Merit Health Delivering Quality Care and More to Hinds, Madison & Rankin Counties
4/22/2025
Total Community Benefit Approximately $521 million in 2024
The Jackson area Merit Health hospitals provided care to thousands of area residents in 2024, with more than 498,000 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’s impact totaled an estimated $521 million in 2024.
Merit Health’s emergency rooms provide lifesaving, medically necessary care at more than 89,000 patient encounters each year, treating all patients regardless of their ability to pay. In 2024, Merit Health provided $306 million in charity and uncompensated care, as well as resources to help patients in need of secure medications and medical support devices.
The health system and its employees also support local organizations that make a difference, especially those addressing social determinants of health. Through service projects such as the annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter drive for the Mississippi Food Network and contributions to charitable organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association, Merit Health gives back to the community throughout the year.
To enhance patient care and expand healthcare access, Merit Health is investing in medical services, facilities and technologies. Capital projects in 2023 and 2024 totaled approximately $52 million and included a new interventional radiology department at Merit Health River Oaks and an enhanced imaging unit at Merit Health Woman’s Hospital, both of which contribute to a positive patient experience.
Merit Health River Oaks continues to expand its specialized heart care services, making advanced treatments more accessible to our community. Through partnerships with UMMC cardiovascular specialists, Jackson Pulmonary Associates, and dedicated nocturnists, we provide Rankin County’s most comprehensive heart care. Our team offers advanced diagnostics and interventional procedures and accepts referrals from outlying facilities to ensure patients receive high-level care close to home. In 2024, our Cath Lab performed more than 3,800 procedures—a 60% increase from the previous year—demonstrating the growing demand for our advanced cardiac services. Additionally, our cardiology services have expanded with the addition of another cardiologist, bringing the total to nine providers. That same year, our team conducted more than 200 heart screenings, some of which detected critical health issues that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
In 2024, Merit Health expanded its behavioral health services by opening a dedicated chemical dependency unit at Merit Health Central, providing much-needed support for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. This new unit allows patients to receive specialized care close to home, eliminating the need to travel long distances for treatment. By enhancing local access to comprehensive addiction care, we are helping more community members take the first step toward recovery in a supportive and healing environment.
“Our efforts to grow and enhance the medical services we provide are ongoing, as we continuously improve our safety and quality and support access to healthcare for our community,” said Greg Oden, MD, chief medical officer of Merit Health. “From providing care to our most vulnerable residents to supporting local charitable organizations, we are proud to make an impact on the health, well-being and quality of life in the Jackson metro area.”
Also in 2024, skilled surgeons across our hospital network performed over 1,300 robotic-assisted surgeries, demonstrating our commitment to advancing surgical care for our patients. Robotic surgery offers numerous benefits, including greater precision, smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, and faster recovery times compared to traditional surgery. By utilizing this advanced technology, our surgical teams can perform complex procedures with enhanced visualization and control, leading to better outcomes and improved patient experiences.
Merit Health Woman’s Hospital is the only hospital in Mississippi offering single-dose intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) for early-stage breast cancer. This advanced treatment allows qualifying patients to receive targeted radiation during tumor removal surgery, often eliminating the need for 3–6 weeks of external beam radiation. As the state’s pioneer in IORT, Merit Health continues to invest in experienced providers and innovative treatments to ensure high-quality cancer care is accessible close to home.
“We are strategically applying our resources to help area residents have access to the care they need in their own community,” said Oden. “These investments, along with our outstanding medical staff and employees, support our delivery of high quality medical care and services for a positive patient experience.”
Merit Health is one of the community’s larger employers with a payroll of almost $160 million. Support for the future healthcare workforce includes training the next generation of medical professionals. A partnership with Hinds Community College Nursing Program provides nursing students with an opportunity to enhance previously learned skills under the supervision of experienced registered nurses at Merit Health. In addition, we support other local nursing programs by assisting their students with essentials needed to complete their academic schooling.
In addition to supporting the local economy through job creation, Merit Health paid approximately $36 million in taxes in 2024, monies that support local infrastructure and civic resources.
As part of our commitment to serving not just our patients but the broader community, the leadership team across our hospital network is deeply committed to the well-being of the communities we serve, extending their impact beyond the walls of our hospitals. Many of our leaders serve on boards of directors for local nonprofits, healthcare advocacy groups, and educational institutions, helping to shape policies and initiatives that improve public health and access to care. They are actively involved in their churches, providing support and guidance to faith-based initiatives that address social needs. Additionally, they volunteer their time with community outreach programs, mentoring future healthcare professionals, supporting food drives, and participating in initiatives that promote health and wellness. Their dedication reflects a shared mission to not only provide exceptional healthcare but to be a driving force for positive change in the communities we call home.
Merit Health’s commitment to helping people get well and live healthier includes a free monthly e-newsletter with health and wellness tips for all ages. Sign up at https://shorturl.at/oBIhn.
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