MSU CAVS-Extension, MSDH help rural hospitals improve processes, patient care

CANTON, Miss.—��Ƶ and the ��Ƶ Department of Health are partnering to support the Magnolia State’s rural hospitals.

Representatives from MSU CAVS-Extension, the ��Ƶ Department of Health and rural hospitals across the state are pictured during CAVS-Extension’s Healthcare Lean Certificate training. Eleven hospitals are participating in the training this fall. (Photo by Jonah Holland)

This fall, MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems-Extension in Canton is offering the Healthcare Lean Certificate training for representatives from 11 hospitals. Funded by the MSDH Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program, class participants are learning process improvement methods to enhance the safety and quality of patient care, as well as organizational efficiency.

“As our state’s small and rural hospitals face a wide range of challenges, I am glad we are able to partner with MSDH to deliver impactful training in service of these important hospitals and the communities they serve,” said John Moore, CAVS-E senior project manager and HLC lead instructor.

Healthcare Lean training refers to the application of Lean principles and practices in the healthcare industry through specialized training programs. Lean is a management philosophy and methodology that originated in the manufacturing sector. It focuses on eliminating waste, improving efficiency, and enhancing the overall quality of processes. When applied to healthcare, Lean principles aim to optimize patient care, enhance patient safety and improve the overall effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

The federally funded Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program is administered by MSDH’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care. Participants in this fall’s training all represent hospitals with 49 beds or less.

“It has been a pleasure to collaborate with MSU CAVS-E to provide Mississippi’s small, rural hospitals the unique opportunity to complete Healthcare Lean certification,” said Alushus Cooper, a grant coordinator in MSDH’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care. “Our office looks forward to a continued partnership with MSU CAVS-E.”

Participants in the training this fall include:

—Michelle Thornton and Jessica Rempel, Field Health Systems;

—Tisha Wallace and Kaedi A. Carney, Lawrence County Hospital;

—Carlie Lindsey and Carla Allen, Copiah County Medical Center;

—Deena Branum and Lori Stines, Pearl River County Hospital;

—Dillon Slay, Wayne General Hospital;

—Kayla Jeffcoat and Shatia Jones, Covington County Hospital;

—Amy Alfonso, Highland Community Hospital;

—Setrick Johnson, Mississippi Air National Guard;

—Carly Crowder, University of Mississippi Medical Center Otolaryngology;

—“KiKi” Zakiyo F. Jackson, North Sunflower Medical Center

—Melissa White, Jefferson Davis Community Hospital.

The Healthcare Lean training consists of four two-day sessions. Registration is currently open for CAVS-E’s spring 2025 program. Learn more at .

CAVS-Extension has generated more than $7.2 billion in reported economic impact since 2006 by providing technical assistance and expertise to Mississippi’s manufacturing companies. For more, visit .

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