Forrest General Hospital

Recent posts

26th Annual Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo Set for Feb. 18-19

A Bareback bronco rider at the St. Paul Rodeo ...

Image via Wikipedia

The “Greatest Show on Dirt,” otherwise known as the Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo hosted by The Department of Recreational Sports, is coming to Hattiesburg Feb. 18 and 19, 2011.

Raymond Whitehead, M.D., orthopedic surgeon with Hattiesburg Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, will serve as Grand Marshal of this year’s event. Dr. Whitehead is a native of Hattiesburg, who received his medical degree at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, Ala. He completed a general surgery internship and orthopedic surgery residency at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Ga., followed by a fellowship in sports medicine, arthroscopy and arthroscopic reconstructive surgery at the Orthopaedic Research of Virginia in Richmond, Va.

Each year at the rodeo cowboys and cowgirls show off their elite skills in barrel racing, calf roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, team roping, and bull riding. The top riders qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo which is held in Las Vegas, Nev. The Hattiesburg rodeo is a fundraiser for student scholarships and professional development.

usm“We are fortunate that the rodeo continues to be produced by Smith, Harper and Morgan Rodeo, the producers of the Dixie Nationals and provider of livestock to the National Finals Rodeo,” said Sid Gonsoulin, associate vice president for student affairs at Southern Miss.”Because of the quality and consistency of a professionally produced PRCA/WPRA rodeo, we have been able to provide scholarships annually to Southern Miss students.”

Lecile Harries, six-time Pro Rodeo Clown of the Year, will be making an appearance at the rodeo this year. Lecile, a 50-year rodeo veteran, works nearly 125 performances a year at the world’s biggest rodeos. He got his start as a bullfighter in the 1950’s and 60’s and helped transform the sport from thrill show to the skillful art it is today. He has also worked on various TV shows including a regular role on “HEE HAW” and movies like “The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James” and “W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings” with Burt Reynolds.

“Lecile’s comedic mannerisms, acts and jokes are copied by clowns and showmen across the globe,” declared Bob Lowe, retired director of Southern Miss Dining and Grand Marshal of the 18th Annual Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo. “For nearly half a century, Lecile’s bullfighting and comedic ability have saved many a cowboy and brought smiles and laughter to millions of people. He is truly one of rodeo’s legends.”

As usual, the Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo will be held at the James Lynn Cartlidge Forrest County Multi Purpose Center on Highway 49 South. Rodeo tickets are available at TJ’s Western Ware on U.S. Highway 49 in Hattiesburg. Tickets are $10 and all seats are reserved.

The rodeo is sponsored by Coca-Cola, Southern Beverage, Comcast, B-95, McMullan Motors, Polk’s Meat Products, Keith’s Super Stores, Forrest General Hospital, Landry and Lewis Architects, Copy Cats Printing, The Hattiesburg American, and Southern Miss Recreational Sports.

Filed under: Featured, Hattiesburg, Lifestyle, Sports, USM, Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo, Comcast Corporation, Dixie Nationals, Forrest General Hospital, James Lynn Cartlidge Forrest County Multi Purpose Center, Landry Architects, Lewis Architects, McMullan Motors, Raymond Whitehead, Rodeo, Southern Miss, Sports, sports medicine

Forrest General Chaplains to Host Monthly Clergy Prayer Breakfast

HATTIESBURG- Forrest General’s Pastoral Services staff will host their monthly clergy prayer breakfast on Thursday, February 17 in the Elm Room at the hospital from 7:45 until 8:45 a.m.

Breakfast for all officially registered members of the local clergy will be complimentary, courtesy of Forrest General. All members of the clergy should present their yellow clergy registration card to receive their breakfast. If you are a member of the clergy and do not have a card, please see the Information Hostess at the hospital front desk prior to breakfast to register.

This month, Dr. Clint White, Neonatologist, will attend to discuss the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit coming to Forrest General Hospital.  At the conclusion of each meeting, attendees will form small groups for prayer. The hospital’s Pastoral Services staff hopes that these meetings will assist area clergy in meeting the spiritual needs of congregations and the community.

All clergy members are asked to call or email to RSVP for the breakfast by contacting Brian Williamson, coordinator of Forrest General’s Pastoral Services, at 601-288-4227 or BAWilliamson@forrestgeneral.com.

Filed under: Hattiesburg, Religion, BAWilliamson@forrestgeneral.com, Clergy, Forrest, Forrest General, Forrest General Hospital, Hattiesburg

FGH SUPPORT GROUP HOSTS DIABETES SPEAKER

Blood glucose testing, showing the size of blo...

