The staff of the Choctaw Regional Medical Center celebrated its fifth anniversary this past Thursday, and members of the community were invited to join the festivities.
Jamie Rodgers, CEO/Administrator, said, “In 2014 the county took the hospital over, and we started with nothing and we have grown this health center to what it is today, a sustainable, quality health care system for Choctaw County.”
Rodgers added that the Medical Center is hugely important to the county as small, rural hospitals are in danger of going out of business due to cutbacks by the federal government. But thanks to the hard work of its employees, the Medical Center Board and the Board of Supervisors, CRMC continues to provide quality healthcare to the residents of Choctaw County.
In addition to emergency room services the Medical Center offers a full range of lab services, a very innovative radiology department, an intensive out-patient site program, and after-hours clinics. Rodgers added that they have a robust medical staff including physicians and nurse practitioners. And with 350-plus employees, the CRMC is one of the largest employers in Choctaw County.
Board of Trustees President, Rick Jenkins said, “We are so proud of our staff and where this hospital has come.” He added that five years ago they began with borrowed money to help make the payroll, and they have come a long way since then.
Board of Supervisors President, Joey Stephenson stated, “Barring anything catastrophic happening, by March of next year we should have this facility paid for. The people of Choctaw County will own this hospital. We’re eight years ahead of payments.” He added that they had saved millions of dollars in interest. Both Rodgers and Jenkins credited the Board of Supervisors for their work in keeping the CRMC a viable healthcare facility.
The celebration was a time for the employees of CRMC to fellowship with one another, and those from the community, and to acknowledge a job well done.
