NSMC News

The past couple of years has transformed the North Sunflower tradition of Christmas parties.  In the past, we had huge Christmas parties that brought the entire family together for one big celebration. 

COVID halted that as we opted for gift cards for every member of the NSMC family. This year, by a vote of the vast majority, employees are hosting their own smaller, more intimate Christmas parties for each department.

One thing that hasn't changed is the spirit of giving that Ruleville is known for this time of year.

The North Sunflower Medical Foundation gives gift cards to every employee who donates to the Foundation. The focus of the North Sunflower Medical Foundation is to provide resources for North Sunflower Medical Center for equipment, educational grants, programs, and services that otherwise would not be possible. Cards can be redeemed at local, Ruleville businesses like Simply Sunflower and other locally owned businesses.

These gift cards also make nice stocking stuffers for friends and co-workers and are an easy way to make giving to the Foundation a gift for the entire Ruleville community.

Another tradition that is not going away, North Sunflower Medical Foundation will also provide gifts to patients in the hospital during the Christmas holidays. We started this tradition many years ago. No one wants to be in the hospital during the holiday season, but this small gesture helps put a smile on our patients' faces.

And if you think you get busier over the Holidays, imagine what a crazy time of year this is for Santa Claus. 

That is why we feel so special that Jolly Ole St Nick made time to come through town to take a ride on the Firetruck for the Ruleville Chamber of Commerce Ride Around last Saturday. Kris Kringle was in town doing final checks on who had been naughty and nice before heading back to the North Pole to get ready for his trip around the world on Christmas Eve.

And coming up next month …

The very popular Heart Healthy Program is expanding to all year long for 2023 starting in January.  Because heart problems can occur at any age - from infancy to adulthood – North Sunflower Medical Center is committed to helping you take care of your heart with a heart-healthy screening. 

The Heart Healthy Screening can detect your risk for heart disease or stroke. Also, we will perform a high blood pressure evaluation and a calcium score test.  

An order from your primary care physician is required for the Heart Healthy screening, so tell everyone you know to call and ask for a referral today! We also have physicians from Jackson Heart at NSMC each week should you need to see a Cardiologist.

We don't miss a beat at North Sunflower Medical Center - your heart is in good hands! So, when you need a check-up, follow your heart to North Sunflower Medical Center. We would love to take care of you!

The end of the year means it's time to vote for who becomes the Healthcare Hero of the Year. 

Everyone who comes in contact with our happy hospital here in Ruleville becomes part of the North Sunflower family in one way or another.  And, like in every family, each person plays a vital role in making us who we are. 

Once a month, we select two people who exemplify this spirit and name them Healthcare Hero of the month – one who works in a clinical role and one who works in a non-clinical position.

Kind of like picking your favorite child; it is a difficult choice every month. This year, another 22 exceptional people were selected from over 500 truly remarkable family members (11 clinical and 11 non-clinical).

In 2021, our clinical Healthcare Hero of the year was Sharon Davis. We talked with both Sharon last week now that their reign as Healthcare Hero is coming to an end.

Sharon said she was proud to be honored, but she was ready for the honor to go to someone else. "Being Healthcare Hero of the Year Made me feel very appreciated.  It made me feel like my work was noticed.  But I want everybody to have a chance to feel like that."

Sharon told us the secret to being Healthcare Hero of the year is in two words: Patience and Patients.

"You have to have a lot of patience to do this job, or this is not the place for you.  We are here to take care of our patients, whatever their needs.  This is their home, and we are here to care for them.

Ballots will be emailed to all employees with email addresses. You can get a paper ballot through your department if you don't have an email address.  All ballots must be turned in by the 16th of December.

Earlier this month, Sunflower Diagnostic Center teamed up with the Delta Cotton Belles and Delta State University to do a free breast screening as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Sunflower Rural Clinic’s Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Hanna Farmer, teamed up with the Belles to host a breast screening at Delta State University.
 
According to Terri Burrell, they screened 18 women during the event, “It was a big day. They kept Hannah busy.” The event was part of the Delta Cotton Belles Pink Checkup program – which provides clinical breast exams at no cost to the patient.
 
“Breast cancer is among the leading causes of death among women,” Terri told us. “Especially in the Delta. It is mind-blowing if you look at the statistics.”  In 2007 Beth McKnight was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer, and it was during the time following her diagnosis that she was made aware of the high incidence of later-staged breast cancer in the Delta and the complete lack of resources available.

