Ochsner Rush Medical Center represents the rare combination of deep community roots and major health system resources. Founded more than 100 years ago as Rush Health Systems, this 215-bed acute care hospital merged with Ochsner Health in August 2022, bringing the backing of Louisiana's largest nonprofit health system to East Mississippi and West Alabama. You will practice in a facility that commands 68.3% inpatient market share in its service area, a dominance that reflects both the community's trust and the absence of meaningful local competition for comprehensive medical services.
The hospital sits at 1314 19th Avenue in the heart of Meridian, Mississippi, serving as the flagship of a seven-hospital regional network that includes more than 30 clinics. Walking through the facility, you will find a hospital that has invested consistently in modern capabilities while maintaining the approachable, collegial atmosphere that characterizes community medicine at its best. The 191,000-square-foot campus provides the infrastructure for full-spectrum care without the bureaucratic complexity of major academic centers.
Ochsner Rush Medical Center provides the surgical infrastructure and specialty support that allows urologists to practice the full scope of their training. The facility operates modern surgical suites with robotic capabilities, and general surgery colleagues are available when complex cases require multidisciplinary support. Your urological procedures will be supported by experienced OR staff, surgical technicians, and first-assist coverage.
The hospital's service lines create natural referral relationships that benefit a urology practice. Primary care physicians throughout the network identify urological conditions requiring specialist evaluation, and specialists in related fields manage patients with comorbidities that affect urological care.
The 2022 merger with Ochsner Health transformed what was already a strong regional hospital into a facility with access to the resources of Louisiana's dominant health system. Ochsner Health operates 40 hospitals and more than 300 health and urgent care centers, employs over 34,000 people, and maintains more than 4,500 physicians across 90 specialties. The system leads nationally in cancer care, cardiology, neurosciences, and transplant services.
For you as a practicing urologist, this affiliation means access to subspecialty consultation when complex cases arise, participation in Ochsner's clinical research network if academic pursuits interest you, and the backing of a financially stable nonprofit organization committed to the region for the long term.
The hospital operates under local leadership that understands community needs while leveraging system resources. CEO Larkin Kennedy leads the organization with a focus on expanding access to specialty care while maintaining the personal relationships that define community hospital practice. The medical staff includes both employed and independent physicians, preserving the professional autonomy that many physicians value.
Ochsner Rush Health facilities have earned recognition for clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. The system's wound care programs achieved RestorixHealth Clinical Distinction Awards for exceeding 90% healing rates and Patient Satisfaction Awards for achieving 96%+ satisfaction scores. The DNV accreditation confirms the hospital meets rigorous quality and patient safety standards.
The hospital serves a catchment area of approximately 400,000 patients across East Mississippi and West Alabama. This population includes a significant Medicare component (approximately 50% of revenue) reflecting the region's demographics and the chronic disease burden common in the Deep South. The payor mix provides stable reimbursement while the underserved nature of the population means patients who genuinely need your services and appreciate the care they receive.
As the dominant healthcare provider in the region, Ochsner Rush Medical Center offers a urologist the opportunity to build a meaningful practice serving a community that depends on your presence for access to specialty care they would otherwise need to travel hours to receive.