Newsroom

Children’s Christmas Tree Fund Receives Donation NATCHEZ, Miss. –December 20, 2018 –Merit Health Natchez recently made a donation of $1,000.00 to The Children’s Christmas Tree Fund in honor of the hospital’s Medical Staff. “This is a tradition started several years ago as a way of recognizing our physicians during the holiday season and helping those in our community who need it most during this time of the year,” said Lance Boyd, CEO of Merit Health Natchez. Natchez is full of traditions, and The Child... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. –December 11, 2018 – A milestone was recently reached at Merit Health Natchez when the hospital performed its 1,000th robotic surgery. “This is an exciting time for our hospital, and the progress and growth in the use of this technology is a testament to the commitment, vision, and passion of our surgeons and our outstanding surgery team,” said Lance Boyd, CEO of Merit Health Natchez. Dr. Geoffrey Flattmann, General Surgeon, performed the 1,000th surgery, an inguinal (groin) hernia repair... ... Read More

American Cancer Society Lowers First Time Colon Cancer Screening Age NATCHEZ, Miss. – November 5, 2018 – If you’re thinking, “A colonoscopy?! Isn’t that a test for OLD people?,” you may want to take a closer look at recent news from the American Cancer Society. The ACS this year altered their recommendation for timing of a first-time colon cancer screening from age 50 to age 45, for those at average risk of cancer. The change was directly tied to the rising number of younger adults being diagnosed with ... ... Read More

Sharon Blaney and Missi Johnson Obtain Certification as Lactation Counselors NATCHEZ, Miss. –October 11, 2018 – The Certified Lactation Counselor® (CLC) designation from The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice, Inc. is recognized as the premier national certification in lactation management. Merit Health Natchez is proud to announce the certification has been awarded to two, long-termed nurses in our Women’s Health Center, Sharon Blaney and Missi Johnson. “Sharon and Missi earned this certification... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. – September 17, 2018 – Merit Health Natchez worked closely with the Adams County Sheriff’s Department and N.A.R.C. (Natchez Adams Regional Counterdrug Taskforce) Unit to become a secure Drug Drop Off Box location as a means to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired medications. The box is located inside the hospital near the Information Desk area on the first floor. The Sheriff’s Office at 306 State Street has housed the community’s only Drug Drop Off Box for over a year. “We work with th... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. – August 20, 2018 – In contrast to its name, a bone spur is a smooth, bony growth that forms over a long period of time. Many bone spurs – or osteophytes, as they are formally known – cause no symptoms at all, and you may not know you have one until it shows up during a routine imaging study. The condition is quite common, and can occur in any one of several areas of the body. According to Dr. Thesselon Monderson, Orthopedist, “A bone spur on its own does not cause pain. “However, dependi... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Orthopedic Surgeon Thesselon Monderson, M.D., is the newest member of the hospital’s Medical Staff and has joined Dr. Daniel McCallum in the Merit Health Medical Group Orthopedics clinic. After receiving his Doctor of Medicine from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., Dr. Monderson completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery from Howard University Hospital. Board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Monderson also holds a fellowship in Hand ... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. –May 21, 2018 — According to a recent study, those who regularly eat grilled or well-done beef, chicken or fish may increase their risk of developing high blood pressure. The study followed more than 100,000 men and women over more than a decade, and found that the high-temperature method of cooking meats had a statistically significant relationship to the development of hypertension. “These important results are in line with earlier, animal-based research,” says Dr. Sahitya Bhandari, Int... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, Miss. –May 7, 2018 — Merit Health Natchez has named Lance Boyd as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective June 18, 2018. “My family and I are looking forward to calling Natchez home. I am excited to work with and support the employees and medical staff as we continue the momentum of making Merit Health Natchez a great place for employees to work, physicians to practice and patients to receive compassionate, quality care in a safe and patient-focused environment,” said Boyd. Boyd’s healthcare... ... Read More

Mindy Smith and Shirley Hughey are Honored as 2017 Award Winners NATCHEZ, Miss. –February 6, 2018 — Merit Health Natchez has named Mindy Smith, a registered nurse in the hospital’s Emergency Department and Shirley Hughey, a Volunteer in the hospital’s gift shop, as Employee and Volunteer of the Year, respectively, for 2018. These awards are the highest honors bestowed on a hospital employee and volunteer each year, and they were chosen from approximately 500 employees and 40 volunteers. “A professional,... ... Read More