Merit Health Biloxi is Vital to Mississippi Gulf Coast
4/5/2024
Delivers essential medical services and broad impact to the larger community
Over the course of 2023, Merit Health Biloxi played a vital role helping people get well and live healthier at more than 103,000 patient encounters across its hospital and growing network of Merit Health Medical Group physician clinics and other outpatient sites of care.
At more than 25,000 emergency department visits each year, lifesaving medically necessary care is provided for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Members of the community who cannot fully afford their medical care are provided deep discounts or even charity care and the hospital has resources to help them secure medications and medical support devices. Last year, Merit Health Biloxi provided more than $83 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable.
“Merit Health Biloxi plays a vital role in our community around the clock, every day of the year to help people get well and live healthier,” said Dwayne Blaylock, interim chief executive officer for Merit Health Biloxi. “Regardless of holidays or challenging weather, our dedicated team of clinicians and caregivers are using their skills, experience and compassion in service to the patients who are counting on us.”
Other support for social determinants of health in the community includes financial donations and sponsorships for charitable organizations such as Back Bay Mission, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society and acts of service such as the Jars of Love drive collecting peanut and other nut butters for Back Bay Mission’s food bank.
Merit Health Biloxi applies its resources to medical services, facilities and technologies that patients want to access close to home. These include working to strengthen women’s services through the addition of an OB/GYN clinic and safety technology for new mothers and their unborn babies. Access to care has been enhanced with the opening of a gastroenterology clinic in Gulfport and the recruitment of a new internal medicine physician in Biloxi.
Capital improvements of more than $2.8 million in 2024 have updated the telemetry and nurse call systems to enhance the patient experience. The number of cardiac catheterizations provided within the community, close to home, has steadily increased since the new cath lab opened in 2022.
Civic resources and services are supported by Merit Health Biloxi’s tax payments of $4.6 million and the payroll of more than $33 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services.
Workforce development remains a priority and strong relationships with local nursing programs brought over 350 high school and college students through the doors for shadowing and education for careers in health care. Investments are being made to help team members achieve their personal and professional goals through assistance with student loan repayments, as well as tuition reimbursement.
Blaylock continued, “The vital care we provide is only one part of the broad impact we have that adds up to more than $137 million last year. We recognize that our services are essential to this community and we are committed to doing all we can to provide quality health care and make the Mississippi Gulf Coast a healthier, better community for all.”
To help the community live healthier, Merit Health Biloxi offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox. Sign up at merithealthbiloxi.com/enewsletter-sign-up.
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