Page 27 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2026

David White
Kent Nicaud
In 2022, Memorial launched its Graduate Medical Education
program, helping train physicians locally while building a long- term recruitment pipeline. Since then, the program has continued growing, welcoming new classes of residents each year.
“The future of Memorial is rooted in the
same commitment that has guided us for decades—serving the communities that trust us with their care,” said President and CEO Kent Nicaud. “As healthcare continues to evolve, we will evolve with it—expanding access, strengthening quality, and ensuring that best-practice medicine is available close to home.”
In 2025, Memorial aquired full ownership of Memorial Hospital Biloxi, a 153-bed acute care facility offering around- the-clock emergency care and specialized medical services. This made a total of three hospitals in the lower six counties—the other being located in Wiggins, Memorial Hospital Stone County.
This year, Memorial Hospital Gulfport earned the Level
I Stroke Center designation from the Mississippi State Department of Health—becoming one of only four hospitals in the state and the only Level I Stroke Center south of Jackson.
But even as technology and facilities continue evolving, many longtime employees say Memorial’s mission has remained remarkably consistent through the decades—caring for the Coast community.
“What I love most about the work I do is the chance to support people in a way that truly matters,” Boudreaux said. “In my role, I’m often the person others turn to when they need guidance, reassurance, or simply someone who will take the time to listen because I, or a member of my team, are often a patient’s first point of contact and we help instill trust.”
Having served on Memorial’s Board of Trustees for 35 years, David White emphasized that the health system’s expansion was only possible because
its leadership was willing to reimagine the hospital’s future. “It was clear that success would require significant investment, more physicians, more nurses, and a willingness to think
differently about what a community hospital could become,” White said.
He added Memorial’s ability to endure major challenges— including Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic— ultimately reflected the dedication behind the system. “Memorial’s strength has always come from its people,” he said.
The hospital system’s recent accomplishments also reflect broader changes in modern healthcare, including investments in workforce development, expanded specialty services, and operational improvements designed to strengthen long-term stability.
“What I’m most proud of, though, is our people,” Nicaud said. “Our Memorial family of physicians, nurses, staff, and partners has worked tirelessly to raise the bar for quality and patient experience.”
For employees like Boudreaux, Memorial’s legacy is measured in generations of Coast families who have walked through
the doors over the decades. “There’s a pride that comes with knowing the work we do matters, and I’ve always felt that my contributions were seen and valued,” Boudreaux said.
As Memorial looks toward the future, the health system continues building on a foundation that has shaped healthcare on the Coast for eight decades—a patient, a family, and a generation at a time.
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
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