MEET
DOCTORS & HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
Meet The DOCTORS & HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
A PUBLICATION OF THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT
This publication aims to help patients feel more at ease by getting to know their providers on a human level beyond just medical expertise. In a relaxed, conversational style, each feature showcases their credentials and specialties and personal details like hobbies, interests, and reasons for choosing healthcare as a profession. This fosters a sense of connection, making patients feel more comfortable when they step into an appointment. Whether you're a new patient or a long-time visitor, "Meet the Doctor and Healthcare Professionals" helps demystify the healthcare experience, transforming the typical doctor-patient relationship into one that feels more like a partnership based on mutual understanding and trust.
Meet the Doctors & Healthcare Professionals is published annually by Natchez Newspapers, Inc., 503 N. Canal St., Natchez, MS 39120. All contents herein are the sole property of Natchez Newspapers, Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher Copyright 2025 by Natchez Newspapers, Inc. .
TRINITY MEDICAL CENTER
EMERGENCY SERVICES, OUTPATIENT SURGERY. DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES
TRINITY MEDICAL CENTER
Trinity Medical would like to say “thank you” to our patients and their family members for trusting us with their healthcare needs.
We are dedicated to provid ing excellent healthcare to the people we serve.
Over the last couple of years, we have continued to add more services and pro viders to our TEAM.
One area in particular is our Outpatient Surgery Depart ment. We have been blessed to have some great Specialty Physicians travel to our hos pital several times a month to see patients in our clinic as well as perform elective procedures in our Surgery Department.
This model has worked great for our hospital and the patients of our
for everyone in this community. We will strive to recruit more specialists as well as continue to add more services throughout the year.
Our goal is to continue to find ways to keep our patients in the community they live in.
With all the great things that Trinity has done over the years, it is truly paying off.
Trinity Medical has won “Best of Miss-Lou” for the last 4 years straight, 2021 - 2024.
We were the recipient of the Concordia Parish Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Business of the Year.
We were very honored and appreciative of these awards. It is because of our wonderful staff, physicians and board, that this is possible.
We look forward to continuing to provide quality care and compassionate service to all our patients and their loved ones.
CHARLES BORUM, MD
FAMILY MEDICINE
BORUM FAMILY HEALTH CLINIC
Board-certified physician Charles Borum, MD, is the highly dedicated and experienced family medicine doctor at Borum Family Health Clinic in Natchez, Mississippi.
Dr. Borum takes a caring and personalized approach to wellness exams and whole-body care for all ages, including treatment for arthritis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, skin problems, respiratory infections, and virtually all other health needs for children and adults.
Dr. Borum earned his medical degree at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi.
He completed his residency at the University of Oklahoma at Tulsa School of Medicine in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Dr. Borum is certified by the American
Board of Family Practice and the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. He’s a member of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Southern Medical Association, and Southern Association for Primary Care.
Dr. Borum is a staff member at Merit Hospital in Natchez.
Because of his emphasis on working with patients, rather than working on them, Dr. Borum encourages a health and wellness partnership where patients feel free to ask questions, discuss concerns, and voice their ideas.
Patients at Borum Family Health Clinic love the comfortable environment and Dr. Borum’s welcoming and warm attitude. He’s here to be the primary care provider for the whole family, for a lifetime.
FIELD HEALTH SYSTEM
Comprehensive Care
FIELD HEALTH SYSTEM
Almost a century ago, the rural Mississippi town of Centreville started to grow into the principal point on the railroad line between Baton Rouge and Vicksburg. Family physicians like doctors C.E. Catchings, H.L. Lewis, W.I. Marsalis, and William T. Thornhill were making house calls in horse-drawn buggies, as they forged a local health care tradition we take pride in today.
In the early 1920s, young Dr. Richard Jennings Field returned home to Centreville to practice medicine in an office over the old Centreville Drug Store on Main Street. Within a few years, his brother Dr. Samuel E. Field returned from Florida and joined him in the bustling clinic, while over in Woodville, Dr. Charles Catchings, Jr. came home to care for his late father’s patients. The smell of alcohol and ether drifted from
the windows of medical clinics in this area’s townships, unassuming locations next to drugstores and dispensaries with beds where patients recovered from minor surgery or stayed for observation.
