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.

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.

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. 

This is the second in a series of profiles about the people who are helping make our community better by serving as members of the North Sunflower Medical Foundation’s Board of Directors.

When we caught up with Becky Tollison, she was running home to take care of one of her “GrandDogs”.  That’s serious business for Becky – or Cotton, as her four grandkids call her. But Ms. Becky is a serious businesswoman.

Becky grew up in Drew and moved to Ruleville when she married Bubba Tollison in 1983. She taught home economics for a generation of students before retiring so she could make “grand sitting” her full-time job.  Unfortunately, life had other plans for Becky.

“My husband had an insurance agency. When he died, I was forced to learn about the insurance business quickly,” she said.  “Everybody tells you to not make any major decisions for a year.  I just decided that I didn’t have a choice.”

Good Leadership

“It gave me a purpose to get up and get out of the house in the morning.  I had one employee, Laura Wells, and she’s still with me.  She is fabulous.  I could not do it without her.  We grew together, and the business has grown with us.”
 
Becky said the town of Ruleville has changed some since she moved here in the early 1980s. “Downtown isn’t quite as bustling as it used to be. Even still, Ruleville has remained a nice clean respectable Delta town.  There aren’t that many of them left.  We have had good leadership in our town and we have a very good hospital,” Becky said.
 
By serving on the board of the North Sunflower Medical Foundation, Becky is now part of the leadership that keeps the town and the hospital going. “I was honored that they asked me,” Becky said.  “They have done many good things for the community.  Things people don’t realize, like helping the police and fire departments. Giving scholarships to people to help them get their degree.”

North Sunflower Foundation’s Impact

Becky says that it’s the little things the Foundation does that make the biggest impact, like the new housing for Ambulance drivers next to the hospital that gives them a nice place to stay when they are on call. And the driving force behind that type of foundation work is her old high school classmate, and former Foundation board member, Billy Marlow.
 
“I don’t think that any of this would be possible without Billy’s guidance,” she said.  “I think he has been very helpful for our community.  One thing Billy has done that I appreciate is that he would buy a house and renovate a house so the community could use it.  Then he would sell it at a lower cost so another family could move to Ruleville and become part of our community.  He has been very instrumental in the development of North Sunflower and our little town.”
 
Serving on the North Sunflower Foundation is a small part of what Becky feels is her civic responsibility.  “It is a good way to do community service. I think everybody should do something to help the community in one way or another.  I’m just glad I can do that.”
 
If you are interested in contributing to the North Sunflower Medical Foundation, contact Stacy Davis at stacy.davis@nsmedicalfoundation.org or call (662) 756-4129.

This Friday, Sept. 24 & Saturday, Sept. 25

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 a 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. Due to the COVID Pandemic, we could not celebrate our 15th year in 2020; therefore, 2021’s Great Ruleville Roast will be our 15-year celebration. 
 
2021’s Great Ruleville Roast will begin Friday, September 24th at 6 pm in downtown Rule Park with The Grove Factor Band kicking off the festivities. Grilling’ Outta Quarantine is the theme. 

The Festival will continue Saturday, September 25^th, in downtown Rule Park beginning at 9 am with Championship smokers, basters, tasters, and everyday eaters serenaded by the live entertainment throughout the day, starting with Boundless Love Gospel Group from 9 am – 10 am. Thomas Edwards Central High School Band will perform at 10:15 am, followed by Joe Garcia & The Big Guns from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, and last but not least, Mississippi Marshall will play from 1 pm – 5 pm. Saturday will also feature MBN BBQ Competitions and the FIRST EVER World Junior BBQ League Competition. We will have arts, crafts, food vendors, and more filling up the park for a family fun day. We will make sure you are well fed and entertained.

Delta BBQ Battle

The Great Ruleville Roast is the 2^nd 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 Ruleville Chamber of Commerce, Ruleville-Drew Rotary & North Sunflower Medical Center to celebrate the town we are proud to call home. We are “Ruleville & Proud”. 

Great Ruleville Roast 2021

For details, visit our Facebook page “The Great Ruleville Roast” www.facebook.com/thegreatrulevilleroast, call (662) 719-6655, or email rulevillechamber@gmail.com.
 
