Author Archives: Robyn Marlow

February is a time of showing love to those you care about. Here at North Sunflower Medical Center, we love to celebrate National Heart Month in February. There’s never been a better time to check in on your heart health – or the heart health of those you want to make many memories with in the future.

As we always do in February, our Radiology Department is offering a special heart check-up. For $125 you will receive a CT Calcium Scoring, Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound, and ABI’s and Carotid Ultrasound.

These tests are particularly important if you are age 45 and up, have a family history of heart disease or heart attacks, or if you have risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, are overweight, smoke and infrequently exercise.

The statistics are alarming. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world and one of every three deaths of women is caused by the disease. The warning signs of a heart attack are chest discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea and cold sweat. Warning signs of a stroke are face-arm weakness and speech difficulty.

Let our caring professionals assess your heart health and start 2021 strong. We love our community and want to work with you to stay on a path to a long, wonderful life.

Speaking of love, the National Retail Federation reports that American consumers will spend on average $165 to celebrate Valentine’s Day on things like candy, cards, flowers, food., and even pet gifts. While fewer people are planning traditional romantic dinners out, about half of Americans are expected to celebrate the holiday.

If you are looking for ideas for the loved ones in your life, Simply Sunflower can help. They have a selection of adorable and tasty gifts. Simply Sunflower is open Monday-Friday from 8:30-5:30 and will be open on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 9-1 to fill Valentine’s Day orders. You can find fresh flowers and trendy jewelry or clothing for your sweetheart.

Simply Sunflower makes shopping simple. Drop in and they will take care of you and your Valentine’s needs.

This time of year, we like to look back on the year past and reflect on what we’ve done as a family.  We like to talk about the Heroes of the Year, the events when we came together, brag about the Aster Awards we’ve won.  And then look ahead to the year in front of us and the fun we will have as a health community and a family.

In a lot of ways, 2021 is still a lot like the previous year. We don’t really want to boast on where we’ve been for the past 12 months and we don’t know a lot about where we will be 12 months into the future.

So here is what we know so far: The first part of 2021 is going to be about vaccinations.  We are working to make sure NSMC employees are vaccinated as quickly as possible so that we can continue to provide care for our friends and family members throughout the Delta. According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, (as of today) adults over the age of 65 can get vaccinated.

Mississippians with the following medical conditions are also eligible to get vaccinated:

So far, North Sunflower Medical Center has provided vaccines to 600 medical and essential workers as well as residents of the Walter B. Crook Nursing Facility. When we get more doses, we will continue to vaccinate according to the Department of Health guidelines.

The Mississippi Department of Health has designated some community vaccination sites. None of them yet are located in Sunflower County, but we are hopeful they will name one soon.  You can see the full list of vaccination locations by clicking HERE. You will need to make an appointment, either by going on the MDHS website, or by calling (601) 965-4071.

Click HERE to view the 4 new videos about COVID 19 vaccinations at North Sunflower Medical Center.

It is important to remember as vaccinations are rolled out, we need to continue to reduce the spread until we can acquire herd immunity.  The CDC guidelines say that you should still continue to wear a mask and maintain social distancing after you get vaccinated. Here are a couple of important reasons:

1. It takes time for the effectiveness of the vaccine to build up.  It can take up to two weeks after you receive the second shot for the vaccine to be 95% effective.

2. Scientists do not know if you can still spread the disease to others after you get vaccinated.  Think of it this way, the vaccine will keep you from getting sick with COVID-19.  It may not keep you from getting other people sick.  No one knows yet if you can continue to spread the disease to others who have NOT been vaccinated.

If there is one thing we learned from 2020, it is that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Estimates for when vaccines will be available to everyone are all over the map.  The only thing we can promise is that we will keep you updated when we know more.

If we were to dream up a calendar for the year ahead, it would include reaching herd immunity as fast as possible, so that our lives can return to somewhat normal. It would include fun events like Birdies and Backhands in May and The Great Ruleville Roast in September.  It would include big gatherings for Hero of the Month and Hero of the Year to celebrate those that have worked so hard to keep us safe. And a giant Christmas party for all of us to get together safely and enjoy all of the things we had to give up to stay safe in 2020.

But before we move onto 2021 and confronting the challenge ahead, we want to look back on 2020 one last time to remember Mary Rose. As the administrator of the Walter B Crook Nursing Facility, Mary’s smile was infectious and her laugh was contagious.  She was a bright spot to everyone who met her.