Beth recognized the need and immediately reacted with a vision that would come to fruition as Delta Cotton Belles. She initially secured a grant from Delta Health Alliance and, with the help of a small group of friends, began providing education, breast health awareness, and mammograms under the umbrella of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Two years later, Delta Cotton Belles was recognized as an independent non-profit organization so that all of the funding could remain in the Delta to serve those whose needs were the greatest.
 
In addition to the Pink Checkups, The Belles also have a “Wrapped in Pink” program that provides services to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer; those services include emotional support, a Beth’s Blessing Bag for newly diagnosed women, transportation assistance, mastectomy supplies, wigs, and professional counseling. “The bag, which is named in honor of our founder, contains many comfort items suggested by our “Thrivers”…who know the needs based on their own experiences. In addition to love and prayers, each bag includes a pink pashmina, an insulated DCB tumbler, a daily devotional book, a hot & cold neck wrap, soothing lotion, and even note cards handmade by a DCB “Thriver.”
 
The Pink Promise program provides free mammograms for working women who are uninsured or underinsured. “Many insurance companies will not cover a mammogram for women under 40. We fill the gap,” Terri told us.

The Belles also host a monthly “Thrivers” group.
 
The word ‘thriver’ is also kind of important to the Belles. “They don‘t like to be called ‘survivors,’” Terri told us. “We want them to come through the experience stronger than ever. So, they are not just surviving their bout with breast cancer. They are thriving.”
 
If you need breast cancer resources or know someone who is, please email Terri at Deltacottonbelles@gmail.com.
 
The Belles have a database of over 600 women diagnosed with breast cancer that they have assisted – and are continuing to help. Terri tells us, “Once you are a Delta Cotton Belle, you are always a Belle. It is a never-ending need.”

North Sunflower Medical Center Pink Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness

Later this month, on October 27th, North Sunflower Medical Center is hosting a Pink Walk in Ruleville with a Pink Balloon Release for breast cancer awareness. If you would like more information, contact Alice Pyles at Alice.Pyles@northsunflower.com.
 
And if you need a mammogram or know someone who does, contact the Sunflower Diagnostic Center by calling (662)756-2100.

Dr. Erica Bass went through four years of college, four years of medical school, five years of surgical training, and three years of specialized training in surgery before she began her six years in practice as one of the best cosmetic surgeons in Mississippi.
 
But that is just part of her lifelong training growing up in a medical family that makes Dr. Bass one of the most qualified surgeons currently working in the Delta across any field. "Growing up, my dad was a cardiologist, so I knew I wanted to be a physician. I liked fixing things with my hands, and that made me want to be a surgeon," Dr. Bass told us.
 
Dr. Bass is the daughter of cardiologist Dr. Gene Hutcheson. "Dr. Hutch", as most people around North Sunflower Medical Center call him, was part of an innovative program to bring highly qualified specialists to Ruleville a few days a month to provide top-quality specialized care closer to home. He was featured as part of CNN's online magazine's profile of our hospital back in 2017.

The program was so successful that Dr. Bass decided to follow in her father's footsteps a little further. "Through him, I came up to North Sunflower, met the people, and loved them."
 
Dr. Bass works monthly at the Sunflower Med Spa in Ruleville, providing a wide range of cosmetic surgical services, including Botox, Juvederm, hydrafacials, and others.
 
"More than anything, it's having her expertise available to us right here in Ruleville," said Alice Pyles, director of Sunflower Med Spa here at NSMC. "In the Delta, we don't have a plastic surgeon. So having her come once a month is a huge plus. She has done complex excision with reconstruction on cancerous lesions here at NSMC, which saves a trip to Jackson. This is a big help for our patients."

"Plastic surgery appeals to the problem-solving part of my brain," Dr. Bass said. "Using those principles and knowledge of anatomy allows me to find a solution."
 
"She's very sweet and very nice, "Alice told us. "She is a very caring surgeon. She listens to her patients very well and provides them with some options. She is very good at finding out from her patients what they are looking for and providing with the best options."
 
"People want to feel good about themselves as they age," Dr. Bass said. "When you feel like you are the best version of yourself, it gives you more opportunities because you feel good in your own skin."
 
If you want to meet with Dr. Bass, contact the Sunflower Med Spa at (662) 756-4000 to make an appointment.