Event Sponsors
Bumpers of Ruleville – Cleveland Trophy & Awards – Delta Radio Network – North Sunflower Medical Center – Planters Bank & Trust Company – Southern Bancorp – Two Brooks Farms – Whitfield Media
 
Platinum Sponsors
Cannon Ford Lincoln, LLC – Coopwood Communications – Enterprise Tocsin – Haire Drug Center – Mad Cow Cutlery – Mexico Grill Ruleville – Mosquito Mist Control – Scott Petroleum Corporation – The Pharm
 
Gold Sponsors
Advance Physical Therapy – Arant Acres – AsurePrint – Barfield, Salley & Associates, PLLC – Carver Brothers Partnership – City of Ruleville – Delta Staffing, LLC – Katherine Carver – Mississippi Police Supply – Race Addict – Refuel Operating Company – LLC -Sonny’s, Inc. – Specialty Glass/Cleveland Rentall, LLC – Taylor’s Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc
 
Silver Sponsor
Bill’s Body Shop, Inc. – Bill’s Tire & Alignment, LLC  – Brooks Rizzo, FNP-BC – Delta Thunder Motorsports – Denton’s Dairy Products, Inc.  – Brandon Cummins/Ruleville Farm Bureau – Flatlanders, Inc. – Fleming Lumber Co., Inc. – Griffin Trucking – Horizon Ag, LLC – Lamar Outdoor Advertising- Lampard’s Wholesale Meats, Inc. – Lovett Auto & Tractor Parts – Mike Myers, Constable – Robinson Electric – Ruleville Cash & Pay – Sunflower County Board of Supervisors – Sullivan’s Grocery – The Greenwood Commonwealth – The Imagine Specialist  – Total Lawn Service, Inc. – Tollison Insurance, Inc. – Townsend, McWilliams & Holladay, LLP – Victoria’s -William & Lord Funeral Home – Woodard Eubanks & Sons, LLP
 
In Support of
Cleveland Funeral Home – Ray Funeral Home – Upchurch Heating and Air

Dr. Aman Munir is familiar to many in the community with his work in the The Sleep Center of North Sunflower Medical Center. Now he is the leader of our expanded pulmonary practice, bringing much needed quality care to the region.

Pulmonologists diagnose and treat lung conditions, such as asthma and COPD. Much larger hospitals have pulmonology practices, and now we are able to offer the service here in Ruleville.

“Patients don’t have to go far to get treatment now. We are here at their doorstep providing quality care,” Dr. Munir says.

NSMC’s New Pulmonology Clinic

For the past six years, Dr. Munir has traveled to The Sleep Center of North Sunflower to offer consultations to people with sleep disorders. By adding a pulmonology clinic to the NSMC organization, Dr. Munir will now see patients with a variety of issues, including lung nodules, asthma, bronchitis, chronic lung diseases, illnesses related to chemical exposure and pneumonia, just to name a few. Appointments are available Tuesday – Thursday from 8am – 4:30pm.

Dr. Munir is originally from Pakistan and first considered a medical career after watching his grandfather caring for patients as a family medicine doctor. 

“I was good at science. As I grew up, I would go to his office and shadow him as a student. Then I decided to pursue premedical sciences,” Dr. Munir says. “I wanted to help people like he did.”

Dr. Munir moved to the United States 25 years ago and performed his medical residency in New York at the prestigious Mount Sinai Hospital. He’s chosen the Delta to practice because he cares about the region.

“I love the people and the patients. It is very satisfying to take care of people in the Delta because there is a big need,” said Dr. Munir.

Dr. Munir will continue to see patients from Clarksdale, where he has practiced medicine for 15 years, and said he is happy that North Sunflower Medical Center shares his vision for providing critical care to the Delta community.

Discuss Your Lung Health with Dr. Munir

This transition comes as the COVID-19 pandemic has affected many medical areas, including pulmonology. “The pandemic is still not over. We have been able to take care of conventional COVID,” Dr. Munir says. But he said the more aggressive Delta variant is increasing hospitalizations. 

His advice: “Please get your vaccinations as soon as possible. The first wave took the lives of a lot of people. Many of those who survived may have long term effects.  We want to make sure to get them treatment for the long term.”

Dr. Munir said that technology has improved drugs and treatments for pulmonary illnesses. Schedule an appointment now to meet him to discuss your lung health.

“We are here. We are available. And we are ready to help,” he said.

Alfreda Lofton knew in elementary school that the nursing field would give her a path to help others. She found the best fit for her was as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). And we are sharing her story today as part of National Nursing Assistants Week.

Alfreda went into CNA training right out of high school. She first worked in a hospital. Then a nursing home. And she says she found her home with Hospice of North Sunflower.

Her advice for people considering a CNA career is do it. “You will learn amazing things. You’ll meet amazing people along the way. It’s not about doing a job just so you can get a paycheck,” she says. “You will touch so many lives – in just a few days.”

CNAs are an important part of the North Sunflower Medical Center’s commitment to quality care for our patients. We value our CNAs and celebrate their significant impact on the community.

