Newsroom

Merit Health River Oaks has named Shelly Cordum, DNP, RN, CENP, as the new chief nursing officer. Cordum comes to Merit Health River Oaks from SSM Health DePaul Hospital in St. Louis, MO, where she served as vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer since 2016. At SSM Health DePaul Hospital, she provided strategic and operational oversight to 8 direct and 19 indirect managers within the division of nursing. Throughout her 18 years in healthcare leadership, Cordum has accomplished... ... Read More

Merit Health River Oaks is hosting a “Plant a Seed and Watch Your Career Grow” career fair on Thursday, September 23, from 4 – 6 pm in the private dining room on the first floor of the hospital located at 1030 River Oaks Drive. The event is specifically targeting certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Attendees can speak with nurse leadership, learn first-hand about job openings from human resources, enjoy food and door prizes. There will be on the spot job offers! For more information or to RSVP (not req... ... Read More

Merit Health River Oaks has named Sam Dean as the new chief executive officer, effective August 23, 2021. In addition to the CEO role at Merit Health River Oaks, Dean will also assume the chief operations officer role for the Merit Health Jackson/Vicksburg network. “I am excited to work with and support the employees and medical staff as Merit Health River Oaks continues to provide the people in our community the best possible care every time they choose us,” said Dean. Dean comes to Merit Health from U... ... Read More

Merit Health is hosting a Nurse Career Social at the MS Braves’ First Responder Day on Wednesday, June 23, from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Trustmark Park Stadium, located at 1 Braves Boulevard in Pearl. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse graduates are invited. Game admission is FREE with work or student ID. Stop by the Merit Health tent by the ticket office for VIP access to this event on the Party Deck! Attendees will have an opportunity to learn first-hand about RN and LPN openings a... ... Read More

Pay attention to the warning signs and don’t let the pandemic stop you. We’ve changed habits and actions to protect our health during the pandemic, but one thing still remains the same – we need to take quick action with a possible heart attack or stroke. Life-threatening blockages and arrhythmias, or stroke, need timely detection and treatment to support the best possible outcome. Waiting to get help can increase the damage to heart muscle or brain tissue. Merit Health has resources ready to support di... ... Read More

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Merit Health River Oaks for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. The Flowood hospital was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI in December, 2020 after excelling in a rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary ar... ... Read More

Leaders of Merit Health announced today the availability of a toll-free helpline designed to help Medicare beneficiaries select a health plan that fits their needs and budget. The free helpline connects callers with licensed agents who can assist in comparing traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Supplement and Prescription plans, and then facilitate enrollment in the plan selected. Through this program it will be easier for Medicare beneficiaries to find a plan that is best for them during Medicare... ... Read More

Healthcare executive Barry Moss has been promoted to the role of chief executive officer for Merit Health’s Jackson Market. Moss currently serves as CEO of Merit Health Central, and will continue in this position, which he has held for the past three years. In his expanded role, Moss will also have oversight for Merit Health Rankin, Merit Health River Oaks and Merit Health Woman’s Hospital. The CEOs of these hospitals will continue in their roles. “I’m honored to support the work of Merit Health physici... ... Read More

Melissa Smith, CPCS, has assumed the role of manager of the Merit Health Market Centralized Verification Office. Smith, who grew up in Raleigh, MS, has served as the manager of Merit Health Central’s medical staff services department since 2016, and has over 24 years of experience in medical staff credentialing. Merit Health’s chief quality officer, Kim Harrell, MHA, BSN, CNOR, RN, stated “Merit Health is pleased to provide our medical providers one centralized department with which to work and apply fo... ... Read More

Kim Harrell, MHA, BSN, CNOR, R.N., has assumed the role of Merit Health market chief quality officer. Harrell most recently served as the Chief Quality Officer at Merit Health Central, a position she held nearly four years. Utilizing over 18 years of leadership experience, she will provide oversight to the quality departments in the six Merit Health hospitals in Jackson and Vicksburg. A Jackson, MS, native, Harrell completed her master’s in healthcare administration at Belhaven University. Merit Health’... ... Read More