When it comes to the health care needs of Brookhaven and Lincoln County residents, King’s Daughters Medical Center strives to meet the challenge. The mission of the hospital is to provide quality health care and wellness services in a Christian environment. KDMC continues that goal by completing in 2010, the addition of three floors on the west side and one floor on the south side of the hospital, as well as a major renovation project in the existing building. The $11 million expansion and renovation project will add more patient rooms and an elevator, while creating a larger emergency room and changing the layout of the hospital.
KDMC officials have consistently upgraded the hospital over the last decade with several renovations and technology improvements already under their belts. The latest project encompasses over 47,000 square feet for the expansion and renovation and almost 14,000 square feet of new space.
The hospital will also has a wireless computer system added for patients to use, as well as a computer area in the gift shop for patients’ family members to use for sending baby pictures or updating friends and family on their loved one’s condition.
Besides the aesthetics of KDMC, hospital officials also work continuously to improve the care provided to patients. Bringing qualified, long-term physicians and health care workers to the area is a major goal for KDMC officials.
Medical services offered by KDMC include therapy, fitness, general surgery, internal medicine, nephrology, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pediatrics, radiology, urology, anesthesiology, family practice, otorhinolaryngology and pathology.
KDMC also recently expanded its physical therapy services by providing athletic trainers and physical therapists at local schools for students who need continuous physical therapy. Preventive-care measures offered through KDMC include the fitness center and educational programs that range from CPR and first aid classes to smoking cessation and childbirth classes.
With more than 500 employees, the hospital is one of the largest employers in the area. For those wishing to find out more about the hospital or even apply for a job, they can visit the hospital’s web site at www.kdmc.org.
Through the web site, potential employees can apply for jobs, and visitors can take a virtual tour of some areas of the hospital. The web site also has health links, information about the medical staff and photographs of the newborns, accessible with a password parents can give to friends and family.
Anyone wishing to tour the hospital’s facilities may contact the hospital at 601-833-6011.
Nursing Homes
Brookhaven and Lincoln County residents have four area facilities to choose from when considering options for providing around-the-clock care for the elderly. Located within a short distance from the community’s hospital, King’s Daughters Medical Center, are Countrybrook Living Center, Haven Hall Health Care Center, Silver Cross Home and Beverly Healthcare.
Countrybrook Living Center
Countrybrook Living Center is a 121 bed skilled nursing facility located on Brookman Drive, just a block from the hospital. The facility is operated by Sava Senior Care, one of the leading providers of long-term health care in the United States.
Countrybrook staff works to provide top-quality care in a homelike environment for both long-term and short-term residents who need additional rehabilitation and skilled nursing care prior to going home from the hospital following strokes, heart attacks, surgery or other serious conditions.
Countrybrook’s rehabilitation department, under the direction of a qualified rehab director, offers physical, occupational and speech therapies, striving to meet the needs of the residents.
“The staff here is a very active and well-trained group, and I’m very pleased with the loving care they provide to all of our residents,” said Administrator Gary Stafford. “We all work hard to provide the type care that our residents need and deserve.”
Haven Hall Health Care Center
Haven Hall Health Care Center offers 81 skilled nursing beds and 15 personal care/residential beds at its Mill Street location, off North Jackson Street. The four acre facility includes landscaped lawns and a large covered pavilion, creating a country-style environment.
Residents add to their experience by participating in activities and fellowship with other residents and staff. A unique aspect of Haven Hall is the frequently used short-term rehabilitative services allowing area residents to come to the facility while recovering from an injury or stroke.
The approximately 100 member staff also provides around the clock care and extensive therapy services. Physical, speech and occupational therapists are able to work with residents who need assistance in maintaining their maximum physical abilities.
“It’s just a wonderful facility with an energetic staff that really focuses on the needs of the geriatric population,” said Dorethea Bournes, director of nursing.
Staff members encourage visits and phone calls from those who have friends and family at Haven Hall or those looking for a nursing facility.
