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Hattiesburg, MS – Employees of Merit Health Wesley are now eligible for new and enhanced benefits designed as pathways to help them eliminate existing student debt faster, pursue additional professional education, and advance their careers. The goal in offering Merit Health Wesley Pathways benefits is to support and retain employees and attract a strong workforce, especially frontline nurses, technicians, therapists and other clinicians and caregivers, along with support personnel. “This program allows ... ... Read More

Hattiesburg, MS - Merit Health Wesley is celebrating the recent launch of their cardiac electrophysiology (EP) program. This program is a key component of the hospital’s recent expansion of cardiovascular services. “Bringing enhanced cardiac care to our patients is an exciting moment,” says Chief Executive Officer Matthew Banks. “The addition of Ronald Jones, M.D. and EP services at Merit Health Wesley complements our top-notch interventional cardiology and cardiovascular surgery teams to provide advanc... ... Read More

Hattiesburg, MS - Merit Health Wesley recently launched a new cardiovascular procedure, successfully implanting their first left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device. The procedure is a treatment option that will now be available to patients who are diagnosed with non-valvular atrial fibrillation as an alternative to the lifelong use of blood thinners. “Being able to offer these types of alternative treatments to our patients is important,” said Interventional Cardiologist Alan Covin, M.D. “As technol... ... Read More

Hattiesburg - Merit Health Medical Group welcomes John Nelson, Sr., M.D., to the primary care clinic in Petal. Nelson is a long-time resident and physician of the Pine Belt. He began his career in emergency medicine in 1978, and served as the president of South Mississippi Emergency Physicians from 1982 until 2020. He has served on numerous local and state medical committees, councils, and task forces, often acting as the president or vice president during his tenure. “Building relationships with your p... ... Read More

Hattiesburg, MS – The new updated dietary guidelines from the American Heart Association focus more on your overall eating habits rather than a list of foods to avoid. Taking in sufficient nutrients will support your heart health and general well-being over your lifetime. Research on dietary patterns has found 14% to 28% lower cardiovascular disease mortality among U.S. adults with high compared with low adherence to high-quality dietary patterns. Filling your diet with whole, unprocessed foods brings t... ... Read More

Merit Health Wesley has named Betty Alexander, R.N., as 2021 recipient of the Margaret LaFon Employee of the Year Award. This award is the highest honor bestowed on a hospital employee each year. Alexander was chosen from among more than 1,200 employees for the honor. “We truly felt that so many of our employees deserved an award for their service over the last year,” said Matthew Banks, chief executive officer. “In the midst of another incredibly difficult year to be a healthcare employee, Betty was a ... ... Read More

Merit Health Heart is the new umbrella name for the network’s multidisciplinary specialists in cardiology, imaging, nutrition and cardiovascular surgery, who are working together to prevent and treat heart disease through advanced care and services to heart patients in the Jackson metropolitan, Vicksburg and Hattiesburg areas. Merit Health has continually invested in resources to advance cardiac services and recruit providers to enhance local access to care. “When you put your heart in our hands, you ge... ... Read More

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi recently announced Merit Health Wesley as a Blue Distinction Center of Excellence for Maternity Care. The facility is being recognized by the state’s leading health and wellness company for its work in meeting stringent criteria focused on patient safety and clinical outcomes. “Our goal is always putting the patient first,” said Shantele Bolton, M.D., obstetrician and gynecologist with Merit Health Wesley, “and making sure that they receive not only evidence-b... ... Read More

Hattiesburg, MS - Robotic-guided spine surgery continues to evolve. With each new generation of robotic guidance systems, surgeons have better tools so they can offer patients the most advanced care and minimally invasive procedures to address neck and back pain. The spine surgeons at Merit Health Wesley now offer robotic-guided surgery as an option to some of their patients. “Robotic guidance allows us to provide surgical spine care that has increased planning and precision,” says David Lee, M.D., medi... ... Read More

Early detection and treatment supports the best possible outcomes Hattiesburg – Breast cancer and other medical illnesses remain a risk for women - even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, due to concerns about the virus, many women have postponed their annual screening mammograms, increasing their risk of undetected cancer. Merit Health Wesley is encouraging women who may have delayed their mammograms to schedule the screening now, because when breast cancer is detected early, life-sa... ... Read More