Newsroom

Fourth Annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive Exceeds Previous Years’ Donations NATCHEZ, MS – Merit Health Natchez is spreading the love in the Miss-Lou Region. Our team collected more than 3,039 jars of peanut butter during our Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive to help stock the shelves at local food pantries and fight hunger in our community. Thank You! With your help and the generous donations of our employees, we are donating these thousands of jars to our local food pantries – The River Assembly Fe... ... Read More

Total Impact Reached Nearly $107 Million NATCHEZ, MS – At nearly 111,000 patient encounters last year, Merit Health Natchez delivered on its commitment to provide quality healthcare for the Miss-Lou Region. The health system’s 2025 Community Benefit Report shows care extended well beyond the hospital and clinics, contributing nearly $107 million to the region through charity/uncompensated care provided, capital dollars reinvested in services and facilities, employee payroll, charitable projects and paym... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. –March 27, 2026 – In recognition of National Doctors’ Day, celebrated each year on March 30, Merit Health Natchez made a charitable contribution to the Natchez Children’s Services Children’s Advocacy Center in honor of its medical staff. The day is set aside to recognize physicians for their skills, sacrifice and service to the community. “We are grateful to the doctors on our medical staff for the steadfast care provided to the thousands of patients we treat each year throughout our comm... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Today, Merit Health Natchez kicked off its 4th annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive benefiting River Assembly Feed the Hungry, First Assembly of God and Pilgrim Baptist Church food pantries and is inviting community members to participate in this effort to fight hunger in the local area. Peanut butter is a sought after item for food banks because of its high nutritional value and long shelf life. Yet, it is one of the least donated items. The Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive kicks of... ... Read More

Dr. Geoffrey Flattmann Joins Dr. Christopher Martin in the Practice NATCHEZ, Miss.– Merit Health Natchez today announced Dr. Geoffrey Flattmann will be joining Dr. Christopher Martin at Merit Health Medical Group General Surgery Clinic, further strengthening access to high-quality surgical care for patients in the community. The merger is scheduled to take place in April. Dr. Flattmann has been practicing general surgery in Natchez for 25 years, previously seeing patients at Flattmann Surgical Clinic. H... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, MS, September 11, 2025 – As we get older, finding role models who are older than we are can be difficult. Medical science, within the past few years, has identified a new group we can aspire to join — the superagers. Superagers can be defined as people in their 70s and 80s who have the mental and/or physical capability of those who are decades-younger. In promoting our upcoming email series on longevity, Merit Health Natchez discovered a superager in our community who is living life to the full... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, MS – As long as she can remember, Mrs. Wells has been active. At age 81, she doesn’t see any need in slowing down as long as she can still go. However, she does admit she finally gave in and allowed someone to come and cut her grass, but she makes it clear she still does her own weed eating, hedge trimming and work in her flower beds. When asked what her secret was to longevity, Mrs. Wells didn’t hesitate to answer. “I go to bed early and get up early. I eat a full breakfast every day, and I ke... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, MS -- Merit Health Natchez has developed an exciting new initiative designed to empower our community to live longer, healthier lives. Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a Longer, Healthier Life is a FREE 12-day, longevity-focused email series launching on Sept. 15. According to the CDC, Americans’ average lifespan is longer than ever – 74.8 years for men and 80 for women. But Americans’ healthspan – how long a person is healthy and free of disease – is decreasing. Baby Boomers are more likely than the... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, MS – Children are often encouraged to drink milk for strong bones, but after that, bone health is largely ignored until the golden years. However, taking steps to support bone strength is important to provide structural support, protect vital organs and enhance mobility throughout our lives. According to Brett Larsen, physician assistant with Merit Health Medical Group Orthopedic Clinic, adults reach peak bone mass in their twenties, and maintaining bone density is important to prevent osteopor... ... Read More

Total Community Benefit Exceeded $66 Million in 2024 NATCHEZ, Miss. – April 16, 2025 - Merit Health Natchez provided care to thousands of area residents in 2024, with more than 104,000 patient encounters across its network of physician clinics and other outpatient sites of care. In addition to delivering safe, quality, compassionate healthcare, the hospital is helping those in need, supporting charitable organizations and contributing to the area economy. In its most recent Community Benefit Report, Mer... ... Read More