The H.E.A.R.T. of Mississippi

03/29/2026

After 25 years in emergency medicine and military service, I started putting what I've learned into writing. The Global MedOps Command blog covers AI in the ED, clinical operations, and the leadership challenges physicians face every shift. I'm also publishing deeper-dive articles (no paywall) on Medium for those who want the full research and analysis. New content drops weekly on both -- come check them out.

globalmedopscommand.com/blog

medium.com/.shermer

03/28/2026

Our former Medical Director.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DFuo1ewFr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The observation unit is the most underutilized tool in emergency medicine.

Every shift, emergency physicians face the same disposition problem: the patient who is too sick to send home and too well to admit. Chest pain with a negative first troponin. Syncope with an unremarkable ECG. Asthma that responds to treatment but not convincingly enough for discharge.

The default in most departments is admission -- because the alternative feels like risk. But unnecessary admissions are not risk-free. They expose patients to hospital-acquired complications, consume inpatient resources that are already stretched, and generate costs that the system cannot sustain.

Observation medicine exists to solve that problem. A well-designed observation unit with evidence-based protocols, defined endpoints, and appropriate patient selection criteria can safely manage diagnostic uncertainty without defaulting to admission. The data is clear: observation units reduce unnecessary admissions, shorten time to definitive diagnosis, and improve patient satisfaction.

I wrote The Emergency Medicine Observation Unit because most EM physicians were never formally trained in observation medicine -- and the departments that do it well have protocols the rest of us can learn from.

See more at https://globalmedopscommand.com/books.

03/27/2026

Education, Research, and Healthcare are the core responsibilities of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. AirCare plays a vital role in all three areas, delivering high-quality education to our partners, exceptional care to our citizens, and meaningful research to improve patient outcomes.

With that in mind, we are proud to recognize our own Shyann King, who has been selected to present her research at the Critical Care Transport Medicine Conference in Orange Beach on April 13. This is a significant honor, as it is a national conference where clinical staff, educators, and medical directors gather to share knowledge and advance the field.

Her research project, Impact of Advanced HEMS-Based Scene Resuscitation on Trauma Outcomes in a Rural Trauma System, was selected for presentation in the scientific forum. Her hard work and dedication to this project will undoubtedly contribute to improvements in clinical practice.

She will represent both UMMC and the AirCare program with excellence, reflecting the talent and commitment of our team.

02/13/2026

FIRST RESPONDERS! Our Medical Director, Dr. Derek Culnan, in partnership with Ivy Consulting Group, is presenting "Pre-hospital Burn Care for First Responders" this March in Jackson, MS. The event offers four hours of CEU credits, is free and lunch will be provided. If you are interested, register at www.ivy-consulting.net or scan the QR code.

12/04/2025

Flight Nurse TJ Pickering was selected for the South Region Safety Award of the Month for October. Presenting his award is Regional Director Steve Peacock. Congratulations and keep up the good work, TJ.

11/26/2025

Mississippi Doctor Goes Viral for Revealing Cash Prices for Medical Care

A Mississippi physician is gaining national attention after posting videos showing what uninsured patients are actually charged for medical services.

Dr. Ashlee Hendry, owner of Mid-South Direct Primary Care, has been calling hospitals and imaging centers to compare cash-pay prices — and the differences shocked her audience.

In one video, she found MRI prices ranging anywhere from $210 to over $2,000, depending on the facility. She said many viewers were surprised to learn that uninsured patients sometimes pay less than those with insurance because insurance companies set different rates.

Hendry, whose practice operates on cash-only direct care, said her goal is to highlight the lack of price transparency in healthcare and help people understand their options. She still recommends carrying insurance for major emergencies, but says rising premiums make coverage difficult for many families.

“There are affordable ways to get care without insurance,” Hendry said — and her viral videos are starting that conversation.

09/09/2025

🚨 WE’RE HIRING – Emergency Services Coordinator! 🚨
Join UMMC – Mississippi Med-Com and be the heartbeat of emergency care in Mississippi.

💥 Full-Time & Part-Time Opportunities 💥
📍 Jackson, MS – Main Campus

✨ Why this role matters:
As an Emergency Services Coordinator, you’ll play a vital role in saving lives—coordinating patient flow, transfers, admissions, and even air medical transports when every second counts.

✅ Requirements:
📘 Education & Experience

High School Diploma/GED

1 year of Medical Dispatching or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) experience

📜 Certifications / Licenses

Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association

One of the following: EMT, EMD, or AMT (Mississippi State Department of Health)

NIMS 100, 200, 700 & 800 (must be completed within 6 months post-hire)

⭐ Preferred Qualifications

NAACS certification preferred

If EMT: valid Mississippi EMS jurisdictional medical control (to be obtained within 1 month of hire)

💡 What You’ll Do:
⚡ Coordinate emergency admissions & transfers
⚡ Manage air & ground transport logistics
⚡ Be the connection between patients, providers & emergency teams

🔥 Why Join UMMC?

