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Merit Health Woman’s Hospital recently honored the 2020 Employee of the Year, Clinical Manager of the Year, and Non-Clinical Manager of the Year. The 2020 Employee of the Year is Jessica Ragan, RN. Jessica serves as the Informatics Nurse, Clinical Systems Analyst, and Patient Experience Champion. “Jessica is flexible and willing to cover when and wherever she is needed,” says Heather Sistrunk, Chief Executive Officer of Merit Health Woman’s Hospital. “She is extremely IT tech savvy and collaborates dail... ... Read More

One-time treatment can eliminate up to six weeks of radiotherapy while reducing exposure to COVID-19 [FLOWOOD, MS – JANUARY, 22, 2021] – Merit Health Woman’s Hospital is the first hospital in Mississippi to offer single-dose intraoperative radiotherapy for qualifying early-stage breast cancer patients. This advanced treatment can completely replace the three- to six-week course of traditional external beam radiation by administering a targeted dose of radiation during the patient’s tumor removal surgery... ... 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

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

Melissa Smith, CPCS, has assumed the role of manager of the Merit Health Market Centralized Verification Office. Smith, who grew up in Raleigh, MS, has served as the manager of Merit Health Central’s medical staff services department since 2016, and has over 24 years of experience in medical staff credentialing. Merit Health’s chief quality officer, Kim Harrell, MHA, BSN, CNOR, RN, stated “Merit Health is pleased to provide our medical providers one centralized department with which to work and apply fo... ... Read More

Kim Harrell, MHA, BSN, CNOR, R.N., has assumed the role of Merit Health market chief quality officer. Harrell most recently served as the Chief Quality Officer at Merit Health Central, a position she held nearly four years. Utilizing over 18 years of leadership experience, she will provide oversight to the quality departments in the six Merit Health hospitals in Jackson and Vicksburg. A Jackson, MS, native, Harrell completed her master’s in healthcare administration at Belhaven University. Merit Health’... ... Read More

Posted with permission from Well-Being magazine, as featured in their May/June issue Late last year, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology released new cholesterol guidelines that include recommendations for more personalized risk assessments and new cholesterol-lowering drug options for people at the highest risk for cardiovascular disease. According to AHA President Ivor Benjamin, M.D., the updated guidelines reinforce the importance of healthy living, lifestyle modific... ... Read More

The Mississippi Braves and Merit Health have announced a partnership that will give citizens access to “Walk the Park” at Trustmark Park throughout the calendar year. Beginning Monday, April 22 with a ceremonial walk at 10 a.m. prior to the M-Braves 10:35 a.m. game vs. the Montgomery Biscuits, the Trustmark Park 360 degree concourse will be available to walk any time, year round, during team business hours. Participants will also be allowed to bring in food items and have use of the stadium picnic table... ... Read More

Join us for a monthly breast cancer support group at Merit Health Woman's Hospital: April 30 May 28 June 25 July 30 August 27 September 24 October 29 November 26 All meetings take place from 5:30-6:30 pm in Classroom A at Merit Health Woman’s Hospital, (which is located on the right hand side of the hospital) at 1026 N. Flowood Drive, Flowood, MS 39232. For more information, call (601) 933-6159. Download our flyer. ... Read More

Smart planning and healthy eating strategies this holiday season can help reduce symptoms of common gastrointestinal conditions. A gastrointestinal (GI) disorder can make holiday buffets and dinners seem like an arsenal of potential stomach problems. Avoiding these food triggers can help you eat, drink and be merry. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) To help keep the burning sensation of GERD from spoiling your celebration, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)... ... Read More