General
STEMI vs. Heart Attack: What Every Family Should Know
Understanding the difference could save someone you love. When a loved one clutches their chest or says they don’t feel right, every second matters. At the Mississippi Healthcare Alliance, we hear the same question from families across the state: “What’s the difference between a heart attack and a STEMI? Aren’t they the same thing?” The…
Read MoreKnow the Signs, Save a Life: Stroke Awareness Month in Mississippi
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. In Mississippi, the stakes are even higher. Here’s what every resident needs to know this May. By Mississippi Healthcare Alliance | Stroke Awareness Month | May 2025 May is National Stroke Awareness Month The Mississippi Healthcare Alliance is committed to reducing stroke deaths and…
Read MoreKnow the Signs. Act Without Delay.
Recognizing Heart Attack, Stroke, Cardiac Arrest, and Sepsis Can Save Your Life — or Someone You Love ♥ Heart Attack Chest pressure, arm or jaw pain Call 911 immediately ◎ Stroke BE-FAST: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech Call 911 — time is brain ⚡ Cardiac Arrest Unresponsive, no normal breathing Call 911 & begin CPR…
Read MoreMississippi Healthcare Alliance Appoints Patricia Freeman, BSN, RN, as Executive Director
February 2, 2026, Jackson, Miss. — The Mississippi Healthcare Alliance (MHA) is pleased to announce that Patricia Freeman, BSN, RN, has accepted the role of Executive Director, bringing more than four decades of clinical, quality improvement, and healthcare leadership experience to the organization. Freeman is a highly respected nurse leader and healthcare quality expert, recently…
Read MoreMississippi Healthcare Alliance Brings Top Voices and Cutting-Edge Content to the Advancing Cardiac & Neurological Care Conference — February 21, 2026, Sheraton, Flowood
The Mississippi Healthcare Alliance (MHCA) is once again convening clinicians, system leaders, and allied health professionals to focus on two of the most important—and rapidly evolving—areas of care: cardiac and neurological medicine. The one-day Advancing Cardiac & Neurological Care in Mississippi education conference on February 21, 2026, brings together national and regional experts, practical system-of-care…
Read MoreAdvancing Cardiac & Neurological Care in Mississippi — Protocols, Systems & Best Practices
Why Mississippi needs focused systems Mississippi continues to face elevated burdens of cardiovascular disease and stroke, often compounded by rural geography, fewer resources, and logistical challenges in timely care. For example, the Mississippi State Department of Health notes in its Cardiovascular Health Plan that key objectives include reducing uncontrolled blood pressure and increasing awareness of…
Read MoreThe Essential Role of Nurse Practitioners in Rural Healthcare Across Mississippi
Access to quality healthcare is one of Mississippi’s greatest ongoing challenges—especially in rural areas where hospitals and clinics often struggle to meet growing patient needs. For many Mississippians, nurse practitioners (NPs) have become the foundation of accessible, compassionate, and high-quality care. These highly trained professionals are helping close critical healthcare gaps and ensuring that patients…
Read MorePreventing Sudden Cardiac Death: Awareness, Action, and Lifesaving Measures
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an unexpected loss of heart function that occurs within minutes after symptoms begin. It is often caused by an electrical disturbance in the heart, known as arrhythmia, that prevents the heart from pumping blood effectively. While SCD can affect anyone, it is most common in people with underlying heart disease,…
Read MoreCongratulations to the Following Hospitals for their American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines Recognitions
Stroke Recognitions Gold Plus Merit Health River Oaks Ochsner Medical Center, Hancock Ochsner Rush Medical Center UMMC Madison Gold Plus, Target HF Optimal Honor Roll, Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Merit Health Wesley Gold Plus, Target Stroke Elite Honor Roll Methodist Olive Branch Hospital St. Dominic Hospital Gold Greenwood Leflore Hospital Gold Plus, Target…
Read MoreCongratulations to the 2025 Chest Pain-MI Registry Performance Achievement Winners!
The Chest Pain-MI Registry Performance Achievement Award, given by the American College of Cardiology, recognizes hospitals for consistently achieving high-level performance on critical heart attack care measures defined by the registry. To earn the award, hospitals must meet aggressive performance benchmarks related to guideline-based care and demonstrate sustained excellence over time, indicating a superior standard…
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