CHECKUP. inside. Bariatric Surgery Changes Lives Eight staff members of North. January 8, 2010

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1 January 8, 2010 Volume 18 Number 1 Award...2 Four Decades...3 West Tower...4 EOM...5 Spirit Of Women...5 NMHS Board...6 Board...6 Counseling...6 Service Pins...7 Med Staff Chairman...8 inside Volunteer Of Year...8 A CHECKUP PUBLICATION FOR NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER EMPLOYEES Bariatric Surgery Changes Lives Eight staff members of North Mississippi Medical Center s Surgical Services can testify firsthand that the Bariatric Center changes lives for the better. Four Short Stay Surgery employees, two from Recovery Room and two from Anesthesia Services have undergone weight loss surgery since s bariatric surgery program began in Terry Pinson, M.D., who serves as medical director of the Bariatric Center, performs three types of weight loss procedures laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery and laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Kim Wilson, RN, of Anesthesia Services was the first and has lost 80 pounds since having laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery in October In this procedure, a silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach and filled with saline. This creates a new, smaller stomach pouch that can hold only a small amount of food. The gastric band is the least invasive of the three procedures, as it does not require stomach cutting and stapling or gastrointestinal re-routing to bypass normal digestion. In December 2007, Pam Stein, RN, of Anesthesia Services had laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery and has since lost 85 pounds. I have been Continued on page 2 Surgical Services employees Lee Byars, Kim Wilson, Tammy Sullivan, Renee Haithcock, Donnie Thornton, Amy Harrington, Rebecca Patterson and Pam Stein all look and feel great after having weight loss surgery at.

2 Bariatric Surgery Continued from page 1 overweight my whole life, but it wasn t until I turned 40 that I realized I had to do something about it, Stein said. I love being able to get out and play tennis without my joints hurting, being able to exercise and just feeling good at the end of the day. Four staff members had laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery in 2008: Tammy Sullivan, who works at the Surgical Services information desk, in February; followed by Renee Haithcock, RN, of Recovery Room in June, film clerk Donnie Thornton in August and Short Stay s Amy Harrington, RN, that December. I had a lot of medical problems before that I don t have now, said Sullivan, who no longer takes daily medication and has changed her eating and exercise habits. I feel good about myself and I feel good when I get up in the mornings. Haithcock, who had battled her weight since she was a child, said she was tired all the time and knew her weight would lead to serious health issues. Now that she has lost 82 pounds, she says the best part is being able to wear normal size clothes. For Thornton, surgery was the one tool that worked. I ve been on a lot of different diets and when I d lose, I d usually gain back more than what I d lost, Thornton said. After surgery she lost 95 pounds and was able to stop taking her blood pressure medication. Harrington has lost 90 pounds over the last year. Also in December 2008, Lee Byars, RN, of the Recovery Room had laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Byars had been diagnosed with hypertension and sleep apnea, and was beginning to have problems with her joints. I started trying to diet, and the regain would be greater every time, she said. The weight just continued to go up over the years. The most common weight loss surgery, gastric bypass creates a very small upper stomach pouch less than one ounce by transecting the stomach. Because it doesn t take much food or liquid to fill the new, small pouch, the person enjoys eating a lot less. In addition, food is not absorbed as well as it once was, contributing to rapid weight loss. In just over a year Byars has lost 135 pounds. In my job I m on my feet all day long. I find now that when I go home at the end of the shift, I feel good, she said. My energy level has improved. I m able to get out and play basketball with my nephews and enjoy the time I spend with them. Rebecca Patterson, RN, of Short Stay Surgery started having weight problems after her first pregnancy almost 16 years ago, and her weight escalated after a back injury two years ago. Patterson has already lost 56 pounds since having laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery in June My lifestyle has changed tremendously, she said. I would do it again in a heartbeat. All agree that they are inspired by each other s success. We have a good support group, Thornton said. You see others losing and it makes you want to do better. If we don t do right, we get on to each other. For anyone considering surgery, Byars offers this advice: Spend some time researching all the options that are available and make an informed decision as to what kind of surgery you want to have and do it. It s worth it. To learn if bariatric surgery is right for you, talk to your doctor or visit Why Weight? Dr. Terry Pinson will present Weight Loss Surgery 101 for employees from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, in the Cora Fields Auditorium, North Education Center. The program will also be broadcast via V-tel. Topics will include weight loss surgery s health benefits and risks; different types of weight loss surgery; who is a good candidate; questions to ask a physician; what to expect before, during and after surgery; advanced techniques and technologies; and insurance coverage. This is an unpaid class. Employees must coordinate their participation with their supervisor and badge out before leaving their work area. Rehab Institute Earns Innovative Programming Award s Rehabilitation Institute and Skilled Nursing Facility recently won the Mississippi Recreation and Parks Association award for Therapeutic Agency or Special Event in Recognition of Outstanding Examples of Innovative Programming and Integration. January 8, 2010 Page 2

