Employee Appreciation Day is one of our favorite holidays here at North Sunflower Medical Center.  After such a difficult 2020, we were thrilled that 2021 would allow us to gather together a little closer and talk a little longer with the people who have worked so hard to care for our community through the pandemic. 

Last week was National Hospital, Nursing Home & Nurses Week, and since we like to think of ourselves as a Nurses’ hospital, that made a perfect setting for our 2021 Employee Appreciation Day. It turned out to be a beautiful day of perfect weather, food, games, prices and employees #strongertogether.

North Sunflower Medical Foundation donated flat screen tv’s to be given away, while North Sunflower Medical Center donated Visa gift cards.

Other door prize winners included Clydecia Davis, Casey Lopez, Nathan Sumner, Sharon Hays, Machelle Auberg, Johnnie Mae Smith and the list goes on and on…

NSMC employees enjoyed a meal from Larry’s Fish House, Mac’s Shaved Ice (snow cones) & cupcakes from Our Delta Table. 
 
Thanks to the Kappa Deltas from DSU for volunteering their time, to Whitfield Media for the music and photo booth, and a BIG THANK YOU to all our Healthcare Heroes during National Hospital and Nursing Home Week.

The marque Birdies and Backhands event is back after a year off, and the community is ready to celebrate this popular fundraiser for the North Sunflower Medical Foundation.

“The minute Save the Date cards were mailed out, tennis and golfers began contacting us and sending in their applications,” says Stacy Davis, associate executive director of the foundation. “Everyone is very excited to have this event back this year. It is such a wonderful event for a great cause.”

Cleveland Country Club will be the heart of activity for the May 27 event, with golfers and tennis players showcasing their skills and supporting the foundation.

Birdies and Backhands 2021

“It brings members from surrounding communities together for an afternoon of fun and fellowship. The profits from this fundraiser allow NSMF to continue to support the many needs of our community and hospital,” Davis says.
 
The combined day of golfing and tennis started in 2008 as the primary fundraising event for the foundation.
 
Davis says from the very beginning “we were met with an overwhelming response, and that has kept us motivated and working hard to present this event each year – bigger and better.” This year’s event chair is Elise Jenkins.
 
The deadline to sign up for four-person golf scramble is 5 p.m. on Monday, May 24. The cost is $75 per player for the 18-hole scramble, or $300 for a four-person team. On the day of the event, the shotgun start is 1 p.m. Lunch and snacks are provided.
 
The entry fee for the ladies’ day mixer tennis tournament is $30 per person. Warmups begin at 3:30 p.m. on May 27, and the first round is set for 4 p.m.

Davis says volunteers will make it all come together. “Our Foundation is made up of volunteers – men and women dedicated to a cause and men and women who don’t hesitate to roll up their sleeves and work until the job is done,” she says.

Although the event is known for its fun vibe, there is a serious theme to raising money for something important.

“It is through the Foundation’s work that our hospital can continue to thrive. Every cent raised for the Foundation returns an investment back to the North Sunflower Medical Center, but more important than that, it is a return of investment to you,” Davis says. “Each new piece of equipment the Foundation can help provide, each new class the Foundation’s work allows our employees to take, each new upgrade the Foundation’s efforts allow – it all translates to advancement in the care North Sunflower Medical Center can provide.”

The event was not held last year because of the pandemic, and Davis is thankful for the excitement in 2021. “With the greatest gratitude, we say thank you to everyone that helps make this event possible.”

For event information, contact Davis at (662) 719-4147.

And Speaking of Big News…

In addition to getting Birdies and Backhands back and running, Stacy Davis has had a real busy spring.  Including being recognized as March Hero of the Month at NSMC.

Davis called it “a tremendous honor.”

“It was definitely not anything I expected to receive. This award should go to many people at NSMC. We have a fantastic team at NSMC and I am blessed to be part of that team,” she says.

In the nomination, she was described as “an individual who wears MANY hats” and finds innovative solutions to problems. “If you even mention something to her that might need to be done, consider it done,” the nomination said. “She’s a true North Sunflower Hero!”

We’ve always known that Zaqua Danielle Ervin was the best at her job as lab director at North Sunflower Medical Center. Now everyone is finding out about the excellence of Danielle and her team at saving lives through blood donations.

