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BILOXI, MS – (November 22, 2022) An estimated 1 in 5 American adults suffers from GERD, a chronic condition caused by changes in the gastroesophageal valve (GEV) that allow contents to flow from the stomach back into the esophagus. GERD often leads to bothersome symptoms ranging from mild or moderate to severe depending on the individual. For Leta Phillips, her symptoms included heartburn, nausea, and feelings of indigestion and lumps in the throat. “It didn’t matter what I ate,” Phillips said, “I still... ... Read More

Millions of Americans struggle with seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), each year. Commonly brought on during the fall and winter, the condition can occur during any seasonal change and last as long as four or five months. People with SAD may feel lethargic or moody and tend to sleep more. Symptoms also can include social withdrawal, trouble concentrating, weight gain, and feelings of depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, women and those living farther ... ... Read More

Strokes, or “brain attacks,” claim the lives of nearly 160,000 Americans each year. As the fifth leading killer and the most common cause of disability, strokes devastate individuals and families every day. However, strokes can be prevented by up to 80% through adopting a healthy lifestyle and controlling stroke risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. According to the National Stroke Association, two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing the risk of... ... Read More

BILOXI, Miss. (November 8, 2022) – Merit Health Biloxi has named Travis Sisson as the hospital’s new chief executive officer (CEO) effective November 28, 2022. Sisson has more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, most recently serving as chief operating officer (COO) of Longview Regional Medical Center in Longview, Texas. In this role and throughout his career, he has led service line development, recruited physicians to grow services locally and supported efforts to enhance quality of car... ... Read More

Schedule appointments, tests and surgeries to maximize your health plan benefits before year end Vicksburg, MS, November 7, 2022 – As the holidays approach, it’s easy to forget to take advantage of your insurance benefits. Now is a good time to review your outstanding health care needs and take full advantage of paid-up deductibles or available funds in Flexible Spending Accounts while you still can. “In considering their health care needs, people should also consider the best strategy for using their a... ... Read More

Schedule appointments, tests and surgeries to maximize your health plan benefits before year end Hattiesburg, MS - As the holidays approach, it’s easy to forget to take advantage of your insurance benefits. Now is a good time to review your outstanding health care needs and take full advantage of paid-up deductibles or available funds in Flexible Spending Accounts while you still can. “When discussing health care needs with their doctor, people should also consider the best strategy for using their heal... ... Read More

2023 is fast-approaching: scheduling necessary appointments, tests and surgeries now makes sense When New Year’s Day 2023 rolls around, the slate will be wiped clean and everyone will gain a fresh start to another new year. The slate that’s wiped clean also will include the tally of healthcare expenses you’ve incurred through 2022 which count toward your deductible. “Now’s the time to play it smart and check to see if you’ve met your deductible,” says Brett Maxfield, chief operating officer at Merit Hea... ... Read More

As a parent or loved one grows older, mild memory lapses are natural and common. People often become more forgetful as they age – and these episodes are sometimes endearing, but more often worrisome for family members. It’s important to distinguish between occasional forgetfulness and memory problems that may signal a serious health condition, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Typical symptoms of mild forgetfulness include difficulty remembering familiar words or names, misplacing items, or taking longer to ... ... Read More

Brad Polk, MSN, R.N., has been promoted to chief nursing officer at Merit Health Madison according to the hospital’s CEO Brit Phelps. Polk has over 17 years of nursing experience, 12 of those at Merit Health Central, where he served as assistant chief nursing officer for the last four years. His experience at the hospital prior to that includes time as director of the intensive care and cardiovascular recovery. Polk has also worked as a critical care charge nurse at Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg an... ... Read More

Employees of Merit Health hospitals are eligible for enhanced benefits designed as pathways to help them eliminate existing student debt faster, pursue additional professional education, and advance their careers. The goal in offering Merit Health Pathways benefits is to support and retain employees and attract a strong workforce, especially frontline nurses, technicians, therapists and other clinicians and caregivers, along with support personnel. Benefits include a student loan repayment program that ... ... Read More