Governor Tate Reeves joined SCRMC for a well-attended press conference where an array of exciting new developments at SCRMC were announced. Among these included institutional approval from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education on SCRMC becoming a designated site for physician residency programs, the network-wide Epic transition – creating approximately 60 new jobs – and the partnership with Covington County Hospital to open a Rural Emergency Hospital in Smith County later this year.

These new developments, however, did not emerge overnight. Under the leadership of Gregg Gibbes, SCRMC President and CEO, SCRMC has been undergoing major changes over the past 14 months, including the hiring of many new exemplary providers and staff, physical renovations and improvements, and collaborative work with its partner hospitals.

Governor Reeves, who has devoted time and resources to making healthcare in the state affordable and accessible, raved about the strides SCRMC is making to provide excellent care in a rural area.

“Today’s announcement is huge for the future medical community in Laurel, in Jones County and beyond,” said Governor Reeves. “Mississippi is grateful to every one of you who get up every day and go to work, hoping to improve the healthcare lives of our fellow Mississippians. We thank you for the role you play in making Mississippians healthier, helping them live longer and allowing them to live more vibrant lives.”

The press conference featured several additional speakers including SCRMC President and CEO, Gregg Gibbes; SCRMC Residency Program Designated Institutional Official and Internal Medicine physician, Deepu Thoppil, DO; and William Carey University Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Italo Subbarao, DO, MBA, all of whom focused on their vision for the future of SCRMC and its positive effect on rural healthcare in the United States.

“Our goal is to create a servant physician, a physician who is going to lead with their heart. We have too many doctors out there who are incredible scientists that can analyze numbers, look at the latest diagnostic technology but do their eyes look at their patient? Do they hold their patients’ hands?” Dr. Subbarao noted. “Because if we want to transform healthcare, we must love our brother and sister. That is where our mission is; it’s about transforming healthcare for Mississippi.”

SCRMC’s network-wide switch to Epic, a new electronic health record system, is yet another change intended to expedite healthcare processes and improve the patient experience, while also creating approximately 60 new jobs.

“Epic is the number one patient-centered medical record software in the world and bringing it to Laurel will truly elevate the care for patients. Not only will patients receive their tests results faster, but they should also expect to have access to numerous new functions and services that will make their care journey easier,” said Governor Reeves.

He also raved about the success that SCRMC has seen since forming a strategic consortium with Covington County Hospital, Magee General Hospital and Simpson General Hospital.

“In just a few short months, Smith County Emergency Hospital in Raleigh will open, creating 80 new jobs. Smith County Emergency Hospital will provide outpatient and emergency care services in a community where they did not exist before,” said Governor Reeves.

Smith County Emergency Hospital is scheduled to begin operations in late December 2024 or early January 2025. A facility capable of providing this type of interim care was much needed and will be lifesaving.

Covington County Hospital recently released a statement saying, “The successful collaboration of Covington County Hospital, South Central Regional Medical Center, Magee General Hospital and Simpson General Hospital, along with the addition of Smith County Emergency Hospital will address significant needs in the Smith County area and strengthen existing affiliations. This is an example of neighboring rural hospitals working together to provide a local solution for a community in need.”

“Today we are humbled that Governor Reeves was willing and able to come to help us make a number of announcements that we believe will advance healthcare in our community,” said Gibbes.

The press conference was a great way to acknowledge the advancements happening at SCRMC while also reminding the public that there is still work to be done. Governor Reeves emphasized this when he ended his speech by saying, “We remain focused on the future, and we will continue working toward solutions that strengthen our healthcare systems all across our state.”