Merit Health Natchez is Vital to the Miss-Lou Region
4/11/2024
Delivers essential medical services and broad impact to the larger community
NATCHEZ, MS - April 11, 2024-- Over the course of 2023, Merit Health Natchez played a vital role helping people get well and live healthier at more than 91,000 patient encounters across its hospital, Merit Health Medical Group physician clinics and other outpatient sites of care.
At more than 18,000 emergency department visits each year, lifesaving medically necessary care is provided for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Members of the community who cannot fully afford their medical care are provided deep discounts or even charity care and the hospital has resources to help them secure medications and medical support devices. Last year, Merit Health Natchez provided more than $26.9 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable.
“Merit Health Natchez plays a vital role in our community around the clock, every day of the year to help people get well and live healthier,” said Kevin Samrow, chief executive officer for Merit Health Natchez. “Regardless of holidays or challenging weather, our dedicated team of clinicians and caregivers are using their skills, experience and compassion in service to the patients who are counting on us.”
Other support for the community includes financial donations for charitable organizations such as the Natchez Stewpot, Children’s Christmas Tree Fund and the Washington Breast Cancer Foundation, and acts of service such as the Jars of Love drive collecting peanut and other nut butters for local food banks.
Merit Health Natchez applies its resources to medical services, facilities and technologies that patients want to access close to home. The robotic surgery program is making a difference in people’s lives with minimally invasive procedures thanks to the skilled surgeons and supporting teams in anesthesia, surgery and post anesthesia care. Over 2,000 patients have benefitted from robotic-assisted surgeries performed at Merit Health Natchez. Capital improvements totaling more than $1.7 million were made to enhance the patient experience. Examples include upgrades to our nurse call system; new birthing beds and stretchers; and the repaving of our patient and employee parking lots. Equipment upgrades were made in the areas of med-surg, endoscopy/colonoscopy, lab, ICU and outpatient therapy.
Civic resources and services are supported by Merit Health Natchez’s tax payments of more than $3.8 million and the payroll of more than $29.9 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services.
Workforce development remains a priority and a strong relationship with Alcorn State University School of Nursing allows nurses to gain clinical experience at the hospital, working side by side with nurses. This offers students the opportunity to complete their clinicals and supports development of a larger pool of nurses for the future.
Samrow continued, “The vital care we provide is only one part of the broad impact we have that adds up to more than $71 million last year. We recognize that our services are essential to this community and we are committed to doing all we can to provide quality health care and make the Miss-Lou Region a healthier, better community for all.”
To help the community live healthier, Merit Health Natchez offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox. Sign up at https://www.merithealthnatchez.com/enewsletter-sign-up.
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