Page 172 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2017

SINGING RIVER HEALTH SYSTEM
Grows from 1931
story by Alexis Williams
photos courtesy of Singing River Health System
As the state’s first community-owned hospital, Singing River Health System (SRHS) has grown from eight doctors on its original medical staff in 1931 to more than 300 physicians who serve the citizens of Jackson County and surrounding areas.
“From our humble beginnings, we are now number one on the Coast for overall medical care,” says Georgia Storey, SRHS director of community relations, in regards to the health system’s recent awards by Care Chex that include being ranked the number one provider on the Coast in overall medical care.
With 23 beds at the original Jackson County Hospital, today Singing River Health System boasts two state-of-the- art hospitals with Ocean Springs Hospital and Pascagoula’s Singing River Hospital, the Regional Cancer Center, the Neuroscience Center and four outpatient clinics as well as centers of excellence in heart, wound care, physical and rehabilitation therapy.
The system continues to grow across all specialties thanks to excellent physicians and staff and new technologies like the DaVinci Surgical Robot, sutureless heart valve surgery and the latest digital diagnostic tools and treatment options across the system to name a few. Last year, over 17,500 surgeries were performed at Singing River Hospital and Ocean Springs Hospital. Approximately 1,500 new babies were welcomed at both hospitals and over 3,000 people received life-saving heart catheterizations.
As the second largest employer in Jackson County, the
organization provides 3,700-plus jobs in the community both directly and indirectly paying $160 million in salaries and benefits to its employees. Annually, the system’s economic impact adds $149 million in retail sales.
In recent months, a skilled nursing unit has been added at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula extending hospital care for many patients who are not ready to transition home. Both hospitals now have retail pharmacies, providing convenience in prescriptions to take home after a hospital or outpatient visit. This added amenity is providing a great service to patients and to employees.
With a mission to “Improve Health and Save Lives Every Day,” outstanding clinical care and patient safety are at the core of Singing River’s commitment to the community. Storey attributes the system’s success to their outstanding medical staff, employees and volunteers, noting that “As a community based health system, we live, work and raise our families here, so it’s very much a sense of family caring for family with a deep commitment to providing the very best care.”
SINGING RIVER HEALTH SYSTEM
SINGINGRIVERHEALTHSYSTEM.COM
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DR. MINKLER SEEING A YOUNG PATIENT AT SINGING RIVER HOSPITAL.
TOP LEFT: MR. LESTER TUCK, SINGING RIVER HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR, CIRCA 1966