Why choose Ochsner Rush Medical Center?

At Ochsner Rush Medical Center in Meridian, Mississippi, we are committed to providing you and your family with exceptional, comprehensive healthcare. As a 215-bed acute care facility, we serve as a trusted health partner for communities throughout east Mississippi and west Alabama. Our dedicated team uses advanced technology and a patient-centered approach to deliver the expert care you need, close to home. We are driven by a mission to improve health and wellness, offering a broad spectrum of specialty services and innovative treatments to ensure the best possible outcomes for every person we serve.

Our services

We offer a wide range of specialized medical services, combining advanced technology with compassionate care to meet your health needs.

  • Emergency & trauma care: Our Level III Trauma Center is ready 24/7 with a physician-staffed emergency department prepared to handle critical medical situations.
  • Heart & vascular care: Our cardiology department provides comprehensive cardiac services, including prevention, detection, and treatment with advanced noninvasive testing.
  • Maternity & newborn care: The Family Birth Center offers a supportive environment for expecting mothers, while our 12-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides specialized care for premature and high-risk infants.
  • Surgical services: We utilize leading-edge technology, including surgical robotics, to perform a variety of procedures with precision and promote faster recovery times.
  • Joint replacement center: Our dedicated center focuses on helping patients regain mobility and improve their quality of life through expert orthopedic care.
  • Rehabilitation services: Housed in a state-of-the-art facility, our nationally recognized program offers cardiac rehabilitation, physical, occupational, speech and aquatic therapy to support your recovery.
  • Diabetes management: We provide education and resources to help individuals age 6 and up effectively manage Type I and Type II diabetes and live healthier lives.
    • Newly diagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes
    • Management of uncontrolled cholesterol and or high blood pressure in association with diabetes
    • Insulin pump therapy
    • Patients who are interested in newer therapy options
    • Patients who can benefit from diabetes self-management training through our education sessions
    • Team approach to diabetes management
    • Diabetic foot care
  • Gastroenterology lab: Our gastroenterology lab offers diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for digestive health conditions.
  • Pain treatment center: We focus on diagnosing and treating chronic pain to help restore function and comfort.
  • The vein center: We offer specialized care for vascular conditions, including treatment for varicose veins and other circulatory issues.
  • Senior care program: This intensive outpatient program is designed to meet the unique healthcare needs of our senior community.
  • Respiratory care: We provide quality care to patients of all ages. Our therapists are trained and qualified to provide treatment, evaluation and monitoring of patients with breathing disorders and cardiovascular problems. Our respiratory therapists work closely with the physician to provide a comprehensive approach to treatment.
  • Laboratory and radiology: We offer a variety of imaging and lab services on both an inpatient and outpatient basis to support accurate and timely diagnosis.

The goal of Workforce Wellness is to return ill and injured workers to their regular duties as safely, quickly, and efficiently as possible.

Workforce Wellness provides area industries and businesses with wellness and educational programs to assist employees in adopting healthier lifestyles, adopting safer work habits and controlling health risks at the work-site. The program also teaches employers how to control or reduce workers' compensation costs and evaluate an applicant's physical and mental condition relating to specific job qualifications.

Workforce Wellness Clinic is a full-scale health clinic that provides a variety of special services customized to meet your healthcare needs both as a business and as a patient.

Clinic services

  • Physicals (including DOT* and executive physicals)
  • Audiograms
  • Pulmonary function training
  • Fit testing
  • Drug screens (including breath alcohol testing) urgent care and minor emergencies
  • Private patients with appointments
  • On-site provider arrangements

On-site services at your place of business

Workforce Wellness can provide your business with on-site services such as:

  • Blood pressure screenings
  • Diabetes screenings
  • Vision screenings
  • Cholesterol screenings
  • Nutrition screenings/education
  • Flu vaccinations
  • Cpr and first-aid training
  • Back injury prevention
  • Pulmonary function testing
  • Annual physical exams
  • Audiograms/vision acuity
  • Drug screens/breath alcohol testing
  • Hepatitis vaccinations
  • Respiratory fit testing

When needed, Workforce Wellness works collaboratively with medical specialists and the Rehabilitation Department and the Pain Treatment Center to provide you and your employees with high-quality, comprehensive care.

Getting your DOT physical has never been easier. Time is precious. We don't want to waste yours. Here's what to expect from our clinicians during your DOT physical exam:

Step 1

Schedule your appointment or simply walk into our Workforce Wellness clinic. In either case, please review the list of following items to bring that may be helpful:

  • Glasses if vision requires a prescription
  • Last MER Card
  • List of medications with dosages and your prescriber's name and address
  • Yearly clearance letter from Cardiologist or for other chronic conditions may be required before clearance
  • C-PAP Usage Report if you have sleep apnea
  • Hearing aid if used

Step 2

Get your physical. We will perform an examination, including:

  • Health history review
  • A thorough physical exam
  • A urine test

Step 3

We'll complete the Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination form and its supporting documentation, including DOT physical forms. You must pass all DOT physical requirements in order to be cleared for your CDL medical card. Find out more about important DOT physical regulations to be aware of.

Insurance does not cover this exam; some employers may pay for this exam.
 

Convenient parking for patients and visitors is available in the designated visitor lot located outside the Ambulatory Care Center on 18th Avenue. To access the main hospital from the parking area, please proceed to the second floor of the Ambulatory Care Center and use the crossover.

Ochsner Specialty Hospital
Monday-Sunday, 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Ochsner Rush Ambulatory Care Center 
Monday-Friday, 5:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ochsner Rush Medical Group
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ochsner Rush Imaging Center
Monday-Friday, 6:45 a.m.-5 p.m.

