South Central Regional Medical Center has received the American Heart Association (AHA) / American Stroke Association’s (ASA) Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

SCRMC earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions

“SCRMC is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the AHA’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said Jessica Walters, RN, Stroke Coordinator. “The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes.”

SCRMC additionally received the Association’s Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the US FDA to treat ischemic stroke.

SCRMC additionally received the Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 90% of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.”

SCRMC has also met specific scientific guidelines as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.

“We are pleased to recognize SCRMC for their commitment to stroke care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiative can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

According to the AHA/ASA, stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.
South Central Eye & Laser Center Provides Comprehensive Services

Early detection and prevention of diabetic eye disease is key. Those with diabetes should receive annual eye exams even before they have signs or symptoms of vision loss. Studies show that 60 percent of diabetics are not getting the exams their doctors recommend.
  • Adults with Type 1 Diabetes – Dilated eye exam within 5 years of being diagnosed and every year after that.
  • Adults with Type 2 Diabetes – Dilated exam immediately after diabetes diagnosis. About 1 in 5 people with type 2 diabetes already have some eye problems when they are diagnosed with diabetes. It’s important to have an eye exam as soon as possible after diagnosis and continue annually.

From regular eye exams, to expert surgical interventions, South Central Eye & Laser Center will provide you with an accurate evaluation of your eyes. Our team takes your vision seriously and provides quality care for a variety of eye diseases and vision problems. Judith L. Bradley, MD, and Sarah Queck, MD, provide comprehensive ophthalmological care at South Central Eye & Laser Center.

To learn more about diabetic eye exams, CLICK HERE.

To schedule an appointment at South Central Eye & Laser Center, call 601-426-9454. South Central Eye & Laser Center accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans. The facility is located at 1020 Adams Street in Laurel and is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, visit scrmc.com.

When your quality of life has declined due to frequent shoulder pain, South Central Orthopedics encourages you to seek treatment. Pain in the shoulder from reaching, carrying or lifting items may indicate something is wrong. Do not ignore the pain, because there are a variety of treatment options available. Orthopedic Surgeon, Thomas Baylis, MD, provides comprehensive treatment for shoulder pain, injuries and fractures.

Dr. Baylis, a native of Hattiesburg, completed medical school at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson and his orthopedic surgery residency at Erlanger Medical Center-University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga, TN. He completed a fellowship in arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham. Dr. Baylis is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.

“Orthopedics is the treatment of bones and joint injuries,” said Dr. Baylis. “At South Central Orthopedics in Laurel, we see a lot of aches and pains with joints including knees, ankles and shoulders. Shoulder pain and injuries are common issues among older adults, athletes or active adults known as ‘weekend warriors’. If someone is experiencing pain that will not go away, it is a sign to have it evaluated by a physician.”

The most common shoulder problems are due to tendon inflammation known as tendinitis. Other issues include bursitis, instability, arthritis and fractures. A physician will provide a comprehensive examination to find the cause of your shoulder pain. They will look for physical abnormalities such as swelling, deformity, and muscle wasting or atrophy. They will assess for areas of tenderness, and check your shoulder range of motion and strength.

Dr. Baylis explains what most people experience with shoulder pain. “The common issues patients will notice is their shoulder does not hurt constantly, but does hurt when it is in certain positions. For example, they may experience pain when reaching to the top cabinet, an ache when they reach for their seat belt or reach into the backseat of their car. These are all early signs that you may have a shoulder issue. Others experience pain when lifting or carrying items. This may indicate that something is wrong, so do not ignore the pain. It is important to seek treatment.”

Together, physicians will work with you to determine the best course of treatment for the shoulder pain. Typical treatment options may include medication, physical therapy, and if necessary surgical intervention. South Central Orthopedics offers various types of procedures for shoulder pain.

“Shoulder arthritis, although less common, and knee or hip arthritis can be very debilitating. It causes shoulder pain with most activities and can often keep you awake at night. It can be treated non-surgically, but when all other treatment options have failed, we will often recommend shoulder replacement surgery,” said Dr. Baylis. “The most common reason for this surgery is that the pain cannot be controlled by non-surgical treatments. The patient will have stiffness and often a grinding sensation in the shoulder. These symptoms often indicate that the bones are rubbing against one another because the cartilage has worn away. Your quality of life declines and it is time to correct the pain. It is very satisfying to hear from a patient that their pain is gone and their function has improved."

