UMMC Greenwood preserves access to health care in the Delta region
Leaders from the University of Mississippi Medical Center met staff and toured UMMC Greenwood on Monday, following the Aug. 1 change of ownership of the former Greenwood Leflore Hospital.
UMMC assuming operations of the hospital ensures that Greenwood residents and surrounding areas have access to essential health care services. The addition also reflects UMMC's commitment to preserving access to quality health care in communities throughout Mississippi while strengthening local services and supporting the long-term health of the Delta region. UMMC Greenwood joins the Medical Center’s other community hospitals in Holmes County, Grenada and Madison County.
Patients will benefit from the expertise and resources of the state's only academic medical center.
"Health care is vital to the strength of any community," said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs. "Our goal is to ensure that patients and families receive the care they need close to home while benefiting from UMMC's expertise, resources and commitment to excellence. The Greenwood hospital will enhance coordination of care and expand access to specialized medical services."
The former Greenwood Leflore Hospital has served Leflore County and neighboring communities for many years. As part of UMMC, the hospital will connect patients to advanced clinical services, physician specialists, research-driven medicine and an integrated statewide health system.
"The addition of UMMC Greenwood strengthens our existing presence in the Greenwood community and expands our ability to serve patients in the area and provide additional training sites for our learners," said Dr. Alan Jones, associate vice chancellor for health affairs. “We will build upon the services UMMC already provides locally, including obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine and pediatrics, and an AirCare helicopter base. We look forward to providing the highest quality health care to the people of Greenwood and the surrounding region as part of our commitment to improving the health of Mississippians.”
Dodie T. McElmurray, CEO of University and Community Hospitals, said, “Access to care in this community and region is essential to the overall health of our state. Adding emergency and inpatient services to complement the ambulatory care UMMC already provides locally is an important step toward ensuring sustainable, high-quality health care.”
Ronnie Stevenson, president of the Greenwood City Council, said it’s important to preserve health care in Greenwood. “This hospital has been at the heart of Greenwood and the Mississippi Delta for many years. Because ours is a largely low-income region, many people don't have the means to travel elsewhere for care. Having a hospital and a fully functioning emergency room here is essential. It truly is a matter of life and death for our community."
Furthermore, he said, "It's important that Greenwood is now connected to Mississippi's only academic medical center because UMMC brings resources that simply weren't available before. They have greater access to physicians, nurses, therapists, advanced equipment and the expertise needed to operate a modern health system. That's a tremendous benefit for our residents."
Dr. Richard Goldberg, a gastroenterologist at UMMC Greenwood, expressed excitement about the acquisition.
"UMMC is the largest health care organization in Mississippi. Becoming part of UMMC will bring greater stability to health care, not only in Greenwood and the Delta, but also to neighboring towns, communities and counties. It will strengthen the care we've been providing at Greenwood Leflore Hospital while creating new opportunities to expand health care services for years to come.”
He added, "Becoming part of UMMC creates a direct connection to the state's leading academic medical center, allowing us to bring more of that expertise and hands-on care closer to home while providing seamless access to the main campus when needed."