Mary used to say, “If you don’t have a big heart, this is not the job for you.”  Mary had a huge heart. All we can hope for 2021 is that Mary’s great big loving heart lives in all of our hearts for the rest of our days.

Amen

Stacy Davis has been busy wrapping presents this week to be delivered to all patients at North Sunflower Medical Center. Usually, presents are delivered by Santa and Mrs. Claus, but the delivery will be a little different this year.

Even Jolly Ole St. Nick is subject to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions when it comes to visiting healthcare facilities.  This year, NSMC’s nursing staff are stepping in to deliver presents and keep up the tradition, making sure everyone is touched by generosity.

“Many patients are miles away from their families and are unable to have visitors. When a patient spends Christmas with us, we want them to feel part of our North Sunflower family,’’ Stacy says.

Stacy is the Associate Executive Director of the North Sunflower Medical Foundation. She brings joy to patients and staff year-round, in big and small ways. Like all jobs, hers has been different this year.

“The pandemic had an impact on some of our fundraising efforts; however, we worked hard to make sure hospital employees know how much their work is appreciated. We began with a small gesture of delivering cupcakes to all departments. Later the foundation gave $20 Visa gift cards to all employees and just recently gave $50 in gift cards to be used at local businesses to the employees that are currently giving to the foundation. We try to keep giving back,” she says.

Despite the obstacles, once again this year, the foundation was able to donate $10,000 for needed equipment and $10,000 for educational purposes to North Sunflower Medical Center. These grants help address the needs within the hospital.

Two other projects include the completion of the new ambulance building located across the street from the hospital and the renovation of facilities for the NSMC Maintenance Department.

“Now, more than ever, we are all reminded of the importance of having our local hospital filled with excellent physicians and staff who are meeting the demands required of them during this unprecedented pandemic.  As a donor of North Sunflower Medical Foundation, gifts small or large make an impact on our hospital, in the lives of our patients and our community,’’ Stacy says.

Over the past several years, North Sunflower Medical Center has provided wound care to patients with diabetes throughout the Delta. For most of us, a small cut on the foot is a minor issue, but for many patients with diabetes, this can become a life-threatening situation without proper wound care. 

We partner with RestorixHealth so that we can provide some of the best wound care in the nation, right here in Ruleville. Karen Bell with RestorixHealth has been a good friend to our entire NSMC family.  We wanted to talk with her about how diabetic wounds can become a real problem for our patients, and how we work with our patients to help them avoid small foot ulcers from becoming a big problem.

What is a diabetic foot ulcer? 
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore on your foot that fails to heal. They often occur on the bottom of your feet but can occur anywhere skin or tissue breaks down or is cut open.

Why do diabetic foot ulcers occur? 
Normally, if you injure your foot, you feel pain that alerts you to the injury. You then take steps to treat it: clean the wound, apply a bandage and perhaps ointment, and replace poor fitting shoes if that is the underlying problem. Your body continues the healing process and your foot heals well.
But when you have diabetes, your natural healing process and pain reflexes can be disrupted. If you develop poor circulation in your legs and feet (peripheral arterial disease or PAD), have high blood sugar, or both, healing slows down.

If you have nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), your feet may feel numb. Or you may have no feeling at all. In either case, the injury may be painless. When that happens, blisters, cuts, and sores can go unnoticed. That’s when serious problems can begin.

Why are diabetic foot ulcers so harmful to me? 
Diabetic foot ulcers can be downright dangerous. They are the leading cause of amputation and hospitalization when you have diabetes.
If infection spreads throughout your body, or severe ligament, muscle, and bone damage occurs, amputation may be necessary. In less severe cases, you may need surgery to remove tissue that has died.

In the best circumstances, it takes weeks to several months for a diabetic foot ulcer to heal.
Having diabetes puts you a much greater risk for a foot ulcer. Once you have had one, you are more likely to develop another.

What can I do to prevent them? 
Although preventing a diabetic foot ulcer is not always possible, you can take steps to reduce your risk.
Here are my 6 basic rules to help prevent diabetic foot ulcers:

• Keep your blood sugar at your target level throughout the day.
• Practice daily foot care. Wash, thoroughly dry, moisturize (except between toes), and carefully inspect your feet every day. Use a mirror or helper if needed.
• Eat a healthy diet as advised by your doctor and dietician.
• Keep your toenails trimmed, cutting straight across.
• Have a podiatrist remove corns and calluses.

To make an appointment with our amazing diabetic wound care team, call 877-295-2273 and visit www.northsunflower.com for more information. 

