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After five years of dedication and quality improvement work, Merit Health River Oaks was re-designated as Baby-Friendly on September 21, 2023. Merit Health River Oaks is known in its community as being a family-centered facility providing quality care. The hospital has been working with CHAMPS (Communities and Hospitals Advancing Maternity Practices) since 2017, determined to improve breastfeeding education, resources, and support. “The mission of Merit Health River Oaks is to provide quality patient ca... ... Read More

Flowood MS – If it seems like more people are getting sick each day – it’s not your imagination. Diagnoses of flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are on the rise across the U.S., with the CDC trackers showing flu activity to be high here in Mississippi, and more people visiting the emergency department or needing hospitalizations for treatment of severe symptoms. Because the symptoms for each condition are similar, it’s important to know when they signal a medical emergency. All can caus... ... Read More

Interventional cardiology physician Randel Smith, M.D., FACC, has joined Merit Health Medical Group in Flowood. Dr. Smith focuses on the functions and disorders of the heart and circulatory system. He provides routine and preventive cardiac services, as well as helping to manage chronic conditions. Dr. Smith received his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, LA. He also completed his residency at Louisiana School of Medicine where he was appointed Chief Residen... ... Read More

Check your deductible status and FSA balance to see if there’s money to be saved or used Most consumers pay significant premiums for their health insurance, but not everyone takes full advantage of the benefits of insurance coverage, especially once the annual deductible has been reached. Using your health plan benefits for medical visits, screenings and procedures is the best way to support your overall health. And, as the current plan year comes to an end, right now may be the best time to address any... ... Read More

Merit Health River Oaks has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification. Merit Health River Oaks underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review on Monday, October 2, 2023. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including delivering and facilitating evidence-based clinical care. Joint Commission standards are developed in consul... ... Read More

On average, adults in the United States sit for over 12 hours a day. This sedentary lifestyle is becoming increasingly more common largely due to jobs that require sitting for prolonged periods, long commutes, TV binge watching and increased cell phone usage. But, this lifestyle can cause real harm to overall health. Sitting down for extended stretches increases the risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity, even in those who exercise regularly. Often, prolon... ... Read More

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Despite being preventable and treatable, many individuals still die from this disease due to a lack of awareness about preventive care. Merit Health is committed to promoting early detection and prevention of colon cancer through regular colonoscopy screenings because, when detected early, the survival rate for colon cancer is approximately 90%. During this non-invasive p... ... Read More

If that weekend Zumba class, game of basketball or run through the park have you limping into work on Monday morning, you are not alone. Sports injuries are now the second leading reason for physician office visits after the common cold. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, knee pain accounts for 4 million primary visits annually. Considering the prevalence has increased almost 65% over the past 20 years, it’s no surprise that a growing number of these injuries are occurring among “we... ... Read More

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., but many people show no symptoms. Certain screening tests like a cardiac CT calcium scoring can help to detect heart disease and provide patients with the time to improve their health outcomes. A cardiac CT calcium scoring is a common test that utilizes a noninvasive CT scan to provide information about whether calcified plaque is in the coronary arteries—the vessels that supply oxygen-containing blood to the heart ... ... Read More

Temperatures across the United States are rising and so are incidents of heat exhaustion. In fact, between 2016 and 2021, the number of patients diagnosed with heat exhaustion between the months of May and September rose by 53%. Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea and muscle cramps and the condition is more likely to affect the elderly, those with high blood pressure and people who work in a hot environment according... ... Read More