Silver Cross Home
Silver Cross Home is a non-profit facility that can provide rooms for 60 senior citizens with a full staff.
The nursing home’s non-profit status means it is “governed by a board that has the well-being of residents at heart rather than the bottom line,” said Gussie Ashley, the facility’s administrator.
Ashley said she’s excited about the caring staff at Silver Cross. “They are dedicated to the patients,” she said.
While creating a homelike atmosphere with activities and home-cooked meals for the residents, Silver Cross also offers 24 hour rehabilitative care with the goal of allowing each resident to reach and maintain the highest practical physical, mental and psyco-social well being, Ashley said.
“We encourage families to come be a part of Silver Cross by visiting their loved ones at any time,” she said.
Beverly Healthcare
Beverly Healthcare, formerly Brook Manor, is a 58 bed facility that is Medicare and Medicaid licensed, practicing under the service of a medical director. The staff of over 60 provides 24 hour nursing care, with amenities ranging from volunteer programs to quality therapy.
A qualified activities director coordinates all activities, which include volunteers from area churches and groups. “We strive to give residents a homelike atmosphere and continuity of care generated by our staff,” said Carolyn Wilson, the facility’s administrator who has served 34 years.
Patients are tended to by nurses and a licensed medical doctor who works closely with the patients’ private physicians. The facility provides different types of lifts for patients’ needs. Beverly Healthcare has a lift van to help with transporting residents who cannot travel to the doctor’s office without assistance.
Patients’ family and friends have a unique opportunity each year to participate in the facility’s survey. It serves as a type of scorecard for officials by providing feedback on the quality care, therapy, cleanliness, food and associates’ response to those important issues, Wilson said.
Support Groups
A.C.T.S. – Alcohol/Chemical Treatment Series meets every Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. at Apostolics of Brookhaven, 1295 Highway 51 NE. A.C.T.S. is a three-step, substance abuse program open to anyone who desires to change. Call Chaplain James Earl Mason, Jr. at 601-823-3874 or 601-835-4132.
Al-Anon Family Groups – for families and friends of alcoholics meets each Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, corner of Jackson and Chickasaw Streets. Call 601-833-8662.
Al-Ateen – meets Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. Contact Glenn Smith at 601-833-8413 or 601-833-9078 for more information.
Alzheimer’s Support Group – A support group for care givers and family members faced with loved ones suffering from Alzheimers. For more information, call the Baptist Health Line at 1-800-948-6262 or 601-948-6262.
Bereavement Support Group – sponsored by Hospice of Central Mississippi meets at 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month at Hospice Ministries, Inc. in Ridgeland. All who have lost a loved one are invited. For info, call 601-898-1053.
Breast Cancer Support Group – “The Positive Ones”, a support group for breast cancer survivors meets the third Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at Baptist Medical Center’s Hederman Cancer Center in Jackson. Call 1-800-948-6262.
Breast Surgery Recovery Therapeutic Exercises – “Focus on Healing”, a therapeutic movement and exercise program for women following breast cancer surgery, node dissection, radiation treatment, chemotherapy, lymphedmea or those suffering from chronic fatigue. The class is held every Thursday at 4:00 p.m. in the Activities Room of the Hederman Cancer Center. To register, call 1-800-948-6262.
Brookhaven Beginners Group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets at the First Presbyterian Church on the corner of Jackson and Chickasaw Streets. There is a women only meeting at 7:30 p.m.; closed AA discussion on Mondays at noon; a Big Book/Step Study on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.; closed AA discussion on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; open meeting at New Haven treatment facility on Fridays at 8:00 p.m.; and an open discussion on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. An open meeting is for anyone interested in alcoholism. Call 601-823-3148. Brookhaven Women’s Group of AA also continues to meet.
Caregivers Support Group – If you or someone you love must provide care for a loved one who is elderly or dependent, you can benefit from a new monthly caregivers’ support group facilitated by Baptist Adult Day Health Services. For more information, call 601-962-1222.
