems    
• Deborah F. Esters, unit secretary, 3T
• Terri P. Hutson, Epic RN analyst, EPIC                                
• Berniece Hyche, LPN, Same Day Surgery
• Sandra D. Oneal, EPIC RT Analyst, Epic                              
• Sherry L. Phillips-Dykes, Epic RN analyst,  Epic                        
• Lynn Smith, senior system administrator, Information Systems
• Patricia L. Watts, environmental tech, Environmental Services        

Service Awards (40 Years)

• Jamie C. Campbell, support specialist II, Information Systems
• Patricia A. Keys, unit secretary, NICU                                        
• Karen A. Simmons, payroll specialist, Payroll                        
• Meida I. Sinclair, patient care supervisor, Patient Care Services Administration        

Memorial Cancer Center Medical Oncologist / Hematologist Awarded Preceptor of the Year

(L-R) Deepu Thoppil, MD, Merit Health Wesley and Pamela Tuli, MD, Memorial Oncologist/Hematologist

 

Pamela Tuli, MD, Memorial Cancer Center Medical Oncologist / Hematologist, was awarded the Preceptor of the Year Award for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg.

Deepu Thoppil, MD, Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Graduate Medical Education, Merit Health Wesley, presented Dr. Tuli with the award on Dec. 13. Annual preceptor awards are given to individuals who are exemplary practitioners, role models, coaches, learning facilitators, and team players.

Dr. Tuli joined Memorial Cancer Center Medical Oncology in 2010. She earned her medical doctorate and completed her residency at Temple University in Philadelphia. She completed her Fellowship at San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium in Texas. Dr. Tuli is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology.

Forrest General Presents the 2018 Philip Rogers Award Winners

Forrest General Hospital proudly announced the winners of the thirteenth-annual Philip W. Rogers Awards during the hospital’s annual Employee Christmas Celebration! These awards are presented to healthcare workers who exemplify commitment to the field of medicine and excellence in patient care. The award was presented to four individuals based on nominations received from their peers. Each winner represents one of Rogers’ most admirable characteristics – Humanitarian, Innovator, Leader and Mentor.

Joseph Salloum, MD, radiation oncologist with South Mississippi Associates in Radiation Therapy, PLLC, was honored with the Philip Rogers Humanitarian Award. Dr. Salloum has helped develop Forrest General’s cancer program from the ground up gaining state-wide recognition as one of the most progressive and highest quality treatment centers in Mississippi. He motivates himself and others to persistently push ahead, improving quality of care and providing the latest and greatest treatment options. He is an inspiration to all and has the ability to affect positive change.

The Innovator Award was presented to Jose Fernandez, MD, neurology, Hattiesburg Clinic. Dr. Fernandez is devoted to his medical calling and patient care as evidenced by his involvement in the stroke program. Because of his innovative work, 2019 will be the tenth year Forrest General has been a certified stroke center. Further, Dr. Fernandez is an outspoken advocate for physician, nurse, and community stroke education. Without his vision, Forrest General’s stroke program may not be what it is today. 

The award for Leadership was given to John Fitzpatrick, MD, nephrology, Hattiesburg Clinic. Dr. Fitzpatrick has been an instrumental leader in the implementation of electronic medical record (also called EMR) solutions to help resolve quality issues related to inpatients. He had a significant impact on leading doctors to utilize the EMR for orders. He was a leader in the hospital’s decision to implement Epic, which has improved patient care and efficiency. In addition, he has served in leadership roles at Hattiesburg Clinic for the last 12 years as it has grown from 206 physicians to the current staff of 417 physicians and Advanced Practice providers. His latest leadership contribution has been to coordinate Hattiesburg Clinic’s efforts to focus the team on population health implementation resulting in improvement in the health status of the community. Dr. Fitzpatrick’s awareness of the entire continuum of care and proven willingness to get involved to improve processes illustrates his unselfish leadership. 

The Philip Rogers Mentor Award went to Randel Smith, MD, cardiology, Hattiesburg Clinic Heart and Vascular. Dr. Smith demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to the entire cardiology service line, taking it upon himself to provide support and service to all cardiologists as well as staff. He quickly discerns their individual needs and moves efficiently to provide guidance and direction. He guides staff to be at their best by observing their strengths and weaknesses and then building upon those traits. It is evident that Dr. Smith loves what he does and is deeply committed to caring for his patients and helping the his team grow and cultivate their talents.

