Published: July 01, 2009 12:13 am      

Burn center coming back to Mississippi

from staff reports



When the burn center in Greenville closed years ago there was a collective gasp from patients and firefighters alike who thought the state should always have just such a facility.

This morning there will be a press conference at the Crossgates River Oaks Hospital in Brandon beginning at 10:30 am. to trumpet the opening of a brand new burn center for Mississippians.

"No longer will Mississippians have to travel unbelievable hours on the road to go out of state for treatment," said Jeff Homan, Meridian Fire Department Chief and President of the Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association, who will be attending the press conference.

The opening of the burn center is in partnership with Crossgates River Oaks Hospital and the Joseph M. Still Burn Center. The center will officially open for patients on July 6 at the Crossgates River Oaks Hospital in Brandon.

The Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association, Inc., the Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association, and the Mississippi Firefighters Association have been working with Dr. Fred Mullins and his staff at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Ga., to help make the service available for Mississippi citizens.

"What we need now is to get the word out to every community in our state and make sure our citizens needing this type of care is sent to our burn center," Homan said. "Having this care available in the state will make the recovery from traumatic burn injuries much better, not only for the patients, but for the family members that need to be close to their loved ones for continued support throughout the healing process."