COC Support Group – is designed to support those individuals who have made up their mind to refrain from the use of drugs and alcohol. The group meets Monday through Friday at 4:30 p.m. at 435 Center St. in Brookhaven.
Co-Dependence Anonymous – CoDa meeting every Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Scott and Virginia Avenue in McComb, Mississippi. For more information, call 601-249-2185.
Compassionate Friends – Have you lost a child? Would you like to talk to someone who truly understands? The Compassionate Friends meet the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at Easthaven Baptist Church. No matter the age, race or cause, members are linked together by a common thread – the loss of their children. If interested, call Donna Williamson at 601-587-2055.
Diabetes Support/Learning Group – A diabetes community support group at the Diabetes Learning Center in Jackson. There is no cost for this support group. For more information, call 1-800-943-6262.
Fibromyalgia Sufferers – interested in forming a support group? Call 601-643-5721.
Gastric Bypass Group – will meet the first Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at King’s Daughters Education Building in Brookhaven. For more information, call 601-823-0439.
Gastric Bypass Patients – support group for patients or those interested. Meets every first Monday at King’s Daughters Medical Center’s Education Annex at 6:00 p.m. Everyone welcome regardless of physician choice. For more information, call Teena Morgan at 601-833-8171 or Chris Smith at 601-833-7218.
GYN Cancer Support Group – “Walking Forward’ is a group for patients with gynecological cancer in which you can find information comfort and reassurance from physicians and other cancer patients. For more information, call the Baptist Health Line at 1-800-948-6262 or 601-948-6262.
Helping Out Troubled Teens – H.O.T.T. meets each Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Mt. Salem Church, 847 South First Street in Brookhaven. Call the Rev. Jerry L. Wilson at 601-833-7172 for more information.
HIV/AIDS, STD Support Group – Mid-South Miss. Chapter of the American Red Cross sponsors meetings every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the local office at 228 Court Street.
Interstitial Cystitis Support Group – Topics include diet, stress management and chronic pain. For more information, call the Baptist Health line at 1-800-948-6262.
Jackson Area Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group – meets every fourth Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Baptist Medical Center’s private Dining Room in Jackson. Group meets to allow people with brain injuries to discuss and talk with one another about their lives as brain injured individuals. Available for persons who are also spinal cord injured. It is backed and sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi. For more information, call 601-981-1021.
KDMC Prostate Cancer Support Group meets every other month. There is no fee. For more information on dates, place and time, call Kim Bridge at 601-835-9406.
Kidney Disease Support Group – meets the second Sunday of each month from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on the sixth floor of the McComb hospital. Patients, family members and transplant recipients welcome. Call Lori Tate, LMSW, at 601-833-9720.
Learning Disabilities Association of Southwest Mississippi– for parents, teachers and interested friends of children and adults with learning disabilities normally meets the last Thursday in each month of the school year. Call Pam Fearn at 601-833-7359.
Learning Disabilities Peer Support Group – for young adults (age 16-35) with learning differences. Call Betty Crosby, project officer, at 601-833-1184 or 601-833-0987.
Lupus Support Group – meeting the first Saturday of every month at 2:00 p.m. in the Busey Auditorium of the Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. For more information, call the Baptist Health Line at 1-800-948-6262.
Mississippi Narcotics Anonymous – for all still suffering with addictions meets on Warran Krout Road in McComb on Monday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ant Friday at 9:00. Call 1-800-682-0466 for more information.
M.S. Support Group – the Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets at 2:00 p.m. at the Baptist Healthplex in Jackson. Call 1-800-948-6262.
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation – looking for people who have M.G., one of the most difficult neuromuscular diseases to diagnose. Disease is caused by a malfunction of the body’s immune system; sets up a defect between nerves and muscles. Symptoms are eye lids droop, difficulty in swallowing and chewing, abnormal weakness in arms and legs, and breathing trouble. Contact Joe Benson at 601-835-1915 or the national office at 1-800-541-5454.
