Merit Health Natchez is a Cornerstone of the Miss-Lou Region
5/23/2023
NATCHEZ, MS – The skilled and compassionate hands of physicians, nurses and other team members of Merit Health Natchez support the health and well-being of patients who turn to us for expert care. We are here, whenever needed. Beyond providing clinical care, the hospital is a cornerstone of our community and a major contributor to the economic health of the Miss-Lou Region as a major employer and tax-payer and through our resources to expand and enhance the medical services available close to home. The overall impact is significant and totaled more than $66 million in 2022.
Care was provided at more than 87,000 patient encounters, including 19,600 emergency department visits, 2,900 inpatient admissions and more than 2,500 surgeries. Over 62,000 patients received care across the Merit Health Medical Group physician clinics, outpatient therapy services, and imaging services. Joy was delivered to local families with the birth of more than 600 babies.
“We help people get well and live healthier by providing quality care for patients,” said Tracy Byers, interim, chief executive officer at Merit Health Natchez. “Our community is truly fortunate to have this dedicated team of clinicians and caregivers here in the Miss-Lou Region who are making a real difference each and every day.”
Merit Health Natchez applies its resources to medical services, facilities and technologies that are important to patients. These include C These include growth in our ER and surgery volumes, and 24 hour access to telemedicine services for neurology and psychiatric needs for our patients in the Emergency Department and inpatients. Access has been enhanced with the opening of our Medical Imaging services in Vidalia, Louisiana.
Merit Health Natchez also gives back to our community by providing over $24 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable. And the payment of $3.1 million in property and sales taxes helps support civic resources and services.
Our support also helps local charitable and community organizations such as The Natchez Stewpot, Natchez-Adams County Humane Society and the Children’s Christmas Tree Fund, through more than $25,000 in donations and outreach. Examples of giving back to the community in 2022 included our Community Health and Safety Fair, providing speakers for local businesses and schools; participating in local career and health fairs. In 2022, we became the first business in Natchez to host Project Search.
The hospital’s payroll of more than $30 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services. Last year the hospital added enhanced benefits to help team members achieve their personal and professional goals, including assistance with student loan repayments, reimbursement of licensure and certification expenses, as well as tuition reimbursement.
“The vital care we provide is only one part of the broad impact we have. We are a cornerstone of this community and we are committed to doing all we can to provide excellent healthcare services and to making the Miss- Lou Region a healthier, better community for all,” concluded Byers.
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 from a trusted medical source. You can sign up at https://www.merithealthnatchez.com/enewsletter-sign-up.
Back