This Friday, Sept 23 & Saturday, Sept 24

Last year our friend Robyn Marlow wrote this about the Great Ruleville roast:

"There are a lot of things that make Ruleville special. We love the special feeling you get when you walk up to people you know downtown. We take pride in neighbor helping neighbor and rallying around friends in good times and bad. We love that feeling when the hot summer gives way to crisp, cooler fall.
 
All of these things make Ruleville special to us. But what makes Ruleville truly one of a kind is our annual fall festival – The Great Ruleville Roast. Just like our town, The Great Ruleville Roast that started in 2005 keeps growing every year."

The Great Ruleville Roast 2022

This year's Great Ruleville Roast 2022 will begin Friday, Sept 23 at 6 pm in downtown Rule Park with the MBN-sanctioned Barbecue Competition, followed at 6:30 pm by a free concert with Lovin' Ledbetter. The firework show starts at 9:45 pm.

The Festival will continue Saturday, Sept 24, in downtown Rule Park beginning at 9 am with Championship smokers, basters, tasters, and everyday eaters being serenaded by the live entertainment throughout the day, starting again this year with Boundless Love Gospel Group from 9 am – 10 am. Joe Garcia will perform at 10:00 am, followed by Blaze Elite Tumble and Cheer at 10:30 am. The Bayou Band plays at 11:00 am, and last but not least, Mississippi Marshall plays at 2 pm. Saturday will also feature MBN BBQ Competitions and the World Junior BBQ League Competition. We will have arts, crafts, food vendors, and more filling up the park for a family fun day. Come ready for a full day of entertainment.

The Great Ruleville Roast 2022 is the 2nd step for those entering the Delta BBQ Battle. MBN Championship and Patio Division BBQ awards will be handed out around 5 pm Saturday. We hope families from across the delta will join us to celebrate the town we proudly call home. We are "Ruleville & Proud".
For details, visit our Facebook page, "The Great Ruleville Roast" www.facebook.com/thegreatrulevilleroast, call (662) 719-6655 or email rulevillechamber@gmail.com.

Great Ruleville Roast 2022 Sponsors

Event Sponsors

Planters Bank & Trust Company – North Sunflower Medical Center – Two Brooks Farm -- RCI Delta -- Cleveland Trophy & Awards – Southern Bancorp – Whitfield Media -- Delta Radio Network

Platinum Sponsors

Cannon Ford Lincoln, LLC – Coopwood Communications – Enterprise Tocsin – Haire Drug Center – Mad Cow Cutlery – Mexico Grill Ruleville – Mosquito Mist Control – Scott Petroleum – The Pharm

Gold Sponsors

Advance Physical Therapy - Arant Acres – AsurePrint - Carver Brothers Partnership - City of Ruleville - Cleveland Rent All Outdoors - Delta Staffing – J&J Refrigeration - Katherine Carver - Mississippi Police Supply & Sales LLC - Sonny's, Inc. - Taylor's Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc

Silver Sponsors

Andrews Dental Clinic - Barfield, Salley & Associates, PLLC - Becky Tollison - Bill's Body Shop, Inc. - Bill's Tire & Alignment, LLC - Brandon Cummins/Ruleville Farm Bureau - Brooks Rizzo, FNP-BC - Chandler Planting - Cleveland Funeral Hime - Delta Thunder Motorsports Delta Sky - Denton's Dairy Products, Inc. - Fleming Lumber Co., Inc. - Garland Moody Painting - Henly & Sons Motors, LLC - Horizon Ag, LLC - Lamar Outdoor Advertising - Lampard's Wholesale Meats, Inc. - Lovett Auto & Tractor Parts - Mike Myers, Constable - Moody's Plumbing - Robinson Electric - Race Addict - Ray's Funeral Home - Ruleville Cash & Pay - Ruleville Manufacturing Co. Inc. - Sassy Jones Sauce & Spice Co. - Sullivan's Grocery - Sunflower County Board of Supervisors – Sunflower Med Spa - Sunflower Diagnostic Clinic - Superior Heat & Air - The Imagine Specialist - Total Lawn Services - Townsend, McWilliams & Holladay, LLP - Victoria's - Williams & Lord Funeral Home - Woodard Eubanks & Sons, LLP.

This profile is the fifth in a series about the people helping make our community better by serving as members of the North Sunflower Medical Foundation Board of Directors.

Garrett Carver's commitment to North Sunflower Medical Foundation started with his mother, Katherine, a longtime board member and community leader.