This is when the dream of a community hospital became reality. The Field brothers secured a personal loan for $50,000 to build a 35-bed hospital, a larger clinic, and a resident school for nurses. The twostory, stucco structure, called the Field Hospital and Clinic, dedicated 75 years ago, in March of 1928, opened its doors to patients of all the area’s physicians and began its heritage as the cornerstone of this community.
In 1951, doctors Jennings and Sam Field requested funds from the Mississippi Commission on Hospital Care for an additional 25 beds. The commission, recognizing the
medical need that Field Hospital had only begun to meet, decided that a new facility was necessary. The state issued bonds that year, and Wilkinson and Amite Counties constructed a 52-bed facility as a joint venture.
The old hospital and clinic were sold to the two counties, the Fields donated the surrounding grounds, and the new hospital was joined to the original structure. Field Memorial Community Hospital was dedicated in March of 1952, and was now owned by the two counties’ citizens.
In October 2015, a brand new state of the art facility was built along with a new name. Field Health System continues to be one of the most progressive and well-equipped rural hospitals in the state, continuing the legacy of high-quality medical care first conceived here so many years ago.
JOHN WHITE, MD, FACS
Following completion of his residency, Dr. White was appointed to the faculty at Tulane where he taught for 5 years and continues to hold a position as Clinical Associate Professor of Otolaryngology.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
River Ridge Behavioral Health Services provides services in Adams, Claiborne, Jefferson, Wilkinson, Warren and Yazoo countieses.
Adult services provided include, Shared Supported Living, Consultation and Education, Emergency/Crisis Response, Inpatient Referral Services, Intensive Community Support Services (ICSS), Peer Support, Psychiatric/Physician Services, Pre-Evaluation Screening for Civil Commitment, Programs of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT), Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Senior Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Supervised Living,
Supported Living, Targeted Case Management, Outpatient Services, Supported Employment and Adult Map Team.s
Child Services include Shared Supported Living, Day Treatment, Emergency/Crisis Response, Family Support and Education, Intensive Crisis Intervention for CY, Making A Plan (MAP) Teams, Psychiatric/Physician Services, Pre-Evaluation Screening for Civil Commitment, Targeted Case Management and Outpatient Services.
Mobile Crisis Response Teams are available in all 82 counties in Mississippi 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
SUMMER THOMPSON, PT
Physical Therapy
MISS-LOU PHYSICAL THERAPY
Where did you receive your degree/training?
University of Alabama at Birmingham.
What inspired your medical career?
Growing up in the PT clinic and performing every task the job had to offer. Also, seeing people’s lives changed.
What is important for people to know about their health from your perspective?
That they are in control and should learn how to advocate for their best care. When it comes to health care, what is one thing you wish patients/the public knew or did?
We scale exercise to fit the human in front of us. Preparing humans to meet the demands in front of them and to avoid daily tasks ever becoming a struggle. We treat weakness so patients can keep their functional independence. PT is not only healing the hurt or sick.
SHELBY WOODRUFF, PT
Where did you receive your degree/training?
South College, Knoxville, TN
What inspired your medical career?
I had an injury my senior year of high school that required physical therapy. Although the injury was unfortunate, it led me to experience physical therapy first hand and I was able to picture myself as a physical therapist
Where did you receive your degree/training?
University of Mississippi Medical Center.
What inspired your medical career?
From a very young age, I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to improve the lives of others (as vague as that sounds.) I credit local occupational therapist Cathy Roboski with introducing me to the field of OT when I was in high school. The idea of using a holistic approach to help individuals of all ages achieve a higher level of wellness and independence sounded extremely gratifying.
What advice do you have for the community?
Let’s get moving! Our society has become very sedentary, which we know leads to a plethora of physical and cognitive issues. I would encourage everyone to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine.
Physical Therapy
in the future. I admired the way the therapist not only cared about my injury and progression, but also built a relationship with me and cared for me holistically. What is important for people to know about their health from your perspective?
That movement and exercise play a significant role in a person’s overall wellbeing; physically, mentally, and emotionally. Although it is important to participate in physical therapy after an injury to restore function, it is just as important to be educated and taught how to move your body well for continued improvement of the overall quality of life.