Danielle said she was initially surprised when Mississippi Blood Services announced NSMC as the “Top 10 Best for 2020 – Outstanding Service during the COVID Pandemic.’’

“I know we are one of the best at what we do, but NSMC is a small hospital.  When I found out we ranked in the top 10, I was ecstatic,” Danielle said.

Knowing Danielle and her reputation for accomplishment, we were not surprised. Danielle stayed busy even before the pandemic to improve the overall health and well-being of the community through health fairs and blood drives. Then the global pandemic struck in 2020.

“The pandemic unleashed all sorts of problems from lack of reagents to a huge shortage in blood,” Danielle says. “One of the biggest obstacles with organizing a blood drive during the pandemic was social distancing. Our blood drives are done on a bus. The space is limited. We knew how important it was to keep everyone safe and healthy, but we knew how essential it was to help supply our community with blood.”

She was able to safely and efficiently keep the crucial supply of blood needed in the pandemic. Danielle already knew that she had an awesome team going into the pandemic.

“I cannot ask for a better team. They are a group of strong, ambitious, courageous, beautiful, supportive, and respectful individuals,” she says. “My team stepped up this past year. When the shutdown began, the lab volunteered to help where needed. We screened patients. We worked the Emergency room door, the COVID tent, and monitored the entrance to the hospital. We all shared a common goal, and we were eager to accomplish it.”

As NSMC celebrates this incredible honor, we also celebrate the work of our lab. This past week was the 46^th anniversary of Medical Laboratory Professional Week.

“This tradition originated in 1975 as a national event to raise public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the impact that laboratories play in a patient’s diagnosis and care,” Danielle tells us. “The week also strives to help the public understand the quality and professional accountability that clinical laboratories have relating to the patient. Laboratorians play a vital role as a member of the health care team. During this week we fellowship.  We do potlucks, play games, and just have fun.”

Danielle says she’s always known NSMC was about teamwork.

“In my opinion, a team member is someone dedicated, hardworking, intelligent, reliable, and confident. A team member is someone who will stand with you until the doors close.”

We have MANY new openings here at NSMC

A lot of people have called North Sunflower Medical Center a ‘Nurses Hospital.’ That’s because we believe in the importance of having outstanding nurses — RN’s, LPN’s, CNA’s and many other positions that are on the front lines of helping and healing patients.

We are always looking for more great people to become part of our family of Healthcare Heroes.

North Sunflower Medical Center has been a leader in the pandemic since its first days. Now we have a steady supply of vaccines, and we need you to join us in fighting the virus. The process is simple and safe.

Sunflower Rural Health Clinic Director Brooks Rizzo is the go-to person for answers on the virus and the two vaccines we have been offering. Many of you know her because she’s a trusted and experienced family nurse practitioner with decades of experience.

She says the process starts like this. Call 662-756-1631 or 662-756-4024 to schedule an appointment. Same-day and next-day appointments are available. Generally, it only takes about 30 minutes if you make an appointment first, compared to walk-up.

Brooks Rizzo, FNP – CCM Director

Patients should park in the pharmacy parking lot and walk up the ramp to our Vaccine Entrance. Patients complete two brief forms and a registered nurse will administer either the Moderna vaccine or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in your upper arm. Your nurse will give you a vaccination record card and advise you what side effects to watch for.

After the vaccination, patients are asked to wait 15 minutes to monitor for any immediate reaction. If a reaction occurs, we are prepared with Benadryl, an Epipen, and an Emergency Room Physician who is present in the Vaccine area. The patient will be given a return date for their second vaccine if they received a Moderna dose. Our team will also call the patient closer to that date with a reminder.

The Vaccine Team has administered 1,270 Covid vaccines to the public so far.

Rizzo started researching the vaccination data and FDA studies last year, and we are lucky to have an expert here to do that because it is complicated.

“I became a nurse practitioner because I was motivated to help my family and those dearest to me. Helping others brings me joy and the last thing I want to do is harm someone. So, I feel like those healthcare professionals are like me. They want to help protect their family and the nation so we can get back to normal, feel secure in our everyday life, and find joy and happiness,” she says.

