Health Systems Work Together to Benefit Biloxi Community
4/4/2022
BILOXI, Miss.(Apr. 4, 2022) – Merit Health Biloxi and Memorial Health System, who formed an affiliation in 2020, are finding targeted ways to work together to enhance the delivery of healthcare services in and around Biloxi. While both health systems continue to operate independently, this affiliation benefits the Mississippi Gulf Coast community in many ways.
The affiliation has enabled the expansion of capabilities and fostered regional provider relationships in cardiology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, medical oncology, radiation oncology and neurology, which means increased access to care and services for patients.
In March, the affiliation enabled Merit Health Biloxi to launch an interventional cardiac program, bringing a much needed service to the Biloxi community. This new program includes a cardiac catheterization lab staffed by Memorial’s board-certified interventional cardiologists, who are now members of the Merit Health Biloxi medical staff.
“When it comes to matters of the heart, time is of the essence,” said Rachael Williams, RN, BSN, MSN, chief nursing officer, Merit Health Biloxi. “Having a cath lab in Biloxi enables residents to receive necessary medical interventions in a more timely fashion, which supports better clinical outcomes.” Prior to the opening of Merit Health Biloxi’s cath lab, patients were transferred by ambulance to hospitals in other cities, which can delay treatment.
Through the affiliation, in addition to the cath lab, Memorial providers are now on the medical staff at Merit Health Biloxi and are delivering care in the Emergency Department, caring for inpatients via the hospitalist program, and providing anesthesia services..
The affiliation also has generated capital investments at Merit Health Biloxi to enhance and expand capabilities. For example, more equipment has been purchased for the hospital’s gastroenterology suites, enabling providers to do more procedures and making it easier for patients to access these services.
“Each day, our team works toward achieving our mission of healing, inspiring, and transforming the health of our community. Our affiliation with Merit Health Biloxi advances this mission to ensure that patients in Biloxi, and the greater Mississippi Gulf Coast region, have increased access to care,” said Memorial Health System President & CEO Kent Nicaud. Landon Hise, CEO, Merit Health Biloxi, adds, “We are pleased with the benefits the affiliation has brought to the community and we look forward to the opportunities this affiliation will bring in the future, enabling us to continually improve quality, patient experience and access to care.”
Signage reflecting this relationship will be installed in five Merit Health Biloxi facilities beginning this week. Below are examples of the signage that will be installed at the imaging center locations and the Merit Health Biloxi campus.
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