Jackson Jambalaya

Rachel Vanderford authored the following press release for UMC. 

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is expanding its footprint and health care reach with the acquisition of Merit Health Madison, which now operates as UMMC Madison.

With 67 licensed beds, the Canton-based hospital will expand UMMC’s mission to deliver high-quality, accessible care to more Mississippians while providing additional training opportunities for future health care providers.

“As Mississippi’s only academic medical center, we must continue to be focused on our three-part mission to educate the next generation of health care providers, conduct impactful research and deliver accessible high-quality health care,” said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor of health affairs. “Every decision we make is rooted in our mission.”

This acquisition, finalized May 1, builds on a business relationship that began in 2019, when UMMC physicians first started performing procedures at the hospital. Now, as the full owner, UMMC will integrate the facility more closely into its academic and health care system.

“This is a natural next step in a relationship that has grown over the past several years,” said Dr. Alan Jones, associate vice chancellor for health affairs. “We’ve been staffing the emergency department for some time now, but operational challenges, such as having different electronic medical record systems, highlighted the need for a more unified approach. Acquiring the hospital allows us to overcome those hurdles and expand our capacity to care for patients.”

UMMC Madison will continue to provide a wide range of community hospital services, including emergency services, medical-surgical care, ICU, pulmonology, pathology, cardiology, radiology, neurology, nephrology, general surgery and GI services. The hospital will operate as a community hospital, much like UMMC Grenada and UMMC Holmes County, retaining privileges for non-UMMC community physicians alongside UMMC providers.

“I went to a clinic and my blood sugar level was so high that they rushed me over here to the emergency room,” said Ronnie Green of Jackson, a patient at UMMC Madison. “Since I’ve been here, my experience, the people and the services have been excellent. I knew UMMC has a good reputation of having the best doctors, so I’m glad I was able to come here.”

Another patient, Lerita Stacy of Camden, was sent to the hospital after her high fever landed her in the doctor’s office. “At the clinic, they ran tests for strep, COVID and flu and it wasn’t what they thought it was. They sent me here because my blood pressure was low. When I got to UMMC, they immediately diagnosed me with pneumonia.”

“This transition represents a meaningful investment in the health of our communities,” said Dodie McElmurray, CEO – University and Community Hospitals. “UMMC Madison will allow us to strengthen local care delivery while preserving the community hospital feel that patients value. We’re committed to ensuring a smooth transition for staff and providers and to building a model of care that reflects both local needs and the resources of an academic medical center.”

Jones also notes that access to this hospital addresses capacity constraints at the main campus in Jackson by freeing up hospital beds, imaging services and operating space. “With additional operating rooms at UMMC Madison, we can perform less critical surgeries there, freeing up space at the main campus for more complex cases. It’s about using our resources strategically to meet the health needs of our patients.”

The transition also supports UMMC’s educational mission. UMMC Madison will become a vital training site for medical students, residents and fellows, who will have the opportunity to learn at a community hospital.

“This gives our learners real-world experience in different care settings, which is crucial for their development into well-rounded health care professionals,” Jones said. “At the same time, it increases health care access for the community.”

“We are looking forward to bringing back OB-GYN services to this area after the transition is complete,” said Jones. “It’s another important way we can better serve the community and fulfill our mission to improve the health of Mississippi.”