Arnold Luciano Has Seen 50 Years of Progress in Ruleville
Arnold U. Luciano knows about quality health care. He invests in our hospital because he’s seen over the past five decades what a thriving medical center means to the community.
Arnold’s dad started work at North Sunflower Hospital as a radiologist fifty years ago. His mom spent time on the nursing team. He worked at the hospital during his high school years.
Arnold eventually chose a career in law, not medicine, but he honors his parents with his service on the North Sunflower Medical Foundation.
We are fortunate to have someone with a deep understanding of the Delta, its residents, and the importance of access to critical care. We talked to him about his years on the foundation – including serving as a founding member – and his hopes for the future.
Arnold Luciano’s Story
“I have always loved that hospital and the people that worked there. I want to see that hospital succeed and was happy to be chosen to be a part of the foundation, whose purpose and mission is not only to assist and support the hospital but the surrounding community. Ruleville will forever be my “home” – just as that hospital will always be my choice for medical treatment,” Arnold tells us.
Arnold’s law practice is in Cleveland, but he grew up in Ruleville. His dad worked for North Sunflower Hospital from 1973 until his retirement in 2016.
We asked Arnold about the importance of a small-town thriving hospital.
“It is a must – growing up in Ruleville, the hospital was much smaller than it is now. It offered fewer services. If and when a deeper need for medical service arose, a patient was sent elsewhere. And more often than not, that elsewhere necessitated a long drive. In emergencies, that could be the difference between life and death.
Surviving, Growing and Flourishing
“In the late 90s and early 2000s, community hospitals faced closures due to lack of funds, high insurance costs, and a shortage of medical professionals (nurses and physicians). However, due to some wonderful people and innovative thinking, the hospital survived, grew, and flourished into what you see today. Without that, Ruleville would be just another of the `dying’ towns of the MS Delta,” he says.
Arnold was an original member of the foundation. Then, about two years ago, he generously agreed to return to service.
He believes in the hospital.
“Due to the growth of the hospital, NSMC now employs a great many people throughout the MS Delta and offers a superior level of medical care and services – not found in many of the surrounding towns and communities,” Arnold said.
“Throughout the MS Delta, people might be closer to Greenwood, Greenville, Indianola, and/or Cleveland – the bigger towns of the MS Delta. However, they will still come to Ruleville for medical treatment – because I believe NSMC offers such a fantastic level of care and medical treatment,” he tells us.
While many MS Delta towns and communities are shrinking, Ruleville and its numerous employees still thrive. And that is, in large part, because of the hospital,” he says.
Arnold says the pharmacy and clinic are standouts at North Sunflower Medical Center. In addition, there’s caring service.
“Many people complain about a lack of customer service or care in the industry – not at NSMC. Historically, there was always a complaint of waiting for hours in an emergency room, not at the after-hours clinic at NSMC. The ever-growing medical “arena” at NSMC offers a wide range of services – orthopedic/cardio/radiological/pulmonary. At one time, those services necessitated a trip to Jackson or Memphis,” he says.
Running and Walking
When Arnold is not practicing law, spending time with family, or assisting with the foundation, you will find him outside walking or running. Each December, he participates in the St. Jude Marathon weekend.
“Running and walking is a great cardio and full body exercise that has a tremendous impact not only on your physical health but also on your mental well-being. I find a level of peace when running that I highly and consistently recommend to others. It becomes a great time to let the worries of the world pass you by. It’s a great time to talk to God. . .to focus and relax. . .to almost meditate. . .we all need some form of physical activity, and for me, running/walking is when I’m at peace,” he says.
As we approach the season of giving, Arnold says he’s always been impressed by the number of NSMC employees who automatically deduct money from their paychecks to go to the North Sunflower Medical Foundation.
“From time to time, and over the years, we sometimes reach 100% employee giving. I believe that is a testament to the fact that the employees believe in the hospital,” he says.
“It is not just a place to work. It’s part of their livelihood. It’s part of the community – that tells you that THEY believe in the hospital. They take pride in the hospital – and that is something I believe Ruleville, the hospital, and the Foundation, should be very of – because you do not see that very often.”
Special note from Arnold:
After my father, Dr. Vicente C. Luciano, Jr., passed away on October 6, 2023, I received so many texts, messages, e-mails, and calls providing me with stories and praise for my father, recounting memories and how they missed him there. The one thing that stands out above all is how he greeted everyone with a smile and that everyone who encountered him – whether it be a patient, nurse, physician, or administrator – loved him and had the utmost respect for him. All the radiology technicians gave my family and me countless stories of how gracious and kind he was – even in the most difficult of times. He loved going to work there. He loved the nurses, physicians, and patients – even after his retirement, he consistently returned just to look around and say hello. When “telemedicine” became available, my father took part in it. But instead of just reading “on-line,” the other doctors loved him because he was always happy and willing to go to the hospital in person to read the films, assist, or consult with the treating physician. His heart was in that hospital.