Delta Health System Year in Review

Iris Stacker, Chief Executive Officer

2024 Delta Health System Year in Review

The Delta Health System Strategic Goal is to serve more communities and patients throughout the Delta. In 2024, we made considerable progress toward this goal, gaining traction and laying the groundwork for continued growth. I am incredibly proud of our team and all they have accomplished and am excited for what the future holds in 2025.

Grow Primary Care Throughout the Delta

This year, Delta Health System was awarded grants to enhance healthcare services including pre-natal care for women, providing doula training within the community, and expanding our family medicine residency program. Additionally, The Medical Center introduced a new service line: Podiatry.

Collaborate with Other Delta Healthcare Entities to Stabilize, Identify, and Enhance Services in our Region

Delta Health System increased partnerships and collaborations with various health entities in the Delta to increase primary care training, community education, and workforce development. These partnerships include Delta Health Center, Aaron E. Henry, South Sunflower County Hospital, and Delta Compass.

Accelerate Community Engagement with Focus on Education and Transparency

This year, Delta Health System collaborated with area school systems, WWISCAA, and South Delta Planning & Development District to educate our youth concerning healthcare and vocational careers and to encourage them to return back to the Delta for employment opportunities.

Utilize Infrastructure, Technology, & Technical Assistance Funding

Currently, technology is at the forefront of all businesses, including healthcare, and Delta Health System continues to move forward with items such as technical assistance funding for residency clinic renovations at the Main and West campuses, new gastroenterology, and podiatry equipment, as well as technical assistance for various hospital departments.

Employee Improvement, Recruitment, and Retention

The Delta Health System team enhanced employee satisfaction this year through many actions including a 3% wage increase for all full-time employees, reactivated employee’s retirement match, and initiated a phase in approach to increase the system minimum wage. The Board of Trustees approved the first phase resulting in an hourly employee minimum wage increase from $9.00 to $12.00 starting January 2025.

Nursing, Commitment to Excellence, & Quality Initiatives

Our healthcare team takes pride in their roles and is always looking for more ways to increase patient care initiatives and quality measures. Last year, it was no different with new implementations to improve safety measures, decrease Emergency Room wait times, and stabilize staffing.

Financial Performance

During the past few years, Delta Health System has experienced financial issues. 2024 produced a positive year end and is forecast to continue this trend due to team effort. Two points of interest in 2022, the system had 18 days cash on hand. At the end of 2024, there was 90 days cash on hand. Delta Health System improved its financial position, rebounding from a negative $29.5 million loss in 2022 to a positive $13.8 million earning in fiscal year 2024.

2024 Awards

The Delta Health System team is dedicated to their patients, families, and the community. You will see many of our employees volunteering their time and talents throughout Washington County and the Delta. The hospital and staff continue to receive recognition for their work. Some of the awards include:

• Delta Democrat Times Best of the Best Hospital, Physician - Dr. Robert Corkern, and Nurse - Olivia Caldwell.
• Washington County Economic Alliance Businesswoman of the Year was awarded to Iris Stacker.
• Mississippi Hospital Association Society for Healthcare Engineers & Facility Managers Emerging Leader Award - Paul Cordell.

As we close out another year, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to every member of our hospital family for their unwavering dedication and compassion. From the Board of Trustees and the medical staff to the frontline caregivers and the support staff who ensure everything runs smoothly, each member of our team has played a vital role in fulfilling our mission of delivering quality healthcare. Their commitment to excellence and teamwork have been the reason for our success. Together, we are making a meaningful impact on our community, and I couldn't be prouder of what we have achieved.