St. Dominic’s Makes Spirits Bright with Free Joint Replacements

St. Dominic’s Joint Center is making spirits bright for six individuals this holiday season by providing them total joint replacements at no cost through Operation Walk USA. These life-changing surgeries restore mobility and provide pain relief for patients who otherwise may not be able to afford treatment.

To read more, click here.

Employees Honored For Service At Mississippi State Hospital

Mississippi State Hospital recently honored employees with December anniversaries for their years of service to the hospital.

Service awards are given to MSH employees in the month of their date of hire, beginning with one year and followed by every fifth anniversary year. Employees receive a Certificate of Appreciation and a Service Award Pin.

The program is sponsored by Friends of Mississippi State Hospital, Inc.

Mississippi State Hospital November service award recipients include: Front row (left to right): Doril Sanders (Jackson, 20 years), Roshonda Cary (Ridgeland, 1 year), Tiea Carter (Jackson, 1 year); middle row (l-r): Donna Chapman (Terry, 15 years), Antwynette Shields (Columbus, 5 years), Melissa Hearn (Morton, 5 years); back row (l-r): Larry McWilliams (Florence, 25 years), Shawn Cagle Pearl, 30 years), Rhonda Potter (Jackson, 10 years), Cherry Newsome (Byram, 10 years), Jimmy Ruble (Pearl, 10 years), Rita Meador (Brandon, 10 years), Azizi Hunt (Lake, 1 year).

Everett Selected for Carol Emmott Fellowship

            Angie Everett, administrator for Post-Acute and Rehabilitation Services at North Mississippi Medical Center, is one of 18 women from 16 health organizations nationwide selected for the Carol Emmott Fellowship class of 2019. The Fellowship is a unique program for accomplished professionals who have demonstrated potential to ascend to senior executive and board-level roles.

            Fellows are nominated by their sponsoring organization and compete for acceptance into the program with a proposed impact project that transcends their current role to advance an area of health. They continue to work for their organizations during the fellowship, which provides them with more opportunities to increase their visibility in their health communities while building a network of relationships with other top leaders as they implement their impact projects.

            The program fills a crucial unmet need in overcoming gender disparity by accelerating the leadership capacity and impact of women leaders in health. Women are significantly underrepresented in senior executive and board-level positions in health. This inequity deprives the fields of health and medicine of the full range of talents, skills, and perspectives that gender parity affords.

            Everett, who is being sponsored by BDC Advisors for the 14-month program, began her career at NMMC in 1990. In her current role, she oversees care management and care transitions for post-acute services. She is a licensed certified social worker, a certified case manager, a licensed nursing home administrator, and serves as a surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities. Everett earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Mississippi State University in Starkville and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. A New Albany resident, Everett has a passion for leading initiatives to improve patient-centered care transitions.

            “Investing in women leaders will transform health care,” said Christine Malcolm, executive director of the Carol Emmott Fellowship. “The fellowship’s mission is shared by the men and women who hold executive positions today, see the gaps created by gender disparity, and are committed to serving as our advisors, mentors, and partners.”

            When fellows complete the program, they join the Carol Emmott Fellowship alumnae network. “Women begin the Carol Emmott Fellowship program with the talent and ideas needed to transform health care practice,” said Mary Pittman, DrPH, Carol Emmott Fellowship Board member and CEO and president of the for Women Leaders in Health for Public Health Institute. “And they emerge with the networks, concrete experience and support that make those ideas a reality. We’ve seen remarkable change as a result.”

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport Participates in Nationwide Clinical Trial for Heart Failure

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport is participating in a nationwide clinical trial for patients receiving treatment for heart failure. CONNECT-HF, sponsored by the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI), has 160 sites in the U.S. Memorial is the first and only hospital in Mississippi to be selected to participate in this clinical trial.

Participants are heart failure patients who have been recently hospitalized. The research team at the DCRI will follow-up with participants after discharge from the hospital at six-weeks, three-months, six-months, and one-year to gather data and learn more about heart failure, improve care, and to provide better support for patients in the future. Trial participants receive tips, ideas, and resources to help manage heart failure while under the care of their physicians.

“We are honored to participate in this nationwide clinical trial,” said Kent G. Nicaud, President/CEO, Memorial Hospital. “It is a credit to our team of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and case managers that Memorial was selected.”

Dr. Paul Mullen, Memorial Cardiologist, specializing in Invasive and Interventional Cardiology, will serve as the Principal Investigator, responsible for all clinical research activities at Memorial. To date, 24 patients at Memorial have enrolled. The nationwide enrollment for the trial is 7,040 patients.