South Central Orthopedics offers a number of surgical and non-surgical services to provide complete orthopedic care to south Mississippi. The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans. South Central Orthopedics is accepting new patients and no referral is necessary. To schedule an evaluation, call 601-649-5990. South Central Orthopedics is located at 1002 Jefferson Street, Suite 350, in Laurel. The clinic is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Mark Horne, MD, of Laurel, became the 153rd President of the Mississippi State Medical Association on August 15, 2020 during the 152nd Annual Session of the MSMA House of Delegates.

Dr. Horne is board certified in internal medicine and hospice and palliative care medicine. Dr. Horne graduated with distinction from Mississippi College with an undergraduate degree in biology. He earned his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. While in medical school, he joined the Mississippi National Guard, serving in the 134th Combat Support Hospital. A residency in Internal Medicine followed at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN. While in Chattanooga, he served with the Tennessee Army National Guard, and in 1991-92, was deployed as Battalion Surgeon with the 1-181 Field Artillery Brigade to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Storm. After return, he completed his residency and moved home to Laurel to begin practice at South Central Regional Medical Center (SCRMC) in January 1992. In 2018, he was named Chief Medical Officer of SCRMC where he continues to see patients and serve his administrative duties.

To read more, CLICK HERE.
As the leading family medicine clinic in Ellisville, Ellisville Medical Clinic provides walk-in services for colds, flu, minor and sports related injuries and general healthcare needs, as well as appointments for those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, COPD, GERD, hypertension and thyroid related issues. The healthcare team at Ellisville Medical Clinic provides personalized healthcare for the entire family and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

To learn more, visit scrmc.com.
Every parent wants to protect their child, and one of the best ways we can protect our children is by immunizing them. Vaccinating your child is the first step toward giving them everything they need to live a long and healthy life. Vaccines are a simple, proven way to keep our children healthy and safe, and Mississippi’s physicians are prepared to immunize your child safely to keep them healthy now and well into the future.

Babies are exposed to thousands of germs every day in their environment— through the food they eat, the air they breathe, and the things they put in their mouths. Babies are born with immune systems that can fight most germs, but there are some deadly diseases they cannot handle. That is why they need vaccines to strengthen their immune system.

Vaccines help your child’s immune system recognize and learn to fight serious diseases. On-time vaccination protects children from deadly preventable diseases and ensures they grow up safe and healthy. Invest in your child’s health by scheduling a vaccination today. Contact South Central Pediatrics in Ellisville and Laurel to schedule your child’s vaccination today.

Ellisville Pediatric Clinic – 601-477-3550, 1203 Avenue B, Ellisville.

South Central Pediatrics – 601-649-3520, 1002 Jefferson Street, Suite 200, Laurel.
South Central Wellness Center is offering Group Training. Sessions of 4 people are $40 for the group, per session. If sessions include over 4 people, an additional fee of $10 per person is applied. Each session is 1 hour.

To schedule a time for your Group Training Session, call 601-399-0530 ext. 3.

Did you know Group Exercise can be more effective for the individual than working out alone? Learn more:

  1. Find motivation and inspiration. - The best way to motivate yourself to push through that extra rep is by having other people by your side to cheer you on. Plus, it’s hard not to get inspired by your classmates.
  2. Proper form helps prevent injury. - One of the most valuable parts of any exercise class is its trainers. Group exercise is a great middle ground between working out alone and hiring a personal trainer. In a group class, you have the benefit of professionals showing you how to do each move with proper form. Plus, if your form is a little off, the trainers are there to help correct you to ensure you don’t injure yourself. You can’t get that from going to the gym alone.
  3. Be part of a community. - It may sound cliché, but it’s true. Being part of a “fit fam” can actually be hugely beneficial. By being part of a community, you can find support and guidance from people who are on the same journey as you. Whether that journey is to better your health and wellness or improve your strength and endurance, there will always be someone who has your back.
  4. Add variety to your workout. - Doing the same moves over and over again can get stale. Not only is it boring, but it also might be hindering your results. Adding variety to your workout is one of the best ways to prevent plateau, and group exercise classes are an easy way to switch things up. Different trainers have different styles of teaching, so even if you find one class you love, it won’t feel stale no matter how many times you go back.
  5. Hold yourself accountable. - We all know the hardest part about working out is getting your butt to the gym. Most group exercise classes require that you book your spot in advance. If you decide to cancel last minute, you’ll likely get charged a pretty penny for your cancellation. This will likely encourage you to stick to your sweat schedule.

To schedule a time for your Group Training Session, call 601-399-0530 ext. 3. To view the aerobic class schedule at South Central Wellness Center, CLICK HERE.
This service is available for all South Central Clinics except South Central Dermatology and South Central Eye & Laser Center. For more information, please click here to contact a South Central Clinic.

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