3 Lab Pair Celebrate Four Decades The field of pathology has seen many changes over the last four decades. Judy Harrison and Annie Jennings, two employees in North Mississippi Medical Center s Pathology Department, have experienced all of those changes firsthand. Harrison, director of the department, and Jennings, histology technologist, celebrated four decades of service at in Harrison started at on June 5, 1969, while Jennings first day of work was Oct. 6 of that year. Annie and I both started out here and received our training here, Harrison said. If it weren t for this hospital, we wouldn t have had the opportunities for training in our field of laboratory science. Harrison was born at and worked as a Girl Scout volunteer at the hospital. She joined as a medical secretary and clerk in Pathology. Harrison was the first recipient of the Paul Hamblin Memorial Scholarship, which is given to medical technology students in honor of Hamblin, who served as director of the Pathology Department from After completing her bachelor s degree in medical technology from Mississippi State University, Harrison received a master s degree in health care administration from Central Michigan University. While many of the processes have changed, one constant during their time at has been a close group of coworkers. The people here have really had an impact on my life, Harrison said. You spend more time here than you do at home so it s like a second family. Before being promoted to administrative director in 2000, Harrison served as assistant administrative director of the department for 22 years. Jennings worked as a student taking histology training and applied for the histology registry after a year. While many of the processes in the Pathology Department have become automated and changed significantly in the past 40 years, Jennings job is still very much hands-on. Since the time Harrison and Jennings joined, the Pathology Department has gone from doing 120,000 tests a year to now doing 1.3 million tests per year. Harrison is married with four children and seven grandchildren. She is the music director and plays piano at Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Blue Springs. Jennings and her husband Charles have two children and one grandchild. They attend Harrisburg Baptist Church. I feel so honored to have worked here for 40 years, Jennings said. I appreciate the respect I receive from everyone, who I love dearly. Whenever I see someone I don t know in the hallway and that person gives me a happy smile, I feel welcome and at home here. The greatest joy in life is doing what you enjoy. Histology is more than just a job to me. It is how I use my talent to help someone get a diagnosis. Judy Harrison (l) and Annie Jennings recently celebrated four decades of employment at North Mississippi Medical Center. Page 3 January 8, 2010

4 West Bed Tower Expansion Approved The Boards of Directors for North Mississippi Medical Center and its parent organization, North Mississippi Health Services, have approved a five-story west bed tower expansion project that will enlarge and upgrade 250 patient rooms. The project is in response to public feedback regarding shortcomings in patient rooms on the east and west nursing units, many of which were constructed almost 45 years ago. More than 140 planning sessions have been conducted with various constituencies including patients and their families, physicians, employees, various support groups, area citizens and elected officials. (A price increase is not anticipated for this project, as it should add less than 1 percent to the cost of providing care.) Highlights Include: A five-story expansion will be constructed to the west along South Gloster Street. Existing patient rooms will be enlarged from approximately 165 square feet to approximately 265 square feet. Each room will have three distinct zones one for the patient, the family and hospital staff. Patient area will include a comfortable bed, shower, built-in bedside table and wall closet, as well as a recliner. The patient will have bedside control of every thing in the room, including room temperature, lights and even opening or closing the window blinds. The patient will also have a wider view out the window 135-degree view as opposed to the current 90-degree. Staff area will include a desk and chair, as well as a sink for hand washing. Each of the five floors is designed to include 44 patient rooms. Sixteen rooms will be located in the existing area, and 28 new rooms will be constructed. A wide corridor will connect the two sections. For more information, visit tupelo/west_bed_tower.php. Updates will be provided throughout the construction project. Rendition of the west view of North Mississippi Medical Center after the completion of the west bed tower expansion project. January 8, 2010 Page 4

