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NATCHEZ, MS. – March 4, 2025 – News that Harrison Ford withdrew from the 2025 Oscars ceremony due to a diagnosis of shingles has brought attention to this common, often painful, condition. Usually thought of as a childhood disease, chickenpox can have lasting effects well into adulthood because the virus remains inactive in the body even after recovery. Years after you have had the chickenpox, the virus can reappear in the form of shingles. One in three Americans will experience shingles in their lifeti... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, MS – March 3, 2025 – Today, Merit Health Natchez kicked off its annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive benefitting 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 Driv... ... Read More

Extraordinary Nurse Recognized at Merit Health Natchez NATCHEZ, Miss., October 28, 2024 – Amy Dunaway of Merit Health Natchez was recently honored with The DAISY Award® For Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. The nomination submitted read in part, “Before, during and after my surgeries at Merit Health Natchez, Amy went out of her way to comfort me, remind me that she would not leave my side during the p... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. – August 26, 2024 -- The midpoint of the year is a good time to review health insurance policies to ensure you will get the most out of plan benefits, especially if you have already met the annual deductible. Many insurance plans will cover most, if not all, costs for eligible medical procedures and treatments once an individual meets the deductible and out of pocket maximum, making the second half of the year an opportune time to schedule any necessary or elective medical procedures that... ... Read More

August 22, 2024 (Natchez, MS) – Nurses at Merit Health Natchez will soon be honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses ®. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic ... ... Read More

Merit Health Natchez encourages the Miss-Lou Region to prioritize safety during holiday celebrations NATCHEZ, Miss. –June 27, 2024 -- As Independence Day approaches, Merit Health Natchez emphasizes the importance of fireworks safety to prevent injuries and avoid a trip to the emergency department. While fireworks have been an integral part of Fourth of July festivities since 1777, it has not been without risk and should be handled only by experienced pyrotechnicians. “Leave the fireworks to the professi... ... Read More

Merit Health Natchez encourages men in the Miss-Lou to get their annual wellness exam added to the calendar NATCHEZ, MS –– Research backs up the long-standing stereotype that men avoid going to the doctor. In fact, recent surveys show that approximately 44 percent of men don’t get an annual physical, and 60 percent of men won’t see a doctor if they suspect something is wrong. Brittany Gamberi, DNP, FNP-C, ENP-C, with Merit Health Medical Group Primary Care Clinic, offers advice to males. “Don’t wait unt... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. –June 13, 2024 -- Summer 2024 is predicted to bring on the heat which can put extra stress on your heart. For every degree body temperature rises, the heart beats approximately 10 beats per minute faster, according to the National Institute of Health. That’s why in hot temperatures it becomes harder for the body to cool off, especially for those with chronic health conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol or atrial fibrillation (AFib). “Our bodies get rid of excess heat through swe... ... Read More

Merit Health Natchez Therapist Lobbies Successfully for The Lymphedema Treatment Act NATCHEZ, MS – June 12, 2024 -- National Occupational Therapy Month was recently celebrated. There is no better time to tell the story of how one occupational therapist from a small town in Mississippi impacted the signing of a federal law in January 2024 that would help nearly three million lymphedema patients on Medicare receive needed supplies to help them with their painful, incurable swelling. Naydza Muhammad, an oc... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, MS – May 2, 2024 – Merit Health Natchez recently announced that Vanessa Piper, registered nurse on our medical/surgical unit, has been selected to receive its Nursing Excellence Award for 2023. This peer-nominated award, given in recognition of the critical role nurses play in treating our patients, was open to qualifying RNs and LPNs working in a direct patient care position who consistently demonstrate characteristics synonymous with nursing excellence. “Merit Health Natchez is fortunate to h... ... Read More