SOUTHWEST HEALTH SYSTEM, UMMC ANNOUNCE HEALTH CARE AFFILIATION

From Southwest Health System Public Relations and the University of Mississippi Medical Center Communications and Marketing

SOUTHWEST HEALTH SYSTEM, UMMC ANNOUNCE HEALTH CARE AFFILIATION

Media contacts: Tina Brumfield, Southwest Health System, at (601) 249-5500 or tina.brumfield@smrmc.com; or Ruth Cummins, UMMC, at (601) 984-1104 or ricummins@umc.edu

JACKSON, Miss. - A new affiliation between Southwest Health System in McComb and the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson will strengthen and expand health care services in McComb and Southwest Mississippi.

The affiliation brings the advanced health care offerings of Mississippi’s only academic medical center to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, a 165-bed, progressive hospital with a medical staff of nearly 100 physicians representing 12 medical specialties.

The working relationship allows 1,200-employee Southwest Health System to enhance its strong medical staff, expand its health care services and improve access to treatment through UMMC’s medical outreach. The agreement allows UMMC and Southwest to explore future research and education opportunities.

Expanded access to state-of-the-art care will enable more McComb-area residents to stay home for treatment, said Kevin Cook, chief executive officer of the UMMC Health System.

“As health care resources continue to shrink, collaboration among providers is essential,” Cook said. “We are excited about our affiliation with SMRMC and look forward to working with the hospital and community to ensure that region’s health needs are addressed for many years to come.”

“For several months, our board, medical staff and administrative team have worked together on this affiliation process,” said Norman M. Price, Southwest Health System chief executive officer. “Our goal was to find the best fit for not only our hospital and employees, but also for our patients and our community.

“We feel this affiliation with UMMC meets our present as well as our future expectations.”

In addition to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, Southwest Health System encompasses 12 specialty clinics near the hospital including the Cardiovascular Institute of Mississippi, Mississippi Cancer Institute, Norman M. Price Ambulatory Surgery Center, St. Luke Home Health & Hospice, Digestive Diseases Center, Southwest Center for Rehabilitation, and Southwest Regional Women’s Center Maternity Suites.

The system also includes three family practice clinics, two in McComb and one in Lawrence County, and the nonprofit Lawrence County Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Monticello.

"This partnership will enable us to provide exceptional care to the patients and families that we serve throughout our community,” said Dr. Kevin Richardson, Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center chief medical officer.

The affiliation with Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center is one of many collaborative business relationships UMMC has, in a variety of formats, with hospitals and other health care entities in Mississippi and other states.

“This affiliation with Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center allows UMMC to broaden and strengthen our continued efforts to collaborate with health systems across the state and the region, for the ultimate benefit of the patients we all serve,” said Dr. Charles O’Mara, associate vice chancellor for clinical affairs.

About Southwest Health System

Southwest Health System is an integrated health care delivery network serving residents of Southwest Mississippi. As one of the most comprehensive health care resources in Southwest Mississippi, Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center is a modern facility with 165 licensed beds offering advanced equipment and a broad range of services to our patients, including St. Luke Home Health & Hospice and The Pharmacy @ The Medical Center. Our physicians and other health care professionals remain on the forefront of modern healing. SMRMC’s Emergency Services is a Level III Trauma Center.

Lawrence County Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital, has provided community care since 1960. Lawrence County is a not-for-profit institution. For more information, visit www.smrmc.com

About the University of Mississippi Medical Center

UMMC is the state’s only academic medical center. Its education, research and health care missions share the objectives of improving the health of the state’s population and eliminating health disparities.

Located in Jackson, UMMC encompasses seven health science schools, including medicine, nursing, health related professions, dentistry, pharmacy, graduate studies and population health. The Medical Center’s health care enterprise includes the state’s only Level I trauma center, only children’s hospital, and only organ and bone marrow transplant program. The Medical Center also is home to a Telehealth Center of Excellence, one of two in the nation.

For more information, visit www.umc.edu and click here to view news and features stories produced by UMMC Communications and Marketing.

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