Newsroom

Hattiesburg, MS (11/03/2026) - Brad Polk, R.N., MSN recently joined Merit Health Wesley as chief operating officer. Polk has more than 20 years of experience driving operational excellence, patient safety and staff engagement. He has worked at Merit Health hospitals for the majority of those years. Most recently, he served as chief nursing officer at Merit Health Rankin, having previously served as chief nursing officer at Merit Health Madison and assistant chief nursing officer at Merit Health Central.... ... Read More

Hattiesburg, MS - Merit Health Medical Group welcomes Qasim Jehangir, M.D., to its cardiology clinic, located at 5003 Hardy Street on the Merit Health Wesley campus. He is part of our cardiovascular healthcare team that focuses on the evaluation, prevention, management and treatment of complex cardiovascular conditions, as well as management of chronic conditions. Common conditions treated include coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure, heart valve disease, peripheral artery disease (PAD)... ... Read More

Hattiesburg, MS - Merit Health Medical Group welcomes Alexis Griffith, M.D., to the new internal medicine clinic located at 103 Asbury Circle on the Merit Health Wesley campus. Dr. Griffith earned her Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Southern Mississippi and earned her medical degree from the University 0f Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Nashville, TN. She offers long-ter... ... Read More

More than 200,000 times last year, we were privileged to provide quality healthcare for the Pine Belt. As we care for you and the place we all call home, our impact is deep, contributing more than $179 million to the region through charity/uncompensated care provided, reinvestment in services, employee payroll, payment of more than $13 million in taxes to support local civic resources and our charitable projects. Patients have more access to services and we’ve enhanced the patient experience through mor... ... Read More

Hattiesburg, MS (08/26/25) – Merit Health Wesley has developed an exciting new initiative designed to empower our community to live longer, healthier lives. Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a Longer, Healthier Life is a FREE 12-day, longevity-focused email series launching on Sept. 15. According to the CDC, Americans’ average lifespan is longer than ever – 74.8 years for men and 80 for women. But Americans’ healthspan – how long a person is healthy and free of disease – is decreasing. Baby Boomers are more li... ... Read More

Merit Health Wesley officials, joined by nursing school leaders from the University of Southern Mississippi, William Carey University and Pearl River Community College, celebrate the opening of the new Clinical Education Center for nursing students at the hospital. "Our partners in nursing education are vital for creating a strong, well-prepared, and innovative nursing workforce that can effectively meet the evolving needs of the healthcare system," said Travis Sisson, chief executive officer of Merit H... ... Read More

The summer heat is on, and many experts predict that 2025 could surpass 2024 as the hottest year on record in the United States. According to Matthew Wiggins, M.D., emergency department physician at Merit Health Wesley, warmer temperatures often bring more patients to the ER with symptoms of heat-related illnesses. “An increase in outdoor activity is one of the reasons we all enjoy the summer months, but heat waves can create dangerous conditions for anyone spending a prolonged amount of time outside,” ... ... Read More

HATTIESBURG, MS – The recent diagnosis of former President Joe Biden with an aggressive form of prostate cancer underscores the importance of routine screening for men as they age. However, according to a recent poll from the American Cancer Society, nearly two-thirds of men aged 55-69 have not been screened for prostate cancer. Robert Watson, D.O., with Merit Health in Purvis, located at 5808 US Hwy 11, says those at average risk of prostate cancer should talk with their provider about screening around... ... Read More

Hospital Sets New Record for Donation to Extra Table Hattiesburg, MS – Access to nutritious food can have a significant impact on an individual’s overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, around 1 in 5 Mississippians are struggling to put food on their tables. Merit Health Wesley wants to change in the Pine Belt. After four weeks of collecting peanut butter through their Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive, Merit Health Wesley has donated more than 2,000 jars to Extra Table. "We are pleased to announce ... ... Read More

As we celebrate Doctors’ Day this year, I want to thank the skilled physicians, along with the talented and energetic employees of Merit Health Wesley. When patients come through our doors, it is our privilege to provide quality, compassionate medical care to help them get well and live healthier. And we are proud to play an important part in the health of the Pine Belt with a collective impact in 2024 of approximately $189 million. Delivering Medical Care Across our hospital and clinical care sites, we... ... Read More