MISS-LOU PHYSICAL THERAPY
ASSISTED LIVING SERVICES
BEEHIVE HOMES OF NATCHEZ
With almost 33 years of experience and over 200 locations, BeeHive Homes is a leader in the assisted living and memory care services. BeeHive Homes is a senior living home in a residential setting. Uniquely designed, our senior living services offer residents more access to personal care.
By keeping our homes smaller with professional, skilled caregivers, our residents can have their needs addressed personally.
We truly believe that in order to provide the very best care for our residents, we must get to know them well
KELLEN JEX, MD Gastroenterology
MISS-LOU GI
Combining excellent training with a compassionate approach, Kellen Jex, MD, takes a special clinical interest in colon cancer screenings, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver diseases, esophageal disorders, gallbladder and bile duct disorders, endoscopy, colonoscopy, and much more.
Dr. Jex earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Mississippi in Oxford and completed medical school and residency at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, serving for a year as chief medical resident. Dr. Jex moved to Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, where he was
and discover what their individual needs are–and that’s exactly what we do.
Residents enjoy private rooms, delicious meanls, 24-hour staffing and daily housekeeping and laundry services.
Additional services include life-enrichment activites, weekly housekeeping, public wi-fi, an in-house hair and nail salon as well a secure outdoor courtyard.
Rooms are available for single residents or couples, and each BeeHive Home has a consulting Nurse available 24 – 7. if nursing services are needed.
a clinical fellow in the division of gastroenterology. He is Board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.
Dr. Jex has earned numerous awards and distinctions, including being named Resident of the Year two years in a row, the LSU Outstanding Fellow of the Year two years in a row, the Arnold P. Goldman Humanism in Medicine Award, and the Carl G. Evers Society M4 All-Star Resident.
GREG COTTER, MD
Radiation Oncology
MARY BIRD PERKINS CENTER
Where did you receive your degree/training?
Washington University, St. Louis, MO
What inspired your medical career?
Many things inspired my decision to become a Doctor. My father was a surgeon and I saw him helping people and our community. What values guide your practice and patient care?
We are all human and everyone will need medical care during their lives. Be kind, listen and see how you can help people.
What is important for people to know about their health from your perspective?
About 1 in 3 people develop cancer in their lifetime. Early detection often makes a difference in treatment options.
When it comes to health care, what is one thing you wish patients/the public knew or did?
Be aware of the causes of cancer. See your Primary
care provider if you notice abnormalities in your body. Get screened for common cancers.
What advice do you have for the Miss-Lou community?
Think about what is needed for a healthy community from prevention to treatment and support activities that improve life. Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers about you, your practice or health care in general?
Radiation Oncology is an important part of treatment for many cancers. We are fortunate to have good Oncology here in Natchez and surrounding areas.
Where did you receive your degree/training?
Northwestern State University.
What inspired your medical career?
I grew up always being inspired to help others. In my teenage years, I helped care for my grandfather, who had diabetes. As a young teen I learned how to administer his insulin, check his blood sug-
CHRISTINA WHITE, FNP
Family Nurse Practitoner
ar, and provide other medical care for him. I loved being able to help him feel better and knew that I wanted to go on to a career in healthcare at that point.
What values guide your practice and patient care?
Education and respect are mainstays in my treatment approach. I always take the time to explain in detail the patient’s diagnosis and the treatment plan. I also like to explain why it is treated this way.
Walking in and telling a patient a diagnosis without making sure they understand it is not good patient care. Patients need to understand their diagnoses, medications,
treatment plans, and follow up care. I always give the patient an opportunity to ask more questions before I leave the room. I also feel that mutual respect between the provider and the patient is very important. The provider needs to take the time to listen to the patient’s complaints and concerns. What is important for people to know about their health from your perspective?
Prevention is key! So many diseases can be prevented or cured with early detection. All patients should be getting yearly check ups and those of age for screening tests such as mammograms, pap
smears, and colonoscopies need to be staying up to date with those.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers about you, your practice or health care in general?
At Total Urgent Care we strive to provide the best care to our patients while also providing the most appropriate care for their illness. Each patient’s treatment is individualized and tailored to their specific needs. If you are sick and unable to see your regular provider, come see us at Total Urgent Care. No appointment necessary and we are open 7
