Newsroom

NATCHEZ, MS -- Merit Health Natchez has developed an exciting new initiative designed to empower our community to live longer, healthier lives. Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a Longer, Healthier Life is a FREE 12-day, longevity-focused email series launching on Sept. 15. According to the CDC, Americans’ average lifespan is longer than ever – 74.8 years for men and 80 for women. But Americans’ healthspan – how long a person is healthy and free of disease – is decreasing. Baby Boomers are more likely than the... ... Read More

Hattiesburg, MS (08/26/25) – Merit Health Wesley has developed an exciting new initiative designed to empower our community to live longer, healthier lives. Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a Longer, Healthier Life is a FREE 12-day, longevity-focused email series launching on Sept. 15. According to the CDC, Americans’ average lifespan is longer than ever – 74.8 years for men and 80 for women. But Americans’ healthspan – how long a person is healthy and free of disease – is decreasing. Baby Boomers are more li... ... Read More

Merit Health Wesley officials, joined by nursing school leaders from the University of Southern Mississippi, William Carey University and Pearl River Community College, celebrate the opening of the new Clinical Education Center for nursing students at the hospital. "Our partners in nursing education are vital for creating a strong, well-prepared, and innovative nursing workforce that can effectively meet the evolving needs of the healthcare system," said Travis Sisson, chief executive officer of Merit H... ... Read More

Vicksburg, MS, August 13, 2025. – Merit Health River Region has announced the appointment of Nicholas “Nick” Arledge as its new chief executive officer, effective August 11, 2025. Arledge brings more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, combining both administrative and clinical expertise, to his new role in Vicksburg. Arledge joins Merit Health River Region from Carlsbad Medical Center (CMC) in Carlsbad, New Mexico, where he served as CEO since 2021. During his tenure, he led CMC through ... ... Read More

The summer heat is on, and many experts predict that 2025 could surpass 2024 as the hottest year on record in the United States. According to Matthew Wiggins, M.D., emergency department physician at Merit Health Wesley, warmer temperatures often bring more patients to the ER with symptoms of heat-related illnesses. “An increase in outdoor activity is one of the reasons we all enjoy the summer months, but heat waves can create dangerous conditions for anyone spending a prolonged amount of time outside,” ... ... Read More

HATTIESBURG, MS – The recent diagnosis of former President Joe Biden with an aggressive form of prostate cancer underscores the importance of routine screening for men as they age. However, according to a recent poll from the American Cancer Society, nearly two-thirds of men aged 55-69 have not been screened for prostate cancer. Robert Watson, D.O., with Merit Health in Purvis, located at 5808 US Hwy 11, says those at average risk of prostate cancer should talk with their provider about screening around... ... Read More

The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus award for proven dedication to ensuring all stroke patients have access to best practices and life-saving care FLOWOOD, MS, July 22, 2025 — Merit Health River Oaks has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke: Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidel... ... Read More

Merit Health Medical Group is proud to welcome Erin Bass, FNP-C, to its growing team of healthcare providers. Erin joins Dr. Donald Baker and Reagan Vaughn, PA, at two Merit Health orthopedic clinics, one located at 2841 MS-18 A, Brandon, and the other located at 1860 Chadwick Drive, Suite 150 A, in Jackson. Erin brings extensive experience in orthopedic care and a deep commitment to helping patients restore mobility and live pain-free. As a certified family nurse practitioner, she provides diagnosis an... ... Read More

Merit Health is excited to announce that board-certified interventional cardiologist Julia Thompson, M.D., is now seeing patients at a new location at 200 Key Drive in Madison, in addition to her current practice in Flowood. This expansion reflects Merit Health’s ongoing commitment to increasing access to high-quality, specialized care in the communities we serve. By offering cardiology services in Madison, Dr. Thompson is helping make it more convenient for local residents to receive heart care without... ... Read More

The summer heat is on, and many experts predict that 2025 could surpass 2024 as the hottest year on record in the United States. According to Merit Health River Oaks' emergency department director, Malisa Walters, RN, BSN, CEN, warmer temperatures often bring more patients to the ER with symptoms of heat-related illnesses. “An increase in outdoor activity is one of the reasons we all enjoy the summer months, but heat waves can create dangerous conditions for anyone spending a prolonged amount of time ou... ... Read More