Jackson, TN, Finds Synergistic Solutions

Expanding collaborations make residents healthier and happier in Jackson, TN.

By Patsy B. Weiler on August 9, 2023

Everything you want in health care is part of the lifeblood that makes Jackson great. World-class facilities and providers, leading medical technology, a patient-centered focus, community outreach, strong collaborations providing specialized services and more are available close to home.

70-Plus Years of Providing Health Care

The nonprofit Jackson-Madison County General Hospital is the 642-bed flagship affiliate of West Tennessee Healthcare and is the only tertiary care facility between Memphis and Nashville. The hospital is grounded in more than 70 years of quality care with a high-tech, high-touch reputation.

An important part of what makes it outstanding is the facility’s growing number of specialized services. The hospital holds the elite distinction of being ranked in the top 6% of hospitals providing heart care in the U.S. by the American College of Cardiology. It is the only location in rural West Tennessee to perform open heart surgery and will soon celebrate 40 years of providing this procedure to save lives — big accomplishments for a smaller city.

Jackson-Madison County General Hospital has long been a health care leader in West Tennessee, but a recent groundbreaking procedure performed by the facility’s Interventional Radiology team was the first time it has been done in Tennessee and only the third time in the world.

In early 2023, led by Jackson Radiology Associates’ Dr. John Crocker, the team completed an arterial thrombectomy – the removal of a blood clot – using Penumbra’s Lightning Flash Thrombectomy catheter.

“Being one of the first hospitals in the world to perform these vital procedures reiterates that West Tennessee Healthcare/Jackson-Madison County General Hospital truly does offer world-class care right here in the heart of West Tennessee,” says Keith Garner, executive director of radiology.

Community Collaboration Provides Care for Children

An exciting collaboration with the Memphis-based Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, recognized among the nation’s Best Children’s Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, means the area’s youngest patients have quick access to expert pediatric care in the 21-bed inpatient unit Le Bonheur recently opened inside Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

Reaching out to meet an important and growing community need, Jackson-Madison County General Hospital has joined hands with the YMCA of West Tennessee with the goal of offering increased child care enrollment capacity and expanded hours to assist more families in the area.

The Therapy & Learning Center recently transitioned to a new home at the YMCA. It will continue to offer day care services and provide early intervention help and therapy for special needs children.   

“As we expand our services through collaborations, like those with Le Bonheur Children’s and Select Specialty Hospitals, and focus on state-of-the-art technology to deliver nationally recognized care, we continue to focus on our mission – to improve the health and well-being and the communities we serve while providing exceptional and compassionate care,” says James Ross, West Tennessee Healthcare president and CEO.

A Vital Piece of a Growing Nursing Program

The newly remodeled Sprague Hall at the University of Memphis Lambuth campus will serve as a vital piece to the long-term stability of the school’s vibrant and growing nursing program. Housed in a former longtime dormitory, the project gave new life to 26,500 square feet of renovated interior space that includes labs, simulation suites, study areas and office space. The building’s historic exterior was preserved.

A key goal is to educate future nurses for West Tennessee, a region where the profession is in high demand. The program has had a successful track record in reaching the objective since it began with 12 individuals in 2012. Approximately 170 students are now enrolled with plans to increase the number to 300 soon. 

“We partnered with West Tennessee Healthcare to provide more bachelor of science in nursing graduates to meet their needs, and we have made significant progress,” says Niles Reddick, UofM Lambuth, dean. “Their data has shown that not only are our graduates excellent nurses, but they also have a very high rate of retention. We are very proud of our nursing faculty and the high-quality instruction they provide our students.”