5 Proactive Approach Means Going Extra Mile Lillie Wooten, certified nurse s aide with North Mississippi Medical Center Home Health, was named Employee of the Month for October. Wooten joined in The Louisville resident graduated from Lexington High School. She works out of Home Health s Eupora branch. Lillie is an excellent employee, said Leslia Carter, director of s Home Health and Hospice. She is hardworking and dedicated to her job. She is always friendly and wears a smile. Her patients love her and sing her praises. Lillie is truly an asset to the agency. Lillie Wooten (second from right) was named s Employee of the Month for October. She is pictured with coworkers (from left) Debbie McGregor, Lynette Hunt and Leslia Carter, director of Home Health. Coworkers praise Wooten for her giving spirit and compassion for patients. Lillie is a home health aide who takes a proactive approach to her job and she is actively involved in the care of her patients and making sure that all their needs are met, said Home Health branch manager Debbie McGreger. Lillie Wooten is one of the best coworkers we have ever worked with, five of her coworkers wrote in her nomination. Lillie is always willing to jump in and help the other aides whenever we need it. Whether it is offering to see more visits or just giving us the moral support we need. We all love and appreciate her very much. Wooten said she strives to go the extra mile for all her patients. My philosophy is I give all that I know how to give to my patients, Wooten said. I use all the training and abilities I have to give them the care they need. She and her husband Silver have three grown children and seven grandchildren. The Wootens attend Rocky Hill M.B. Church in Louisville. Spirit Of Women Getaway Scheduled for January 16 Chef Cary Neff, who introduced the internationally acclaimed Conscious Cuisine and revolutionized healthy cooking, will headline s sixth annual Spirit of Women Getaway planned for Jan. 16, at the BancorpSouth Arena. Tickets are now on sale for $20. With the theme, Good taste. Good health. Good times, the event is sponsored by and BancorpSouth and encourages women to take a well-deserved day away, at least from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. that Saturday. Chef Neff has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, the Today show, Food Network, and Masterchef USA and has been profiled in The New York Times, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine and Condé Nast Traveler. Chef Neff currently serves as vice president of culinary for Morrison Management Specialists. Each Spirit of Women member who attends the Spirit of Women Getaway or joins that day will receive a free Spirit of Women apron and potholder set. The Spirit of Women Getaway will also feature fun and informative booths; shopping; free makeovers, massages and manicures; educational sessions; food vendors and scores of door prizes. Purchase tickets online at or charge by phone at (662) Tickets are also available at the Gift & Floral Shop; Women s Hospital; Wellness Centers in Baldwyn, Eupora, Iuka, Pontotoc, Tupelo and West Point. For more information, call Page 5 January 8, 2010

6 Bobby Martin Selected To Chair NMHS Board Bobby Martin, chairman of the board, president and CEO of The Peoples Bank and The Peoples Corporation in Ripley, is the new chairman of the North Mississippi Health Services Board of Directors. The NMHS Board of Directors is not paid, and we view their membership as a service to the community, said John Heer, NMHS president and chief executive officer. The directors volunteer many hours each month serving on the board itself and the various committees of the board. I look forward to the opportunity of serving this health care organization as chairman of the board, Martin said. During my term, I will work with board members and health care leadership to provide the best health care possible. Martin received his bachelor s degree from Mississippi State University and in 1974 graduated from Louisiana State University School of Banking. From he served as a United States Army cryptographer. Jim Kelley, president and chief operating officer of BancorpSouth in Tupelo, is the new chairman of the North Mississippi Medical Center Board of Directors. The Board of Directors provide great leadership and direction to our hospital, said Steve Altmiller, president. We re grateful for the time and effort the board puts in, and we welcome the leadership skills Mr. Kelley provides. Kelley received his bachelor s degree from Ouachita He is a member and past president of the Ripley Rotary Club, where he achieved the designation of Paul Harris Fellow. He has also served as chairman of the board of CREATE Foundation and as a board member and past president of the Mississippi State University Foundation. He currently serves as member of the Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi, chairman of the Workforce Development Committee and past chairman and past president of the Yocona Area Council Boy Scouts. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the MSU Alumni Association, the MSU National Alumnus of the Year, the MSU Distinguished Leadership Award, the Yocona Area Council 75 th Anniversary Celebration Great Leader Award and Outstanding Service Award, among others. Jim Kelley Selected To Chair Board Baptist University in Arkansas, and went on to attend the School of Bank Marketing at the University of Colorado. He received his graduate degree from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in Texas. Prior to joining BancorpSouth in 2000, he served as president, chairman and CEO of First United Bancshares Inc. in El Dorado, Ark. He also serves on the board of directors of Murphy Oil Corporation, USAble Corporation and Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield. He is former president of Arkansas Bankers Association and former president of the Tupelo Community Development Foundation. Weight Loss, Healthy Lifestyle Counseling Available Too busy to commit to an on-going weight management class? If so, we have a convenient solution, plus it s free! NMHS Health Plan participants are eligible for consultation with a registered dietitian about personal weight loss and healthy lifestyle goals. Normally each session would cost $40. Each enrolled employee is eligible to receive two 30-minute sessions with a registered dietitian in a calendar year. Sessions are held in the Employee Health office at the main facility. For an appointment to discuss healthier eating habits and weight loss tips, call Employee Health at (662) to answer a few quick questions based on your Live Well Health Risk Assessment. Sessions are held every Monday between 1-3 p.m. Remember that appointments must be made on your personal time, such as on breaks, lunch times or days off. January 8, 2010 Page 6