An estimated 5.7 million adults in the United States have heart failure and face limitations in their everyday lives. Many symptoms can be managed with the proper medications, treatment plan, and prevention measures. Because many patients with heart failure can see great improvement in their health through an effective care plan, the researchers working on CONNECT-HF want to learn more about improving the quality of care related to heart failure.

Memorial Hospital was recently recognized as High Performing in Heart Failure for 2018-19 by U.S. News & World Report. This report is designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or for common elective procedures.

To learn more about CONNECT-HF, visit www.connectheartfailure.org or call (228) 575-2480.

2018 Dennis Cagle Emerging Leader

During the annual meeting of the MHA Society for Health Care Engineers & Facility Managers in November, Doug Liles, Jr., left, facility manager, Women’s and Systems at North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC), was named the 2018 Dennis Cagle Emerging Leader. He was nominated by Jason Lea, right, director of facility operations at NMMC. Doug has been with NMMC since 2006. He was promoted to his current position in 2016. Doug has an associate’s degree in electrical technology and HVAC and is currently studying for the Certified Emergency Power Systems Specialist for Healthcare, CEPSS-HC.

Latorre brings unique perspective as Mississippi Division of Medicaid’s first full-time medical director

Dr. Carlos Latorre earned two degrees in geology and worked at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg for six years before deciding he really wanted to study medicine. Now, after seven years of experience in family medicine, Latorre is switching gears again as he joins the Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM), becoming the agency’s first full-time medical director.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Latorre first came to Mississippi after high school to attend the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), following on the heels of his brother and sister who had already relocated to the Magnolia State. After earning his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in geology at USM in 1992 and 1994, respectively, he spent two years working at the John C. Stennis Space Center before being recruited by the ERDC and moving to Vicksburg.

“I really enjoyed it,” he said of his time at ERDC. “It was a great place to work, but I always had that interest in medicine. So I decided to go back to school and take courses to finish pre-med.”

After earning his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, Latorre returned to Mississippi for family medicine residency training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center from 2008-11.

“I always had an interest in primary care,” he said. “My father was a general practitioner, and my brother works in emergency medicine, so I always knew I wanted to work in primary care. I felt that family medicine encompassed everything – you get to do a little bit of everything, so that was what cemented that for me.”

Latorre worked as a family physician in Vicksburg for six years before serving as deputy chief medical officer for the Veterans Health Administration in Texas for one year. Those experiences gave him a unique outlook that he hopes will be valuable in his new role at DOM.

“When I worked in Texas I worked with a large population, and it gave me perspective of how to approach population health,” he said. “Family medicine is very holistic in the sense that you treat a lot of people, and a lot of the goals of family medicine are goals for population health. I thought that my background in family medicine and the work I had done at the VA could help me do this job.”

Latorre succeeds Dr. Tami Brooks, who served as part-time medical director at DOM from late 2014-June 2018, and Dr. Jason Dees, who served as interim medical director from July-November 2018. Latorre began his new role on Nov. 26.

“With his first-hand experience in caring for Medicaid beneficiaries and his strong connections in the medical community, Dr. Latorre is an excellent addition to the DOM team,” said Drew Snyder, executive director. “Dr. Latorre will serve as a bridge between DOM and the provider community, lend his medical expertise to strategic policy initiatives and improve the overall quality of our clinical operations.”

Latorre lives in Vicksburg with his wife and their 15-year-old daughter.

HealthSouth Gulfport to unveil new name and brand through community celebration

HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Gulfport will unveil its new name and brand as part of its Management Company’s name change and rebranding initiative. Beginning Jan. 1, the inpatient rehabilitation hospital will be known as Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, a partner of Memorial Hospital at Gulfport. It will continue to provide the same high-quality, post-acute care for patients overcoming a variety of major illnesses and injuries.

To celebrate the new brand, a community celebration will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 2 from 2-3:00 p.m. at the hospital, located at 4500 16^th St. in Gulfport. The event is open to the public and will be hosted in the hospital lobby. Amber Hester, CEO of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Gulfport, will be presenting at the brand unveiling event. Refreshments will be provided.

“Our new Encompass Health brand reflects more than the change of our name. It reinforces our commitment to working together to continuously improve the care we provide our patients,” said Amber Hester. “With a focus on clinical collaboration and strengthening relationships, we will continue to play an important role in making a difference in the lives of our patients.”

Birmingham, Alabama-based HealthSouth Corporation launched its new name and brand on Jan. 1, 2018 and will be transitioning its 130 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and 273 home health and hospice locations serving 36 states and Puerto Rico through 2019. All of the Company’s post-acute care service locations will have migrated to the Encompass Health name and branding on Jan. 1, 2019.