Merit Health River Region is Vital to Vicksburg
4/18/2024
Delivers essential medical services and broad impact to the larger community
Vicksburg, MS – Over the course of 2023, Merit Health River Region played a vital role in helping people get well and live healthier at more than 211,000 patient encounters across its hospital, Merit Health Medical Group physician clinics and other outpatient sites of care. The essential nature of services Merit Health River Region provides was particularly clear in the aftermath of March’s tornado that affected Rolling Fork, Miss., when critically needed care delivered in the emergency room and at the disaster site field hospital helped our community heal.
At more than 25,000 emergency department visits each year, lifesaving medically necessary care is provided for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Members of the community who cannot fully afford their medical care are provided deep discounts or even charity care and the hospital has resources to help them secure medications and medical support devices. Last year, Merit Health River Region provided more than $239 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable.
“Merit Health River Region plays a vital role in our community around the clock, every day of the year to help people get well and live healthier,” said David Fox, chief executive officer for Merit Health River Region. “Regardless of holidays or challenging weather, our dedicated team of clinicians and caregivers are using their skills, experience, and compassion in service to the patients who are counting on us.”
Other support for social determinants of health in the community includes financial donations for charitable organizations such as United Way of West Central Mississippi, Project Search, and acts of service such as the Jars of Love drive collecting peanut and other nut butters for the Storehouse Community Food Pantry.
Merit Health River Region applies its resources to medical services, facilities and technologies that patients want to access close to home. These include work to strengthen primary care, urology, and general surgery through the recruitment of new providers. Access has been enhanced with the opening of a primary care clinic on Pemberton Square Boulevard for patient convenience.
Capital improvements totaling more than $16 million were made to the hospital, including renovations to the geriatric behavioral health unit and the telemetry system upgrade to enhance the patient experience.
Civic resources and services are supported by Merit Health River Region’s tax payments of more than $9 million, and the payroll of more than $57 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services.
Workforce development remains a priority, and strong relationships with local nursing programs and nursing intern programs with the state of Mississippi through universities and community colleges. Investments are being made to help team members achieve their personal and professional goals through assistance with student loan repayments, as well as tuition reimbursement.
Fox continued, “The vital care we provide is only one part of the broad impact we have that adds up to more than $329 million last year. We recognize that our services are essential to this community and we are committed to doing all we can to provide quality health care and make Warren County a healthier, better community for all.”
To help the community live healthier, Merit Health River Region offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox. Sign up at https://www.merithealthriverregion.com/enewsletter-sign-up.
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