Emergency Department
After hours and weekend entrance to Ochsner Rush Medical Center

Need assistance? Ochsner Rush Health Golf Cart Shuttle Service is available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Call 601-703-4239.

We invite you to dine at the Window Seat Cafeteria, located on the third floor of the Ochsner Rush Ambulatory Care Center. Meal service times are as follows:

  • Breakfast: 6:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. (Grill only on Saturday and Sunday)
  • Lunch: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Grill only on Saturday and Sunday)
  • Dinner: 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Complimentary trays are available for one family member staying with a child under 12. Guest trays can be delivered to patient rooms when necessary. Special meal arrangements must be approved by a registered nurse or dietitian and paid for in advance.

Menu selections

Starting on the second day of your stay, you may choose menu items tailored to your nutritional needs. A hospitality assistant will help with your dietary selections. For questions about your dietary needs, call 601-703-9634.

For a quick snack, vending machines are available 24/7 on the first floor across from the gift shop and on the second floor near the hospital entrance from the Ochsner Rush Ambulatory Care Center.

Together we can make our facilities a secure environment. If you see a problem, notify Security at 601-703-4239.

You can do your part by implementing the following crime prevention strategies:

Inside Ochsner Rush Health

  • Report suspicious activity immediately to security at 4239.
  • Do not leave your personal valuables unsecured. If at all possible, do not bring large sums of money or credit cards into the institutions. If this is necessary, keep them on your person at all times. Keep your property with you or under the care of a family member while you are a patient or visitor in the hospital.
  • When removing property from the Hospital, have your supervisor notify Security. All packages, bags, boxes, etc. are subject to inspection by Security when leaving the Hospital.

Outside Ochsner Rush Health

  • Do not leave anything that appears to be of value visibly displayed in your vehicle. If you have a vehicle anti-theft device such as The Club or a car alarm, use it.
  • Stay alert to your surroundings. If you are walking to your car, watch people as they approach you. If you feel uncomfortable, walk across the street. Try to walk in a confident, relaxed manner. Make brief eye contact when approaching strangers.
  • Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, seek help. Know the location of safe havens in your route of travel.
  • If you would like an escort to your vehicle, call security dispatch at 4239 and wait for the officer to arrive.

The mission of the Pastoral Care Department of Ochsner Rush Health is to promote spiritual health and healing through spiritual/pastoral care and support.

Our professionally trained chaplain is available to serve the whole person, body, mind and spirit, by addressing the individual needs of patients, family members, employees and volunteers.

Ask to see a chaplain when you:

  • Would like someone to pray with you or for you
  • Experience anxiety or fear about your situation
  • Experience difficulty sorting out your feelings
  • Receive upsetting news
  • Are faced with a difficult situation
  • Experience grief over a death or loss of capacity
  • Have a spiritual question
  • Wish to receive anointing of oil or the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

What we offer

  • Spiritual and emotional support for patients, family members and employees
  • Compassionate and attentive listening
  • Support as you cope with illness, new diagnosis, chronic and long-term illness, life situation
  • A loving and considerate presence
  • Prayer

How we service

  • Room visits
  • Chaplain office visits
  • Contact with your clergy of your faith tradition at your request

Pastoral care volunteers

Pastoral care volunteers offer an open ear and caring presence. They are here to offer you support and information services.

The chaplain and pastoral care volunteers, together with your healthcare team, offer comfort, regardless of belief systems, traditions, ethnicity or values, and are respectful of cultural, religious or nonreligious traditions. We can also assist you by contacting clergy of your faith tradition on your behalf.

How to reach us

You can reach the Pastoral Care Department at 601-703-9978, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

  • If you are a clinic patient, you can call the chaplain’s office at 601-703-9978.
  • If you are a hospital patient, tell your nurse that you would like to see a chaplain. Since the chaplain is most often found making visits throughout the hospital, your nurse may be the quickest way to contact us on your behalf. Or call extension 9978 and leave a message.

After hours and on weekends, the chaplain is not on-site but is on-call and available for emergency situations. Ask your nurse to contact us.

If you need a prescription refill, please call your pharmacy to request it. If your pharmacist has any questions, they will contact Ochsner. Make sure the pharmacy sends your refill request to Ochsner at least three to five working days before you run out of your medication. If we don't get the notice in time, we can't promise your refill will be ready before you use up your current supply.

Unless otherwise directed by your doctor or provider, please call Ochsner On Call, our 24/7 nurse care advice line at 1-800-231-5257, for guidance regarding your symptoms. For emergencies, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.

Registered nurses at the Ochsner On Call Center can help determine how soon you should be seen and recommend the best care options for your symptoms.

FAQs

We operate a Level III Trauma Center within our emergency department, which is staffed by physicians 24 hours a day to provide prompt and effective care for traumatic injuries.

Yes, our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a 12-bed unit dedicated to providing a special quality of care for premature infants and newborns with high-risk health conditions.

Our award-winning rehabilitation services include cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, aquatic therapy and a reading clinic to support a wide range of recovery needs.

Visitors should park in the visitor lot located outside the Ambulatory Care Center on 18th Avenue. You can reach the main hospital by crossing over from the second floor of the Ambulatory Care Center.

Our Cardiology Department offers a full range of cardiac care, from prevention and detection to treatment. We use an array of noninvasive testing procedures, including treadmills, nuclear medicine, echocardiography and pacemaker evaluations.

Yes, we have a Senior Care Intensive Outpatient Program specifically designed to address the health and wellness needs of older adults.