Be part of Mississippi’s ONLY academic medical center

Make an impact every single day in emergency care

Flexible schedules – full-time OR part-time

🚑 Ready to make every second count? Apply today!
👉 Apply here:
https://ummc.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UMCCareers/job/Jackson-MS---Main-Campus/Emergency-Services-Coordinator---Mississippi-Med-Com---Full-Time--Part-Time_R00045573-1

📲 Tag someone who thrives under pressure & is ready to save lives!

09/05/2025

https://www.wjtv.com/living-local/focused-on-health/hinds-county-to-launch-911-nurse-navigation/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMn1kpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkJ46-LTpoZIkE9SBgLUyzAlSO9dEU7JcHWHDNB6wV0N0Yv85vd7vIWfmqNB_aem_KEcu3-TYvpfYFViX3hl3Fg

Hinds County is launching a 911 Nurse Navigation system in October 2025 to connect nurses with 911 callers, reduce unnecessary ambulance dispatches and emergency room visits, and provide appropriat…

06/30/2025

Exciting Announcement from NAEMT

Meet Mrs. Holly L. Chenault, BHS, NREMT.
NAEMT has appointed Mrs. Chenault as the new NAEMT State Coordinator for Mississippi.

Mrs. Chenault is a mother of two, a 10-year-old son, and a 1-year-old daughter. Mrs. Chenault is a native of Cleveland, Mississippi. With a diverse background, Mrs. Chenault has obtained 15 years of experience as an Emergency Medical Professional. She has held multiple roles within Public Service and Emergency Medicine, beginning her EMS career in 2010. Since then, she has garnered a significant amount of education and experience, which she brings with her to her new position with NAEMT.

In her free time, Mrs. Chenault enjoys various activities, such as splitting her time between her home in Cleveland, Mississippi, and her lake home in Lake Village, Arkansas. She cherishes one-on-one time with her family, engages in fall harvest on her family’s farm, enjoys camping trips, lake days, hunting, cross-country traveling, and photography. She is also an active member of First Baptist Church in Cleveland, Mississippi.

In terms of education, Mrs. Chenault has obtained five degrees, all within Emergency Medicine, Public Service, and Healthcare Management, along with numerous additional certifications:

University of Mississippi Medical Center (2015)
• Bachelor of Health Science, with an emphasis in Healthcare Management

University of Arkansas at Monticello (2012)
• Associate of Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine - Paramedic

University of Arkansas at Monticello (2012)
• Associate of Technology

Mississippi Delta Community College (2011)
• Associate of Pre-Health Science, with a minor in Biology

Mississippi Delta Community College (2010)
• Emergency Medical Technology

Mrs. Chenault has served in numerous roles, and has been fortunate to gain specialized experience in several areas throughout her career, including, but not limited to:

• Pre-Hospital Emergency Clinician
• Neonatal Critical Care Transport
• Cardiovascular Intensive Care
• Emergency Medical Education Coordinator
• Clinical Preceptor
• Air Medical Marketing Specialist
• Fire-based Emergency Medical Coordinator
• Advanced Search and Rescue Diver Certification

Last but not least, Mrs. Chenault has recently been serving as the NAEMT Assistant State Coordinator under Dr. David Hall, who served as the lead NAEMT State Coordinator and who was also the State Director of Emergency Medical Services within the Mississippi State Department of Health. After Dr. Hall's departure from NAEMT on January 1st, 2025, Mrs. Chenault was appointed to temporarily serve as the interim lead State Coordinator.

Mrs. Chenault is dedicated to bridging the gap between emergency medical clinicians, emergency medical service organizations, supporting, recruiting and retaining students in the educational setting, and by working with: local, state, and national legislators to voice concerns and providing proposal’s to help propel the emergency medical industry in a long-term, positive, and progressive direction. Her goal is to ensure that emergency medical clinicians and organizations are protected and advancing for decades to come.

Please reach out to Mrs. Chenault with any concerns or suggestions that you may have. Please also inform her of any upcoming meetings or conferences on the local, state, national and organization levels, that she should attend to help address issues within the first responder and emergency medical industry. Additionally, please add her to any important correspondences that she should be aware of, as she is the point of contact for local, state and national legislative issues.

You can find Mrs. Chenault’s contact information below. Be sure to follow her on social media for updates on local, state, and national legislative policy issues that directly affect all aspects of public service as a whole, healthcare, emergency medical service operations, and all emergency medical clinicians.

Mrs.Chenault can be reached at the links below:

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B1rbREJKo/?mibextid=wwXIfr

NAEMT State Representative link: https://www.naemt.org/advocacy/advocacy-coordinators
* This link is the offical national directory for each states contact information.

04/02/2025

03/28/2025

🚑 On March 5, 2025, a life was saved thanks to the quick actions of our incredible team! A longtime employee of the Golden Nugget suffered a cardiac arrest while at work—but thanks to the immediate response of first responders and the expert care provided by Paramedic Glenn Donnoly and EMT Juanita Bennett, he was revived on the scene.

Yesterday, he walked back through those same doors, fully neurologically intact, ready to return to the job he has held for almost 20 years!

This is why we do what we do. Moments like these remind us of the impact of EMS and the importance of every call we answer.

Join us in celebrating this incredible outcome and the dedication of Glenn, Juanita, and everyone who played a role in this lifesaving moment!