Rizzo has been closely following the vaccinations’ effectiveness since December 2020, when NSMC employees were vaccinated. When the state opened eligibility to non-healthcare workers, the Vaccine Team was set up started giving Covid vaccines in January 2021.

During the first two months, Rizzo’s obstacle was the lack of vaccines being shipped to the clinic from the state health department. Now the clinic is getting steady shipments, and Rizzo says the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the most requested because patients only need one dose to be protected from the virus. People who receive Moderna return for a second shot. As of now, NSMC has more Moderna vaccines on hand. But you should call to discuss what’s best for you.

“Millions of Americans have already been vaccinated and I believe the number of Covid cases has decreased in our area because of the Covid vaccinations,” says Rizzo. “I believe the vaccine works and to date, there is little risk involved in taking the vaccine”.

Rizzo wants to share a little bit of what we’ve done to combat COVID-19. Last March, the Covid Tent Team was established.

“We were outside attending patients, swabbing them for Covid, and a provider was treating any symptoms. We were all happy to help patients and bring them peace of mind because we were dedicated to using protective equipment and disinfecting processes while providing necessary health services during the pandemic,” she says.

When the vaccines were approved by the FDA for emergency use in December 2020, “we transitioned into learning more about the vaccines, how they work, what side effects to look for, how to educate our patients, and ultimately set up the clinic as a vaccination site with the MS state department of health,” Rizzo says.

“I am so proud to be a part of North Sunflower Medical Center and to have a team that is dedicated, loyal, steadfast, and willing to roll with the changes to do what is right and what is best for our community. The Vaccine Team, Sunflower Rural Health Clinic, and North Sunflower Medical Center will continue to do what we do best-be there for our community in times of crisis or calm,” Rizzo says. “Take me to Ruleville!”

Ginny Pantin has a message for people distressed by the isolation of the pandemic or overwhelmed by the past year: help is available.

The North Sunflower Medical Center team treats all health needs in the community. In Ginny’s case, she’s concerned about the mental health of people of all ages.

Ginny is an LCSW or licensed clinical social worker. She’s a compassionate advocate for the emotional needs of our community.

You will find her leading group therapy sessions with senior citizens and volunteering her time at high schools to reach teens who may not realize they are in distress. On a recent day, she was in a high school gym standing in front of students in bleachers, giving a socially distanced message about caring.

“In our local area, we’ve had a lot of loss,” Ginny says. “There have been some recent struggles in local schools. There are a lot of different outlets for help. I hope to be an outlet that people feel comfortable reaching out to.”

Her message is simple: “you are not alone.”

When Ginny was in middle school in Greenville, she dreamed of getting a social work degree and finding ways to help the people of the Mississippi Delta. She graduated from Delta State and received her master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

Her goal after finishing her training was to join the NSMC team and return to the area.

“It’s the first job I applied for out of graduate school. I’ve always liked NSMC and this area. It’s the first job I tried to get. I was really thankful to get it,” she said. “I love my job. We have a great, supportive team.”

Ginny offers individual and family counseling for ages as young as 3. She has group counseling sessions with seniors, including groups 65 and older and those in a nursing home setting. She is up-to-date on the latest skills. She assists with everything from dealing with trauma to anxiety.

She noticed an increase in teen clients during the pandemic, and she was not surprised because of “the negativity in the world around us.”

Ginny said there is a misperception that bullying is behind all problems. Students can hide their anxiety, and parents may miss signs of trouble. She shares tips on when to reach out and how to reach out.

Ginny has led counseling sessions for 14 years and has seen obstacles that keep people from seeking help.

“There is a lot of stigma attached to it at every level,” she said.

Ginny has studied depression in the farming community and is familiar with the stressors faced by caregivers. The pandemic has led to a new level of anxiety, she said.

“Families are feeling a lot of fear,” she said. “It comes from all the things that are happening around them.”

She is a resource to give people tools to deal with those emotions and improve their lives. She may be the right fit for counseling or recommend another expert. Her hope with her outreach in schools is that she will prevent teens from feeling so hopeless that they contemplate suicide.

“There are a lot of different outlets for help. Talking to someone can lead you to what those options are,” Ginny says. “I would like to be a part of that journey.”

To make an appointment or find out more information, call 662-756-1786.