DeSoto opens community health center to fill gap in healh care needs

Aug. 16--It's a scene all too common in hospital emergency rooms nationwide -- waiting areas crowded with people seeking treatment for sinus infections, sore throats and a host of other noncritical illnesses because they have no primary care physician due to a lack of insurance.

Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto saw the need to address the issue and, in the process, provide basic health care for thousands of uninsured or underinsured residents in DeSoto County and other areas of North Mississippi.

Enter the Byhalia-based Northeast Mississippi Health Care Inc., which provides services to those in need in DeSoto, Marshall and Tate counties.

Through a partnership with Baptist and boosted by a $1 million gift from the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation, Northeast Mississippi Health Care was able to open the DeSoto Community Health Center at 7535 Airways in Southaven, near the Baptist hospital campus at Interstate 55.

Officials from the two health care organizations came together at the site Friday afternoon, along with state and local elected officials and plenty of well-wishers, to cut the ribbon on the new clinic. It's expected to take its place among a network of such clinics statewide that provide health services for those in need under the umbrella of the Mississippi Primary Health Care Association.

"This is a shining example of how two disparate provider organizations can come together and increase access to care to those who need it most," said Robert M. Pugh, executive director of the Mississippi Primary Health Care Association.

Statewide, Pugh said 21 organizations such as Northeast Mississippi Health Care, through 175 delivery sites, provide health care services to more than 300,000 Mississippians annually.

He said of those served, 40 percent are uninsured and another 30 percent are on Medicaid. Ninety percent, Pugh said, are at or below the poverty level.

"That's why you're so valuable to the health care infrastructure of the state," he said.

James Huffman, CEO of Baptist DeSoto, said the hospital began working with Northeast Mississippi Health Care in February 2013 to find a solution to health needs for the needy in DeSoto County.

"The feeling was that DeSoto was an affluent county that didn't have a need for these services," Huffman said, adding that a subsequent study found there was actually a great need.

Elected officials at Friday's ceremony also lauded the partnership for filling a noticeable gap in the health care needs of the community.

"Anyone knows that health care is one of the top priorities for any community," said Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite. "We appreciate you being here, and the service you will offer to residents of Southaven."

Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said the community health center concept has worked well nationwide, serving some 23 million Americans at about 9,000 locations.

"I've seen programs that are a waste, and I've seen programs that are a fine expenditure of tax money," Wicker said, "and I support community health centers because they work."

A representative of Rep. Alan Nunnelee, R-Miss., whose district includes DeSoto County, appeared on behalf of Nunnelee, who is recovering from complications after brain surgery.

Those who toured the clinic, an existing building that formerly housed other Baptist services, said they didn't expect it would take long for the clinic to begin filling a need in the community.

"Once word gets out, this clinic will be an asset for the community," said Elizabeth King, a nurse for 28 years.

"It's important for those in need of medical attention to have convenient access points to primary health care; this clinic will help to serve that purpose."

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