Alfreda was a babysitter when she was young. And when she started her CNA training, it felt right.

“Everybody said `It just comes naturally to you.’ I love taking care of others,” she said. “There’s nothing else I can see myself doing.”

She said the CNA work is fulfilling because you work so closely with the patients. While you have independence with many tasks, you also get to be part of a team.

“The teamwork comes in when you stay connected with everybody who is part of the group – the chaplain, the social worker, the nurse. You all work together as a team to help that patient,” Alfreda said.

Alfreda’s work is emotional. She assists patients and their families as they are preparing for the end of life. She gets close to her patients and that relationship helps the process.

“You become part of their family. They will never forget the things you did for that loved one,” she said. “My everyday goal is to make someone else more relaxed and comfortable.”

She listens to her patients. And sometimes cries with them.

“I get to be their strength,” she said. “I’m a compassionate and caring person. I knew this was the field of me.”

She has had opportunities to pursue more training in the medical field, but she likes the routine and interaction of her work as a CNA.

When she joined the North Sunflower Medical Center team four years ago, she knew she had found her home.
 
“They greeted me with open arms,” Alfreda said. “I love them because they are like my second family. They are amazing individuals. They let me know they appreciate the work I do. I’m not just another employee.”
 
And Alfreda is right about that. Patients, families and co-workers deeply appreciate the hard work Alfreda – as well as every other CNA who becomes part of North Sunflower Medical Center family – does to make this hospital such a loving and caring place.

Here at North Sunflower Medical Center, we are fortunate to have a world-class team to treat all types of health care needs. From life-saving emergency care, to swing bed, to our ground-breaking sleep center, to our amazing Sunflower Med Spa.
 
The Sunflower Med Spa is hosting their first Botox & Beauty on June 23^rd, so we decided to check in on Dr. Erica Bass, a plastic surgeon on the NSMC team. If you haven’t found an opportunity to visit Dr. Bass and her remarkable colleagues at the Med Spa, you are missing out. 

Dr. Bass tells us that the aging process starts early. At age 25 you are already losing collagen. The good news is there are a lot of options that do not involve surgery. Botox and fillers are among the popular products.
 
“The wonderful thing is in an office visit you can erase five to 10 years. Within several days you have a much more youthful appearance,” Dr. Bass says.
 
Dr. Bass has extensive training in surgery at the University Medical Center in Jackson. But she said she takes a conservative approach to design individual plans for patients.
 
“People worry about looking fake or overdone. Being pretty conservative has helped my patients feel comfortable they are going to get the aesthetic look they want,” she says. “My goal is to restore, not recreate.”

Membership Programs

Dr. Bass says Botox is used in the eye and forehead area – for smile or laugh lines around your eyes or wrinkles from raising your brows. Botox injections are a simple procedure, taking about 15 minutes. Results take five to seven days to fully set in and last for three months.
 
After those three months, patients can decide if they want to repeat or revise the process.
 
Dr. Bass sees many patients who love the results and want to repeat the treatment. The Med Spa has a program to make that easier. With the membership program, members pay a monthly fee for Botox treatments. That means a lower price per unit and helps spread out the cost. Gift certificates are also available.
 
According to Dr. Bass, Botox is also used to treat headaches, and research has found that Botox helps with depression.

She also described Juvéderm as a gel-type joint lubricant. It is injected into laugh lines and other areas, including along the cheekbone. The process takes 5 to 10 minutes and lasts from nine months to two years.

Misconceptions About Botox

Dr. Bass has heard the misconceptions of fillers and Botox.
 
“People tell me I don’t want my lips to look big. Or people think because it’s a toxin it’s bad for you,” she said. “It does not make your wrinkles worse.”
 
Dr. Bass says everyone is familiar with aging, and these products give patients a more youthful appearance.
 
“You can just tell they have gotten their confidence back and they carry themselves more proudly,” she says.
 
The Sunflower Med Spa has a wide variety of options, from Botox, Fillers, OBAGI® Skin Care Products, HydraFacial, Dermaplaning, Laser Treatments and more.
 
“We offer these services in Ruleville, Mississippi, which is incredible. You don’t have to drive to Jackson or Memphis,” Dr. Bass says. “Our team is fantastic: hard-working, sweet, hysterical. We laugh a lot.”

Dr. Bass says her job as a plastic surgeon is to protect patients. She said there are some treatments that she would not use because of inconsistent results.

“I’m not going to try to sell you something,” she says. “I have all the tools and many years of training and expertise and can offer what best suits you.”

To RSVP for this fun event, call (662) 756-2100.

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.