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September 25, 2020 – Christy Anderson, MSNEd, RN, NPD-BC, has been named director of emergency services at Merit Health Rankin. Anderson joins Merit Health Rankin from HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe in Conroe, Texas where she served as director of clinical operations as well as director of education. She has previously served as a nurse in the areas of geri-psych, telemetry, ICU, ED, and cardiac cath lab. She earned her BS in nursing and MS in education from Grand Canyon University. With over 17 years of... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. –August 7, 2020 —Merit Health Natchez will be hosting a Community Blood Drive with the American Red Cross on Wednesday, August 12 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. All healthy individuals are encouraged to give blood now to ensure a steady supply for patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions, as well as to ensure hospitals have the blood needed to save lives. Representatives with the American Red Cross will be located in a private area on the first floor of the hospital during the hours mentioned.... ... Read More

Program increases to 67 resident physicians HATTIESBURG –Merit Health Wesley’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency program, which has seen great success since its inception in July 2015, recently held a virtual graduation for 23 resident physicians. At the same time, the GME program welcomed a new class of 28 first-year residents. The program now includes 25 emergency medicine, 30 internal medicine and 13 transitional year residents. The program started with two areas of focus, Emergency Medicine... ... Read More

System Has Helped Dramatically Improve Need for Second Surgeries Following Lumpectomies Flowood, July 1, 2020 – Merit Health Woman’s Hospital has installed a new 3D specimen tomosynthesis imaging system to help breast cancer surgeons better visualize tumors during lumpectomy procedures. The system has been shown to dramatically improve surgeons’ and facilities’ re-excision rate, the rate at which second surgeries need to be performedfollowing a lumpectomy due to lingering cancer cells. The specimen tomo... ... Read More

Joey Crain has been named senior care director at Merit Health Rankin. Crain is a registered nurse with a master of nursing/healthcare administration degree from The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. With over 20 years of healthcare experience, Crain provides oversight to the geriatric inpatient behavioral health unit. In his role, he manages the day to day activities of the unit, patient care and community outreach. The majority of Crain’s healthcare career has been serving individua... ... Read More

Health and Safety of our Patients and Employees Remain our Top Priority NATCHEZ, Miss. – June 8, 2020 — Effective today, Merit Health Natchez is announcing new guidelines for hospital visitation. “Throughout the pandemic, the health and safety of our patients and employees continues to be our top priority,” said Lance Boyd, CEO of Merit Health Natchez. “As we continue to monitor patient access and flow, adhere to our strict safety measures in place, as well as follow guidelines provided by the Centers f... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. –May 8, 2020 —Merit Health Natchez is urging the local community to seek emergency care when needed – without delay. If you experience a medical emergency such as chest pain that may be a heart attack or stroke symptoms, getting care timely will support the best possible outcome. As the hospital responds to COVID-19 it is taking extra precautions, going above and beyond all normal efforts, to keep the hospital clean and safe for patients and caregivers. The latest campaign by the American... ... Read More

Mississippi Governor’s Executive Order Restrictions on Elective Procedures Expired Monday NATCHEZ, Miss. – April 27, 2020 — Patients who have delayed surgery or other non-emergency procedures can now work with their physician to secure care as Merit Health Natchez resumes some outpatient elective services starting this week. The hospital is following Executive Order 1477 issued by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, allowing healthcare facilities to resume performing non-emergent, elective medical procedu... ... Read More

Healthcare executive Barry Moss has been promoted to the role of chief executive officer for Merit Health’s Jackson Market. Moss currently serves as CEO of Merit Health Central, and will continue in this position, which he has held for the past three years. In his expanded role, Moss will also have oversight for Merit Health Rankin, Merit Health River Oaks and Merit Health Woman’s Hospital. The CEOs of these hospitals will continue in their roles. “I’m honored to support the work of Merit Health physici... ... Read More

Law enforcement officers standing at attention and performing other duties at the funeral service of a fellow officer is a regular occurrence. Now, thanks to a nurse at Merit Health in Jackson, other devoted nurses are being afforded the same ceremonial reverence and tributes at their funeral services. Connie Williams, AGACNP-BC, felt members of her profession deserved a similar display of respect at the end of their lives and formed the Mississippi Nurse Honor Guard last year. Starting out with only fi... ... Read More