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

06/09/2026

A first responder in Madison is urging residents to take precautions when powering up their generators this year to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

FULL STORY: https://fox40jackson.com/madison-first-responder-urges-caution-when-using-gas-generators/

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.