University of Mississippi Medical Center expanding healthcare access with new Ridgeland campus

The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) is expanding healthcare access in the Jackson metropolitan area with the phased opening of a new outpatient facility, Colony Park North, in Ridgeland. This 131,000-square-foot campus represents a significant investment in convenient, specialized care for residents.

Expanding Specialty Care Options

Colony Park North, located off Interstate 55 near Renaissance at Colony Park, is designed to improve access to specialty surgical care. The campus includes a medical office building, an ambulatory surgery facility, advanced imaging services and dedicated education space. It builds upon the launch of Colony Park South, which began serving patients last year.

Did You Know? The new facility features six operating rooms and two procedure rooms dedicated to same-day surgical care.

A Shift Towards Outpatient Focus

Dr. Alan Jones, UMMC’s associate vice chancellor for health affairs, emphasized the importance of delivering “the right care in the right setting.” The move to a dedicated outpatient facility is intended to improve scheduling, reduce patient wait times, and enhance the overall experience for patients and their families. This shift also allows the main hospital to concentrate on complex and emergency medical needs.

The facility is designed for patient convenience, featuring a central lobby with a covered drop-off area and a shuttle bus stop connecting to UMMC’s main medical center in Jackson. The two-wing building houses the ambulatory surgery facility and a three-story medical office building.

Comprehensive Services Available

Colony Park North offers a wide range of diagnostic imaging services, including MRI, PET, CT, X-ray, and ultrasound. This allows patients to complete consultations, testing, and procedures at a single location. Specialties currently offered include cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, dermatology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology, and plastic surgery.

Expert Insight: By strategically locating specialized outpatient services closer to where patients live, UMMC is responding to a growing demand for accessible and convenient healthcare. This model could potentially reduce the burden on the main hospital and improve patient satisfaction.

Cardiology services began on Tuesday, with orthopaedic and plastic surgery clinics scheduled to open on February 23rd. Additional clinics, including ophthalmology, gastroenterology, dermatology, and otolaryngology, are expected to begin seeing patients in April.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of surgical care will be offered at Colony Park North?

The ambulatory surgery facility supports a wide range of same-day surgical care, utilizing six operating rooms and two procedure rooms.

What imaging services are available at the new facility?

Colony Park North provides diagnostic imaging capabilities, including MRI, PET, CT, X-ray, and ultrasound.

Which specialties are currently seeing patients at Colony Park North?

Cardiology services began on Tuesday. Orthopaedic and plastic surgery clinics will follow on February 23rd, and ophthalmology, gastroenterology, dermatology, and otolaryngology are expected to begin seeing patients in April.

How might this expansion impact healthcare access for residents of the Jackson metro area?