Baptist Union County Begins OB Hospitalist Program

NEW ALBANY, MISS., March 1, 2021–Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County implemented a new OB Hospitalist program on March 1, 2021.  OB Hospitalists are board certified OB/GYNs who provide in-hospital coverage, 24/7.

L-R: Dr. Greg Mitchell, Chaplain Nathan Hamilton, Cheryl Hodges, nurse manager

Specialized physicians will evaluate women with obstetric and gynecologic medical issues and consult with the patient’s primary physician, or OB/GYN, until her own physician arrives at the hospital. The OB hospitalists will be located in the new OB Emergency Department in the Women’s Center at Baptist Union County.

The OB Hospitalist program does not replace the patient’s regular obstetrician,” stated Heather Reid, Chief Nursing Officer.  “It ensures that every OB patient, regardless of time of day or physician association, is seen by an OB/GYN right away if she needs immediate care.”

The OB Hospitalists are required to have additional training in neonatal resuscitation, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and OB emergency care. Baptist Union County’s OB Hospitalists will also be available for consultations in the hospital and for emergent care in the Emergency Department.

“The OB Hospitalist program demonstrates Baptist Union County’s commitment to quality of care for patients in our service area,” said James Grantham, CEO and Administrator of Baptist Union County.  “Not only will the program enhance our overall women’s health services, it will contribute to better patient outcomes.”

L-R: Lauren Maness,
Christin Cockrell,
Jacque Craig,
Mendy Bullock.
Dr. Greg Mitchell,
Dr. Garrick Slate,
Dr. Charles Rollison

Types of urgent care cases the hospitalists might see include patients 16 weeks pregnant or greater who require emergency care, ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, and tubo-ovarian abscesses. Because OB hospitalists are always onsite, they can provide immediate surgery or manage problems until the patient’s OB/GYN arrives.

Baptist Union County offers a variety of services, including adult and pediatric inpatient care, maternity, surgery, a 24-hour emergency department and diagnostics. The hospital also has 3D mammography, TeleHealth services and an eICU. Baptist Union County has an excellent reputation for providing quality care and recently earned an “A” Safety Grade from the Leapfrog Group. Most notably, Baptist Union County earned five stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the hospital’s quality, outcomes, safety and patient satisfaction. The Chartis Center for Rural Health also recognized the hospital as one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the country.

For more information about Baptist Union County, please call 662-538-7631 or visit unioncounty.baptistonline.org.