As we celebrate Doctors’ Day this year, I want to thank the skilled physicians, along with the talented and energetic employees of Merit Health Wesley. Last year, we were privileged to provide quality healthcare for the Pine Belt more than 206,000 times. As we care for you and the place we all call home, our impact is deep, contributing more than $179 million to the region through charity/uncompensated care provided, reinvestment in services, employee payroll, payment of more than $13 million in taxes to support local civic resources, and our charitable projects.
Patients have more access to services and we’ve enhanced the patient experience through more than $3 million in capital projects, including new family medicine clinics in Hattiesburg and Sumrall.
Emergency medicine remains a vital service, with more than 29,500 visits to the emergency room. We provide life-saving medically necessary care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, delivering more than $80 million in charity and uncompensated care and resources to help them secure medications and medical support devices.
Through financial donations and acts of service, we support local charitable and community organizations including Edward’s Street Fellowship Center, Habitat for Humanity, and our third annual Jars of Love drive that collected more than 2,000 jars of peanut butters for Extra Table and the local food banks they supply.
The heart of Merit Health is our dedicated team of physicians, nurses and staff. Payroll of more than $68 million supports their tireless, around the clock delivery of quality care and we are grateful for their service. We recognize the need for trained medical professionals and are supporting the next generation of doctors through our Graduate Medical Education Program. We welcomed a new class of 20 first-year residents. The program now includes 26 emergency medicine and 12 transitional year residents.
This team is passionate about making a difference in the lives of those who are counting on us. Together, we have an unwavering commitment to patient safety, clinical excellence, and doing the right thing every day for those who trust us with their care.
