Senate Concurrent Resolution 661

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION JOINING THE MISSISSIPPI HOSPITAL INDUSTRY IN RECOGNIZING GREENE COUNTY HOSPITAL UPON ITS RECEIPT OF THE AWARD FOR TOP-PERFORMING CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Rural Health Association recently held a reception at Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to recognize leaders of health care throughout the state where Greene County Hospital was awarded "Top-Performing Critical Access Hospital in the State of Mississippi." The award is referred to as a "Strength Index"; and

WHEREAS, critical access hospitals comprise about 25% of hospitals in the United States. They are typically located in rural areas and are limited to 25 acute care beds; and

WHEREAS, the state consults with an independent health analytics company to analyze and compare rural hospitals across the state. The award was based on hospital specific data for 71 performance indicators and nine pillars of performance, including inpatient market share; outpatient market share; quality; financial stability; population risk; cost; charge; outcomes/safety/readmissions; and patient perspective; and WHEREAS, the results recognize that the Top Critical Access Hospitals provide a safety net to communities across rural America; and

WHEREAS, "We are excited and honored by this recognition," states Greg Havard, who serves as Greene County Hospital's Chief Executive Officer. Debbie Berry serves as Director of Operations at Greene County Hospital; and

WHEREAS, located in Leakesville, Mississippi, Greene County Hospital is a county-owned, not-for-profit health care facility. The campus includes a hospital, nursing home and Greene County Family Medical Clinic. Greene County's Hospital recently completed a large expansion of its Emergency Room and CT Suite, adding an extra 4,400 square feet. The new ER space includes three large treatment rooms and a generously sized trauma room. The expansion also brought Greene County Family Medical Clinic under the same roof. The experienced medical staff is dedicated to working together to advance the health of the community; and

WHEREAS, there are 34 rural hospitals and 175 rural clinics across the State of Mississippi with 1.5 million residents making use of their services each year. In 2015, Governor Phil Bryant signed a proclamation declaring November 20th of each year to be Mississippi Rural Health Day; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend the administration and staff of an exceptional health care institution which provides extraordinary service to attending the individual medical needs of the citizens of this state who rely upon its expertise of care:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby join the Mississippi hospital industry in recognizing Greene County Hospital upon its receipt of the award for Top-Performing Critical Access Hospital in the State of Mississippi and extend our best wishes for continued success as a state-of-the-art medical facility.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Board of Trustees of the Greene County Hospital, forwarded to the Board of Supervisors of Greene County, and made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.