My Fellowman Outreach Ministries, a battered and abused women support meeting for “The Whole Woman,” meets once a month on the second Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Family First Resource Center at 511 North Church Street. Call Minister Johnnie Mae Greene at 601-310-2962.
My Fellowman Outreach Ministry, a battered and abused women’s support meeting, meets each third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Lawrence County Family First Resource Center at 207 Cougar Drive in Monticello, Mississippi. Call Johnnie Green at 601-310-2962 or the center at 601-587-3013 for more information.
NAMI MS – offering free education and specialized courses for parents/guardians of children with emotional and behavioral difficulties, such as ADD/ADHD, bipolar disorder, etc. Call the National Alliance for the Mentally III (NAMI) of Mississippi at 1-800-357-0388.
Narcotics Anonymous Meetings – for the mid-Mississippi area, every Sunday at 6:30 p.m., every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. and every Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. The group seeks support from fellow recovering addicts who wish to share their experience, strength and hope. Supervised child care available; for more info, cal 601-833-8936 or 601-835-2350.
Narcotics Anonymous Meeting – meets Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Summit, Mississippi. Contact 601-249-2851 or 601-835-0583.
Ostomy Support Group – meets the last Sunday of each month at 3:00 p.m. in the sixth floor conference room of SMRMC, McComb, Mississippi. Ostomy patients, family, friends and medical professionals are invited. For further information, call 601-783-6312.
Osteoporosis Support Group – “Building Strength Together” meets the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 1-800-848-6262.
Overeaters Anonymous – meets Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at 1034 Spring Street in Wesson, Mississippi. For details, call 601-643-8830.
Parents Who Have Children in Foster Care Support Group – meets Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at the Families First Resource Center located at 511 North Church Street. For more information, call Pat Williams at 601-823-9244.
Parents Who Have Lost Children Support Group – call Tom Moak at 601-833-7807.
Polio Survivors Support Group – meets the fourth Saturday of every month at 1:00 p.m. at the Baptist Healthplex, 717 Manship Street, Jackson, Mississippi. For more information, call 601-948-6262.
Prostate Cancer Support Group – Us Too, a Prostate Cancer Support Group, meets the first Monday of each month at Baptist Medical Center’s Hederman Cancer Center Activity Room. Call 1-800-948-6262.
Serenity Group of AA – hold AA meetings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. at 1001 North Jackson Street, Brookhaven, Mississippi. Also meets Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Have a problem with drinking? Alcoholic Anonymous can help. Call 601-833-8413 or 601-833-9078.
Southwest Christian Singles Support Group – meets every first and third Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Magnolia United Methodist Church. Cal 601-684-5424 or 601-249-2955.
Substance Abuse Support Group – meets Tuesdays at Emanuel Temple Worship Center at 420 North Hamilton Street, Brookhaven, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Call 601-833-0422 for more information.
The Guardian Shelter for Battered Families – located in Natchez, Mississippi. 24 hour crisis line: 1-800-273-6939.
TOPS – Take off Pounds Sensibly – a non-profit weight loss support group meets every Monday at 4:00 p.m. for weigh-in and meeting at 5:00 p.m. at Centenary Methodist Church, Delaware Ave., McComb, Mississippi. Call 601-734-6117 or 601-783-5499.
Transplant Support Group – meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. Support group for all transplant recipients and their families. Call James Laird at 601-835-0129 or Glenda Smith at 601-833-1457.
US TOO – Us Too, a prostate cancer support group, will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Baptist Medical Center’s Hederman Cancer Center Activity Room. Support group meets first Monday of each month. To register, call 1-800-948-6262.
Weight Management – Balancing the need for good nutrition with the need to lose weight, the group meets every Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Nutrition Center of Baptist Health Systems in Jackson, Mississippi. Call 601-973-1624.