Image via Wikipedia

Forrest General Hospital’s Adult Diabetes Support Group will meet Wednesday, February 16 from 3:00-4:00 PM in the Education Classroom at LiveWell.  The session will feature guest speaker Megan Long from CCS Medical.  The focus topic will be “Testing Your Glucose.”

The Adult Diabetes Support Group addresses the special needs of people with diabetes, providing the opportunity for discussion on topics such as nutrition, medicines, foot and eye care, complications, motivations, exercises and blood glucose monitoring. Meetings occur on the third Wednesday of every month and are free to the public.

For more information, call The Diabetes Care Center at 601-288-1780 or email sparham@forrestgeneral.com.

The LiveWell Center is a service of Forrest General.

Filed under: Featured, Diabetes, Diabetes Care Center, Forrest General, Forrest General Hospital, Health/Medical/Pharmaceuticals, LiveWell Center

Dance Your Health Out at the Seventh Annual Day of Dance!

HATTIESBURG- Dance Your Health Out at the 7th Annual Day of Dance for Health hosted by Forrest General Hospital’s Spirit of Women! Day of Dance for Health will take place on Saturday, February 26, 2011, at the Lake Terrace Convention Center from 9 a.m. until noon.  This interactive community event brings together consumers and healthcare providers for an educational celebration of the benefits of dance and exercise for the prevention of heart disease.

The event is provided free to the community and no registration is required thanks to sponsors the Hattiesburg American, Signature Magazine, and the Forrest County Board of Supervisors.

The event will include consumer education on heart disease, health screenings and assessments, dance instruction, entertainment, door prizes, vendor booths, Day of Dance tattoos for the kids, and much more!  Local television celebrities Randy Swan and Miranda Beard from WDAM-TV will co-host the event. Don’t miss the fourth annual “Celebrity Dancing with the Stars” contest beginning at 10 a.m.

Participating local celebrities include Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality Jordan Whittle, WDAM-TV personalities Rex Thompson and Colleen Donovan, Forrest County Supervisor Chris Bowen, Anita Wright of The Hattiesburg Convention Center, and Dr. Barbara Mauldin of Petal.  Below is an outline of the day’s activities:

9:00 a.m.        Welcome & Introductions

9:10 a.m.        Interactive Dance Session, Screenings Open

9:30 a.m.        Dance Performances

10:00 a.m.      Mayoral Proclamation

10:05 a.m.      Celebrity Dancing with the Stars Contest

11:00 a.m.      Interactive Dance Session

11:20 a.m.      Dance Performances

11:55 a.m.      Door Prize Give-away

Noon               Closing Comments, Screenings Close

For more information on Day of Dance or other Spirit of Women events or Forrest General services, call FGH OnCall at 1-800-844-4445 or visit forrestgeneral.com.

Filed under: Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Medical, Anita Wright, Barbara Mauldin, Chris Bowen, Colleen Donovan, Forrest County Board of Supervisors, Forrest General Hospital, Hospitality Jordan Whittle, Lake Terrace Convention Center, Miranda Beard, Rex Thompson

Lt. David Holland took 25 photos of life on the street of Baghdad during his tour of duty in 2008. (Submitted photo)

(Hattiesburg, MS) – (January 24, 2011) – The American Cancer Society and Forrest General Hospital have officially unveiled the new Cancer Resource Center. The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Resource Center offers cancer patients in Hattiesburg a new place to turn for the most up-to-date cancer information, services and programs.
The ceremony took place Friday, January 21, at 11 a.m. at the Forrest General Cancer Center. The opening ceremony featured a ribbon cutting by medical staff and guest speakers. The Cancer Resource Center is a partnership between the American Cancer Society and Forrest General Hospital.

Forrest General and American Cancer Society administrators, representatives and volunteers joined together on January 21 to cut the ribbon on a new Cancer Resource Center at the Forrest General Cancer Center.

“The Cancer Resource Center is an important way that the programs and services offered by the American Cancer Society are brought to where the patient is,” says Janet Watson, Mississippi Health Initiatives Director for the American Cancer Society. “Cancer Resource Centers provide a personal connection to the patient and the community in such a user friendly way.”

The American Cancer Society recruits and trains local Cancer Resource Center volunteers. These volunteers are trained to navigate the American Cancer Society website and the Society’s Community Resource Database. Volunteers provide patients with information for understanding cancer, managing each day through treatment and recovery, and finding emotional support they need.

