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Pay attention to the warning signs and don’t let the pandemic stop you. We’ve changed habits and actions to protect our health during the pandemic, but one thing still remains the same – we need to take quick action with a possible heart attack or stroke. Life-threatening blockages and arrhythmias need timely detection and treatment to support the best possible outcome. Waiting to get help can increase the damage to heart muscle or brain tissue. Merit Health has resources ready to support diagnosis and ... ... Read More

Merit Health Rankin 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 Beverly Larabee, RN. Beverly serves as the Nursing Supervisor. “Beverly is dedicated to her co-workers and our patients. For her, going above and beyond on a daily basis is the norm. She is highly respected and admired by our hospital administrators, physicians, and her peers,” says Heather Sistrunk, Chief Executive Officer of Merit Heal... ... Read More

Leaders of Merit Health announced today the availability of a toll-free helpline designed to help Medicare beneficiaries select a health plan that fits their needs and budget. The free helpline connects callers with licensed agents who can assist in comparing traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Supplement and Prescription plans, and then facilitate enrollment in the plan selected. Through this program it will be easier for Medicare beneficiaries to find a plan that is best for them during Medicare... ... Read More

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

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

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