Back in October of 2019, we talked with Alice Pyles, Director of Radiology here at the Sunflower Medical Center.  It was Breast Cancer Awareness month and we wanted to learn more about the 3D mammography’s her team provides. NSMC is still the only hospital in the Delta that provides this groundbreaking technology so it was a pretty big deal for us.

Well, November 9^th– 13^th  was National Radiologic Technology Week, so we decided to check back in with her to see how things are going. Not surprisingly, her team is fighting to get through 2020 just like the rest of us.

“People think about radiology as being back in the department, away from all the action,” Alice told us. “When we are working with a patient with COVID, we are central to the care that patient receives.  In many cases putting our own health and safety on the line, working closely with the infected patient, to help identify what respiratory issues they are experiencing by taking images to confirm the diagnosis.”

Radiologic technologists are an important part of your wellness team when you come to North Sunflower Medical Center. The work of technologists, including imaging scans, leads to a longer life expectancy and improved medical outcomes. Scans are an important diagnostic tool that can save patients money and provide a diagnosis to the referring provider.

Working with referring physicians, technologists are experts in doing proper imaging while providing excellent care to the patients.

“It’s a lot more than taking pictures and producing images,” Alice said. “In a lot of cases, we know what the patient is dealing with before their physician does.  When we see they have an infectious disease, our job is to confidently treat them with the level of care we would want for our own families – even when that puts our own people at risk.”

Dr. Jason Morris, staff Radiologist, provides our radiologic technologist with guidance to help our patients get the best diagnosis. This, in turn, provides our providers with a diagnosis to treat the patient.

Alice says that NSMC has an amazing team of radiology techs who lovingly care for their patients. “You get to know people a little bit more with each visit. We remember them when they come back and you develop a real relationship over time. All of us come to love each of our patients, and that makes me proud to be part of this remarkable team.”

Last week we told you about our Bling a Bra for Breast Cancer awareness.  Since 2020 is bringing us something called ‘voting season,’ we are giving you one last chance to get your vote in for the best Blinged Bra. Winners will be announced on Friday, October 30. Scroll to the bottom and click on the link to vote for your favorite.

Show your support for your favorite Blinged-Out Bra. Click on the link below for your favorite:

#1 Save the Hooters
#2 Pearly Whites
#3 Cancer Sucks
#4 Red Ribbon
#5 Zip Away Cancer
#6 Double Ribbon
#7 Boobie Beads
#8 Cure & Hope
#9 Pink-tober
#10 Stars & Stripes Forever

Winners will be announced on October 30th.

Sunflower Diagnostic Center of North Sunflower Medical Center is proud to offer 3D Mammography! Clinically proven to deliver a more comfortable mammogram and proven to detect 20-65% more invasive breast cancer than 2D alone. It’s the only mammogram FDA approved as superior for women with dense breast tissue compared to 2D mammography.

During the month of October, 3D mammograms will be offered for $125. Call (662) 756-4000 to find out more. Open Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm with extended hours Tuesday until 6 pm. We are located in the beautiful downtown area of Ruleville – 101 E. Floyce Street.

We are trying something a little different for this Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We asked people to show off their design skills and decorate a bra for prizes.  We had 10 submissions for our Bling-a-Bra contest.

And the results went well beyond our high expectations.  Y’all are a brilliant bunch of bra blingers.

According to the World Health Organization, there are about 1.38 million new cases and 458,000 deaths from breast cancer each year. Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide.

Here at Sunflower Diagnostic Center, bringing awareness to breast cancer is serious fun.

There are more than 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., including patients who are undergoing treatment and those who have completed it. This month we celebrate with survivors and honor those we have lost to this disease.

Sunflower Diagnostic Center of North Sunflower Medical Center is proud to offer 3D Mammography! Clinically proven to deliver a more comfortable mammogram and proven to detect 20-65% more invasive breast cancer than 2D alone. It’s the only mammogram FDA approved as superior for women with dense breasts compared to 2D mammography.

During the month of October, 3D mammograms will be offered for $125. Call (662) 756-4000 to find out more. Open Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm with extended hours Tuesday until 6 pm. We are located in the beautiful downtown area of Ruleville – 101 E. Floyce Street.

Show your support for your favorite Blinged-Out Bra. Click on the link below for your favorite.

#1 Save the Hooters
#2 Pearly Whites
#3 Cancer Sucks
#4 Red Ribbon
#5 Zip Away Cancer
#6 Double Ribbon
#7 Boobie Beads
#8 Cure & Hope
#9 Pink-tober
#10 Stars & Stripes Forever

Winners will be announced on October 30th.