FLOWOOD, MS (April 10, 2025) – Merit Health recently wrapped up its third annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive, benefitting the Mississippi Food Network. Held in celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2, the initiative brought together local businesses, organizations, and community members to help combat hunger in Central Mississippi. This year’s drive collected nearly 5,000 jars of peanut butter for the Mississippi Food Network. Merit Health was joined in the effort by Pafford ... ... Read More

Vicksburg, MS, April 7th, 2025 – Merit Health River Region provided care to thousands of area residents in 2024, with 236,000 patient encounters across its network of physician clinics and other outpatient sites of care. In addition to delivering safe, quality, compassionate healthcare, the health system is helping those in need, supporting charitable organizations and contributing to the area economy. In its most recent Community Benefit Report, Merit Health River Region’s impact totaled an estimated $... ... Read More

As we celebrate Doctors’ Day this year, I want to thank the skilled physicians, along with the talented and energetic employees of Merit Health Wesley. When patients come through our doors, it is our privilege to provide quality, compassionate medical care to help them get well and live healthier. And we are proud to play an important part in the health of the Pine Belt with a collective impact in 2024 of approximately $189 million. Delivering Medical Care Across our hospital and clinical care sites, we... ... Read More

Hattiesburg, Miss. - Today, Merit Health Wesley celebrated Doctors’ Day, thanking the women and men who made the decision to travel down that long road to becoming a physician. In honor of our medical staff and the impact they make on the Pine Belt, the hospital made a charitable contribution of $5,000 to Habitat for Humanity of the Pine Belt. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families in need by providing affordable housing. "We are grateful for the 300 physicians w... ... Read More

Vicksburg, MS, April 2, 2025 – Merit Health River Region, in a commendable effort to combat hunger, has culminated its Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive by collecting a record 1,339 jars of peanut butter for the Storehouse Community Food Pantry. The annual drive, now in its second year, saw an impressive increase from last year's collection of 1,159 jars. With a food insecurity rate of 17% in Vicksburg, Warren County, the initiative aims to support the community's food needs with peanut butter, a nutriti... ... Read More

What is Occupational Therapy? In its simplest terms, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing support for older adults experiencing... ... Read More

Flowood, MS, March 30, 2025 - For the third consecutive year, Merit Health is celebrating National Doctors’ Day in a meaningful way—by giving back to the community in honor of their dedicated medical staff. This year, the Jackson area hospitals have once again chosen to express their appreciation by making donations to local charities selected by their physicians. National Doctors’ Day is an opportunity to recognize physicians for their expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication to patient care. T... ... Read More

Vicksburg, MS – Merit Health River Region, in honor of its dedicated medical staff members, is celebrating National Doctors' Day by donating $6,000 to Haven House Family Shelter. This significant donation underlines the hospital's commitment not just to their patients, but also to the wider community. National Doctors’ Day, celebrated annually on March 30, is a day to appreciate the immense contributions of doctors and medical staff in caring for patients and their communities. This year, Merit Health R... ... Read More

Community Helps Hospital Surpass Goal of 2,000 Jars of Peanut Butter NATCHEZ, Miss. –March 28, 2025 – To help address hunger in our community, and in celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2, Merit Health Natchez donated 2.918 jars of peanut butter to the following local food bank distribution sites: Natchez First Assembly of God Kings Kabinet Food Pantry, Pilgrim Baptist Church Food Pantry, River Assembly Church Feed the Hungry Pantry and Staples Food Pantry through St. Mary’s Bas... ... Read More

NATCHEZ, MS – For the third year in a row, Merit Health Natchez chose a unique way to commemorate National Doctors’ Day and honor the providers who serve at the hospital. In lieu of gifts, Merit Health Natchez presented a check on March 25 for $3,000 to the Natchez Stewpot as a meaningful way to recognize and honor its medical staff. The first-ever Doctors’ Day was celebrated on March 30, 1933 in Winder, Georgia. Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, decided to set aside a day to honor phy... ... Read More