“This Cancer Resource Center will not only supplement and compliment what a patient’s treatment will do, but also provide emotional support from the volunteers to the patients and their families,” says Watson. “We at the American Cancer Society know that providing an informational and supportive place is so very important in the journey through a cancer diagnosis. This is what Cancer Resource Centers are all about.”

Wigs, hats and scarves are also available for patients undergoing cancer treatments and facing partial or total loss of hair.

“Forrest General is excited to partner with the American Cancer Society to bring this valuable resource to our patients and community,” said Forrest General Oncology Service Line Leader Janet Gallaspy. “We are eager to be able to provide additional assistance for our patients through the new Cancer Resource Center.”

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 Divisions and local and millions of volunteers across the United States. For cancer information anytime day or night, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

For more information on the Forrest General Cancer Center, visit forrestgeneral.com or call FGH OnCall at 1-800-844-4445.

Filed under: Business, Featured, Hattiesburg, Medical, American Cancer Society, Cancer Resource Center, Forrest General Cancer Center, Forrest General Hospital, Health/Medical/Pharmaceuticals, Janet Gallaspy, Janet Watson, Medicine, Mississippi Health Initiatives, Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute

School of Music to Host Vocal Arts and Science Symposium Jan. 21-22

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The University of Southern Mississippi School of Music will blend two popular disciplines when it hosts the inaugural Vocal Arts and Science Symposium on the Hattiesburg campus January 21-22.

Featured clinicians will include two of the nation’s leading pedagogical and voice experts: Dr. Karen Peeler, professor of voice and vocal pedagogy at Ohio State University and Dr. Thomas Cleveland, director of vocology at Vanderbilt’s Bill Wilkerson Center.

Southern Miss professors representing the departments of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Theatre and Dance, Mass Communication and Journalism and the School of Music will participate in panel discussions, lectures and the recital.

Additionally, local speech therapists, hearing specialists and professional singers will be serving as panelists and speakers. Physicians from Hattiesburg Clinic and Wesley Medical Center will also offer their expertise and assistance. These include: otolaryngologists, John D. Sobiesk, M.D., Robert McCrary, M.D., FAAAI-ENT and facial plastic surgery, and Charles E. Guice, III, M.D. FACS-ENT and facial plastic surgery.

Symposium topics will include voice production, tension and injury, among many others. Master classes will be available to give practical methods and techniques on vocal improvement in speech and various styles of singing.

“This is a totally different and new realm of interdisciplinary collaboration,” said Dr. Kimberley Davis, associate professor of voice at Southern Miss. “This is a significant event being that it is the first time to bring the realms of art and science together face-to-face. We have the opportunity to appreciate and develop a respect for each other while gaining knowledge in and of the other field.”

“Great teachers are always looking for new techniques or fresh ways of communicating their subject matter or concepts. This symposium is the perfect opportunity to do so.”

The symposium is open to members of the National Associations of Teachers of Singing (NATS), the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), private studio teachers, professional singers and speakers, K-12 teachers, choir members/directors, students and all who have an interest in professional or avocational voice usage.

A recital titled, “The Joy of Singing” will take place Friday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg. The concert is free and open to the public.

Symposium sponsors include Forrest General Hospital, Hattiesburg Clinic ENT Associates, Partners for the Arts, National Association of Teachers of Singing Inc., DuBard School for Language Disorders and Kappa Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota.

For more information or to register, visit www.usm.edu/music/index.php/studios or call The University of Southern Mississippi Office of Professional Development and Educational Outreach at 601.266.4186.

Filed under: Arts, Medical, USM, Charles E. Guice, DuBard School for Language Disorders, Forrest General Hospital, Hattiesburg, Hattiesburg Clinic and Wesley Medical Center, Hattiesburg Clinic ENT Associates, Hattiesburg Mississippi, John D. Sobiesk, Kimberley Davis, Music, Music Teachers National Association, Robert McCrary, Singing, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi Office of Professional Development and Educational Outreach, University of Southern Mississippi School of Music, Wesley Medical Center, Westminster Presbyterian Church

Former First Lady Laura Bush to visit Hattiesburg for Spirit of Women Spring Event, “Caring from the Heart: A Woman’s Legacy”

ATTENTION: All tickets for this event are now SOLD OUT and the waiting list is full.

HATTIESBURG- Forrest General’s Spirit of Women is proud to announce that Laura W. Bush, former First Lady of the United States, will be paying a visit to Hattiesburg as part of the Spirit of Women signature Spring Event 2011, “Caring from the Heart: A Woman’s Legacy.” This event, to be held on April 28 at the Lake Terrace Convention Center, is sure to be an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience for women of all ages as they hear from one of the most famous and influential American women of the 21st Century.

