Compared to other states, Mississippi ranks at the bottom of mosts lists concerning health issues and access to health care. Mississippians are also faced with another serious problem: the closure of hospitals.
Mississippi Today photographed shuttered hospitals across the state as more and more are closing due to rising cost within the industry. Currently, four hospitals have closed in Mississippi since 2005. Dozens more are expected, according to top health officials in the state.
Patient’s Choice Medical Center of Humphreys County in Belzoni., Miss., Wednesday, November 9, 2022. The rural hospital closed in August 2013. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Patient’s Choice Medical Center of Humphreys County in Belzoni., Miss., Wednesday, November 9, 2022. The rural hospital closed in August 2013. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
A sign directing to the emergency room at Patient’s Choice Medical Center of Humphreys County in Belzoni., Miss., Wednesday, November 9, 2022. The rural hospital closed in August 2013. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Kings Daughters Hospital in Greenville, Miss., Wednesday, November 9, 2022. The hospital closed in March 2005. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
A historical marker for the Kings Daughters Hospital in Greenville, Miss., Wednesday, November 9, 2022. The hospital closed in March 2005. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Pioneer Community Hospital of Newton on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. The hospital closed in December 2015. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Merit Health Natchez-community Campus in Natchez, Miss., Friday, November 11, 2022. The hospital closed in November 2005. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Kilmichael Hospital in Kilmichael, Miss., Thursday, November 10, 2022. The hospital closed in January 2015. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Clarification 11/21/22: Mississippi Today used the Cecil C. Sheps Center for Health Services Research to identify closed hospitals in Mississippi, Natchez Community Hospital included. While the Natchez Community Hospital’s building is no longer in use, it consolidated with the Natchez Regional Medical Center to become the combined Merit Health Natchez in November 2015.
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Photo Essay: Mississippi’s closed hospitals
by Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today November 20, 2022
Eric J. Shelton was a 2018 corps member in Report for America, and joined the team as our first photojournalist. A native of Columbia, Miss., Eric earned his bachelor’s in photojournalism from the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a multimedia journalist for Abilene Reporter-News, chief photographer for the Hattiesburg American and photo editor for the Killeen Daily Herald before joining our team June 2018. He rejoined Mississippi Today as our health photojournalist in January 2022.