7 The following listed employees recently received service pins in recognition of service milestones. Five Years Baldwyn Nursing Facility Kelvin Grice -West Point Corey Fowler, Haley Hunt, Timothy White Clinics Kimberly Carrel Home Health Lee Ross -Iuka Terry Aday Candy Boutwell, Mike Denham, Linda Dunlap, Shane Hill, Jennifer Little, Jeffrey Moon, Amanda Smith, Teresa Strawn, Summer Swinney, Jessica White, Donna Witt, Julie Wyatt -Pontotoc Cindy Dillard, Lisa Lawrence, Betty Lipsey, Celina Williams -Eupora Stephanie Ashley, Jennifer Putnam Women s Hospital Sabrina Browning, Patricia Carpenter Work Link Sharon Bramlitt Ten Years -West Point Teresa McMillian, Rebecca Mitchener, Khrissie Walker Clinics Kelly Peters, Magdelene Spradlin -Iuka Jill Long, Barbara Morris -Hamilton Betty Higgins, Tammi Holbrook NMHS Christie Tate Wanda Barr, Shannon Carroll, Dorothy Owen, Heather Palmer, Sarah Pannell, Marge Stephens Service Pins Awarded Fifteen Years Behavioral Health Mary Goysich Clinics Cynthia Fowler, Christy Holloway, Katina O Neal -Hamilton Amanda Taylor Nita Ailey, Paulette Miller, Rhonda Park, Rhonda Pridmore -Eupora Sandra Barry Twenty Years Baldwyn Nursing Facility Rhonda Saunders Behavioral Health Cheryl Lindsey Clinics Sherry Stancil Home Health Donna Benefield, Linda Chatman, Debra Harper, Dawn Pate, Shirley Ward -Iuka Lester Carpenter Tupelo Service Finance Artherine Foster Women s Hospital Vanita Southward Thirty Years Renee Belk, Beverly Hawkins, John Mabry Thirty-Five Years Penny Brown Forty Years NMHS Willie Satterwhite Forty-Five Years -Pontotoc Brenda Roye Page 7 January 8, 2010

8 Charles Pigott, M.D., Elected Med Staff Chairman Surgeon Charles Pigott, M.D., was recently elected chairman of the North Mississippi Medical Center medical staff for Dr. Pigott earned a bachelor s degree in chemistry and biology from Delta State University in Cleveland and completed his medical training at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson. He completed his surgical residency training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is a member of the Northeast Mississippi Medical Society, the Mississippi State Medical Association, and he is a fellow of both the Southeastern Surgical Congress and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Pigott serves as clinical associate professor of surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is also on the Health Link utilization review committee and the Health Link Board of Directors. He is a surgical review physician for the Mississippi Foundation for Medical Care and serves as co-director of trauma service for. Dr. Pigott is board certified by the American Board of Surgery. He practices at the Surgery Clinic of Tupelo. Elvira Blanchard Selected Volunteer Of Year Elvira Blanchard of Tupelo has been honored as North Mississippi Medical Center s Volunteer of the Year for Blanchard was recognized during s Volunteer Awards Luncheon held Oct. 27. She was also be honored Nov. 5 along with other Volunteers of Carla Enis (left), director of Volunteer Services, (right), presents Elvira Blanchard with this year s Volunteer of the Year award. the Year from across the state at the Mississippi Hospital Association Society for Hospital Auxiliaries and Volunteer Services meeting in Jackson. Blanchard began volunteering in May 2006, just six months after retiring as logistic coordinator for MTD in Verona. I had been working ever since I got out of high school, so I was not used to staying home, she said. Even before I retired, I knew volunteering at the hospital was something I wanted to do. Since then she has logged more than 1,100 hours volunteering at the information desk in the lobby of Longtown Medical Park. Every Tuesday she helps patients find their way to outpatient rehabilitation, radiology tests and physician appointments at the many services located there. This is a great place for me to help a lot of people, she said. It s very rewarding. Margaret Hadley, an employee of s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, said, The entire staff looks forward to the day that Elvira comes to volunteer. She brings with her a sense of kindness, confidence and love for people. She has been married to J.T. Blanchard for 25 years and attends Second Baptist Church in Verona. She also enjoys bowling and in years past competed in tournaments nationwide. For more information about volunteer opportunities at, call the Volunteer Services Department at (662) or January 8, 2010 Page 8