We lost Katherine to cancer in 2019, but Garrett now serves on the board and thinks of his mom, who cared deeply about the hospital and its role, as the heart of the Delta.

Garrett recently talked to us about his mom, the positive things happening at North Sunflower Medical Center, and the impact of the pandemic.

This father of two spent his whole life in Ruleville, except for time studying at nearby Mississippi Delta Community College and then Mississippi State. And he's followed the hospital's growth.

"I have seen the transformation. What was once a small town, struggling little hospital has grown into a modern medical center," Garrett tells us. "I believe this wouldn't have happened without Billy Marlow and the leadership team. Somebody had to take the reins, and they did."
 
He said the COVID-19 pandemic showcased the hospital's importance to Delta residents – and the dedication of the staff.
 
"They were at the front in having testing and then the vaccinations. They were on top of the regulations and the best research," he says.
 
Garrett said his entire family got their vaccinations at North Sunflower Medical Center. He saw the compassion and dedication of the center staff.
 
"Everyone is invested and happy with what they do. They care about their jobs and this place," he says.

Garrett is a fourth-generation farmer growing corn and soybeans on the family farm that straddles Leflore and Sunflower counties.

When Stacy Davis asked him to join the board, he had several reasons to say yes. First, he says, he wanted to get involved in service and be part of something important to everyone.

"Everybody I know has been complimentary of North Sunflower Medical Center," he says. "When you live in a rural area, one of the poorest areas in the country, it's great to know you don't have to go to Jackson or Memphis to have critical care. It's right here in Ruleville, Mississippi. It's a jewel.

A second reason for Garrett to say yes is to maintain the critical resource that keeps people in the region and helps unify the community.

"When you go to North Sunflower Medical Center, there's a family-type atmosphere. They know you. That's very comforting," he said.

Garrett has a final, more sentimental reason to serve.

"My mother and I were very close. She served on the board early on for many years until she got sick with cancer. She enjoyed it. I wanted to experience what she was doing. I wanted to get involved in the community, to make a difference. My mother left some big shoes to fill," he says. "I think she'd be happy that I took up the mantle."

If you are interested in learning more about the North Sunflower Medical Foundation or making a contribution, contact Stacy Davis at stacy.davis@nsmedicalfoundation.org or call (662) 756-4129.

A certified pediatric nurse practitioner at the Sunflower Rural Health Clinic Pediatrics, Ms. Summers had a lot of patients in the run-up to school starting last week. "Lots of kids were getting wellness checks before school starts," she told us. "We had lots of 4-year-olds and seventh graders getting shots and vaccinations that are required here in Mississippi." 
 
Back to school is a good time to have young patients come in for their annual wellness checks. "It's important to schedule a wellness check once per year, either at back to school or around their birthday," Ms. Summers said. "That makes it easy for busy parents to remember. At least once a year, we like to see that they are developing and growing bigger and stronger as they should."

The steady rush of young patients has trailed off this week now that schools in the Delta are back in session after the summer break. But Ms. Summers expects those numbers to tick up again "once they get back spreading germs with all their friends." She said the last couple of years taught us the importance of washing hands and using hand sanitizers, especially before eating. "Taking Germ-X to school and washing up before eating will decrease their risk of spreading germs and getting sick," she pointed out.

And if our kids are feeling sick, they must stay home, especially if they have a fever of over 100.4 degrees. "A fever could be a sign of a number of things, from COVID to strep throat, but it is a clear indicator of general infection," Ms. Summers said. "They need to stay home or come see us until they feel better."

Ms. Summers is originally from Birmingham, Alabama, and moved to the Delta to be closer to her husband’s family. Dr. Lisa Huddleston, a Sunflower Rural Health Clinic pediatrician, told us, “Katie is the sweetest.  She is very knowledgeable about pediatrics and really cares about her patients and their families.  She has worked at other children’s hospitals and has a lot of experience caring for children in our area.”

Ms. Summers also told us about the importance of getting kids back in their routines as soon as school resumes. “We stress the need to get at least eight hours of sleep to allow their brain to fully function,” she said. “This whole past week, we have been encouraging parents to set a good bedtime and get their kids back on track with their routines. Bedtime and breakfast are important, even if it's just a small thing to eat to get the day started.”

If a member of your family has been trading germs with friends or just needs their back-to-school wellness check, you can reach Sunflower Rural Health Clinic Pediatrics by calling the referral line at (662) 756-1788.