Attendees at this event will be treated to a delicious luncheon featuring a keynote address from Mrs. Bush, as well as a very special gift to commemorate the occasion. Attendees will also be able to purchase a copy of Mrs. Bush’s recent memoir, Spoken From The Heart, a beautiful recounting of Bush’s life including her eight years in the White House.

“Spirit of Women is delighted and honored to be able to host Laura Bush in Hattiesburg, giving our community the opportunity to hear this well-respected, dynamic woman who is not only an important figure in our nation’s history, but also in the areas of education, human rights, and most importantly, women’s health,” said Millie Swan, Forrest General Chief Marketing and Medical Staff Services Officer. “Forrest General’s Spirit of Women is designed to move women to take action for their health, and we feel that Mrs. Bush’s focus on women’s health as well as her notoriety will contribute to creating a once-in-a-lifetime event that our community will not want to miss.”

This event will also feature the 2011 Spirit in Action Awards. Celebrating Spirit in Action, these annual awards honor the talent and dedication of men and women who act to make their communities healthier, safer, and more inspirational places to live. Forrest General Hospital’s Spirit of Women program will present the 2011 Spirit in Action Awards to four people from across the Pine Belt, chosen based on the contributions they have made to the issues Pine Belt community members face in the areas of work, family and health; and for their devotion to making our community a healthier, safer and more inspirational place to live.

Spirit of Women previously hosted Mrs. Bush’s mother-in-law, former First Lady Barbara Bush, at the 2006 Spring Symposium. The event resulted in a record turnout of women from across the Pine Belt, and the 2011 event promises to be equally successful! Space is limited for this event, so make plans now to gather your friends and attend this once-in-a-lifetime event. Tickets will be available beginning January 3, 2011. After that date, please call FGH OnCall’s Spirit of Women reservation line at 601-288-4968 to purchase tickets or for more information about this signature event. Visa and Mastercard accepted. Reservations will also be accepted throughforrestgeneral.com using PayPal. Cost to attend the event is $45 for Spirit of Women members and $65 for non-members. For reserved seating, you may purchase a table for 10. All other reservations will be first-come, first-served. Tickets will be mailed during the month of March.

About Laura Bush

Laura Bush, one of the most popular first ladies in history, is a compelling advocate for issues of national and global concern. As an educator and former first lady of Texas and the United States, Mrs. Laura Bush has a unique and wide-ranging perspective. She is actively involved in issues of national and global concern, with a particular emphasis on education, women’s health and human rights. She has investigated and showcased successful programs for early childhood education, at-risk youth, global literacy and preservation of our national parks and heritage sites. And through her travels to countries as diverse as Afghanistan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and <Panama>, she has helped to shatter old taboos and oppressions and launch groundbreaking educational and health-care advances for women. Mrs. Bush recently sat down with NBC News and FOX News to talk about her work on education, women’s health issues and life after the White House. Her memoir, Spoken From the Heart, is a New York Times #1 best seller. Biography courtesy of Washington Speaker’s Bureau.

Filed under: Business, Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Medical, Barbara Bush, First Lady of the United States, Forrest General, Forrest General Hospital, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Lake Terrace Convention Center, Laura W. Bush, Republican Party

Forrest General announces Jones as 2010 Employee of the Year

HATTIESBURG- Forrest General is pleased to announce that Kathy Jones has been selected as the hospital’s Employee of the Year for 2010. The award was given during the annual Forrest General Employee Christmas Party on December 10.

Jones began work at Forrest General in 1997 in Inpatient Registration. Following several promotions, she eventually landed in a role in 2005 that allowed her to train all of the incoming new employees for Inpatient, Outpatient and Emergency Department registration, as well as continuous training of the existing Registration employees. Currently, Jones serves as Insurance Coordinator for the newly-opened Outpatient Cardiac Catheterization Lab area. In this role, Jones has the opportunity to be an important part of creating positive patient experiences as she greets patients, verifies information and assigns patients to their rooms. She also assists nurses in gathering information vital to the patient’s care and treatment during their stay.

Forrest General Employee of the Year 2010 Kathy Jones takes time to meet Forrest General’s new mascots, Forrest and Emerald, who also star in the exclusive children’s book Forrest The Little Deer, co-written by Millie Swan and Jamie O’Quinn and illustrated by Kelly Arcarese Stanford.

