Newsroom

Learn your risk factors to prevent life-threatening blood clots NATCHEZ, Miss. –August 5, 2021 -- – The pandemic has heightened attention to the dangers of blood clots including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and clot-provoked stroke. According to the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), blood clots kill 274 Americans each day when they restrict blood flow and cause a medical emergency. While different types of blood clotting are being reported among people affected by COVID-19, particularly t... ... Read More

Hospital provides necessary care, resources to patients with heart attack symptoms NATCHEZ, Miss. – The American College of Cardiology has once again recognized Merit Health Natchez for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. Merit Health Natchez was awarded another three year Chest Pain Center Accreditation earlier this year based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. ... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. –June 29, 2021 — Merit Health Natchez has named Garett May as its new Chief Executive Officer effective August 2, 2021. May brings strong leadership, business development and physician recruitment skills to further enhance and grow the hospital. He has worked in executive leadership positions with Merit Health facilities in Mississippi for the past 10 years, most recently serving as the chief operating officer at Merit Health River Oaks in Flowood. During his tenure there, he recruited pr... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. –June 23, 2021—The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International announced that Merit Health Natchez has been accredited once again for a period of three years for its Inpatient Rehabilitation program. This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself thro... ... Read More

Study finds average weight gains of 1.5 pounds a month during pandemic NATCHEZ, Miss. – June 17, 2021 —– As the days get longer and community is opening up, a local physician is encouraging her patients to reverse the extra pounds they may have added over the past year of the pandemic. Dr. Barbara Smith, a primary care physician with Merit Health Medical Group Primary Care Clinic, says it’s a great time to get back on track with healthy habits and shed that extra weight. “The pandemic, especially early ... ... Read More

Stay on schedule with a full night of sleep for your best physical and mental health NATCHEZ, Miss. –June 14, 2021— We’ve all experienced the tiredness and lack of clarity that comes from a sleepless night, but a study published last year by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology Foundation found that sleep schedule inconsistency is also a risk factor for heart disease. Dr. Barbara Smith, primary care physician and Charla Knapp, Family Nurse Practitioner with Merit Health Medical Group Primar... ... Read More

Don’t let COVID-19 Put a Hold on Your Overall Health NATCHEZ, Miss. – March 15, 2021 —– The thought of having surgery for a nagging injury or lingering pain can make some patients feel uneasy. But, as many experts have said over the last few months, it is extremely important not to neglect medical needs during the pandemic. Patients can feel confident seeking care the medical care they need at Merit Health Natchez. Numerous steps have been put in place to keep patients safe during their visits, includin... ... Read More

Dianne Parker, Director of Health Information Management at Merit Health Natchez, has been in the healthcare profession for nearly 40 years. Ask anyone at the hospital about Dianne, and they will tell you she is extremely intelligent, knowledgeable, professional and excellent at her job. Despite working in the medical field, despite pleas from her primary care physician, despite knowing the risks, and despite her knowledge of seeing first-hand what delaying health care can do; Dianne did what so many of... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. – February 26, 2021—– If you’ve put off seeing your doctor for fear of catching or spreading the COVID-19 virus, Dr. Barbara Smith and Charla Knapp, FNP-BC, providers at Merit Health Medical Group Primary Care, want you to know it’s safe and important to come in. Precautions for your safety include social distancing in our waiting areas, masking of all patients and providers, screening of all clinic patients and visitors, and enhanced cleaning of commonly touched surfaces. “This has certa... ... Read More

Promising treatment for high-risk patients early in COVID-19 diagnosis NATCHEZ, Miss. –January 26, 2021—Merit Health Natchez recently began providing an antibody infusion therapy for COVID-19, known as monoclonal antibodies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued emergency use authorization for the drugs, Regeneron and Bamlanivimab in late 2020. They are approved for high-risk adult and pediatric COVID-19 positive patients with mild to moderate symptoms. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made ... ... Read More