“Kathy is a foundation of not only Registration but of Forrest General Hospital,” said Robin Strickland, Forrest General Registration Director. “As our trainer, she embodies the We C.A.R.E. philosophy and infuses our staff with these values so that they take care of our patients and their families in the best possible way. The staff loves working with her and while they are sorry to complete training, they are well prepared once they leave her care. Kathy loves Forrest General Hospital and Registration – we couldn’t ask for a more giving or dedicated employee!”

“The most rewarding part of my job is the feeling I have at the end of the day, knowing that in some way I have touched a patient’s life with care and concern,” said Jones. “I was totally surprised by the announcement at the Christmas party that I was Employee of the Year. My director, Robin Strickland, did an excellent job of keeping this a secret!” In addition to the big announcement, Jones was also surprised at the party by the presence of several family members, including her mother, Tene Webster, her sister, Wanda Denley and her daughter, Shannon Sanders.

For more information on Forrest General and its available services, call FGH OnCall at 1-800-844-4445 or visit forrestgeneral.com.

Filed under: Business, Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Medical, Forrest General, Forrest General Hospital, Kathy Jones, Shannon Sanders, Tene Webster, Wanda Denley

Groundbreaking Ceremony Held For New Highland Community Hospital

PICAYUNE- On December 8, representatives from Forrest General Hospital, Highland Community Hospital, Roy Anderson Corporation and Forrest and Pearl River Counties participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Highland Community Hospital, moving one step closer to making the vision of this new hospital facility in Picayune a reality.

In May 2006, Forrest General purchased what was then Crosby Memorial Hospital, renaming it Highland Community Hospital. These efforts to further enhance the healthcare available in the region also included plans to construct a new hospital facility in the future. Those plans are now being translated into visible development, with site work already completed in the new location and construction scheduled to begin in early December. The new hospital will be located on Highway 11 in Picayune on a 31-acre parcel of land, 20 of which was donated by Carle Cooper of Picayune. Design of the hospital was and will continue to be a joint effort between hospital administration, the medical and hospital staff, and Roy Anderson Corporation.

“Based upon the input we have received from the Picayune area, the community wants a modern health care facility that can better meet their needs,” said Evan Dillard, Forrest General President and CEO. “We are excited about the opportunity of creating a special health care facility that can be an asset to the community.”

In addition to the hospital, two new physician office buildings will be constructed on the site, with one to be completed in the summer of 2011 and the second to be completed on the same timeline as the new hospital facility, which is April 2012. The new Highland Community Hospital will be located at Highland Commons, a planned unit development consisting of approximately 300 acres. According to Cooper Company, who is developing the property, about half of Highland Commons will be residential, including single family homes and condos, and the remainder of the property will be commercial and office-professional, including a multi-use town center.

“As a lifelong resident of Picayune, I am honored to be a part of moving our already fine healthcare services into a modern, state-of-the-art facility,” said Mark Stockstill, Highland’s Chief Operating Officer. “The residents of Picayune deserve world class healthcare right here at home, and we are committed to providing these services in a safe, high quality, patient and family friendly environment.”

The new hospital will provide more services than ever before, including an expanded Emergency Room and more space for obstetrical care, surgery and other procedures, as well as additional diagnostic and x-ray technology, allowing residents of the Picayune area to receive even higher quality medical care in their hometown. Phase one of the new hospital will initially feature 60 inpatient beds and a modern layout designed to accommodate the latest trends in health care. Highland’s outpatient services will also expand greatly to meet the needs of the growing local population. It is projected that the first patients will be seen in the new facility beginning in July 2012.

For more information on Highland Community Hospital’s available services, call Highland OnCall at 1-888-280-1151 or visit www.highlandch.com.

An Artist's Rendering of the New Highland Community Hospital

Filed under: Business, Featured, Hattiesburg, Medical, Crosby Memorial Hospital, Evan Dillard, Forrest General Hospital, Highland Community Hospital, hospital, Mark Stockstill, Picayune, Roy Anderson Corporation

Dixie Darlings share smiles with Forrest General patients

HATTIESBURG- The University of Southern Mississippi’s Dixie Darlings visited patients at Forrest General Hospital on Tuesday, taking time to share laughs and smiles with patients and their families. Fourteen members of the dance team talked with patients and handed out autographed Dixie Darling posters in the Pediatrics and Rehabilitation Departments. Pictured are the Southern Miss Dixie Darlings and 19-year-old Forrest General patient Jordan Merritt.

Filed under: Featured, Hattiesburg, Medical, Sports, USM, Dixie Darlings, Forrest General Hospital, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi’s Dixie Darlings