News
At Magnolia Regional Health Center, our mission has always been simple: provide exceptional care close to home. One of the ways we fulfill that mission is through our robust medical education programs, which allow us to care for patients today while preparing outstanding physicians for the future.
You may notice resident physicians and fellows working alongside our attending doctors in the hospital and in our clinics. We want our community to feel confident and informed about who is providing their care—and why having physicians in training is a strength of our healthcare system.
What Is a Resident Physician or Fellow?
Resident physicians and fellows are medical doctors who have completed medical school and earned their MD or DO degree. Residents are continuing their training in a specific specialty through a residency program, while fellows have completed a residency and are pursuing advanced training in a subspecialty, such as cardiology.
At Magnolia Regional Health Center, these physicians are not practicing alone. They work under the close supervision of experienced, board-certified attending physicians who oversee every aspect of patient care. This team-based approach ensures patients receive safe, high-quality, evidence-based care at all times.
Our Residency and Fellowship Programs
Magnolia Regional Health Center is proud to offer advanced medical training through:
- Internal Medicine Residency Program
- Emergency Medicine Residency Program
- Cardiology Fellowship Program
Each program is designed to combine hands-on clinical experience with close physician mentorship, continuous evaluation, and the latest medical standards.
Internal Medicine Program Director, John Peyton Preece, D.O. FACOI, FACP says, “Our community based Internal Medicine residency delivers rigorous, hands-on clinical training through progressive autonomy, emphasizing bedside decision making and procedural excellence. Through robust scholarly activity, dedicated mentorship, and strong camaraderie, we prepare confident, compassionate physicians ready to lead in any practice setting.”
“In Corinth, Mississippi, we have the patient volume, systems, and faculty to provide outstanding emergency medicine training as the regional hub for North Mississippi. Our residents care for a population of more than 100,000 people, gaining high-volume experience, leading resuscitations, and training in an efficient, supportive environment. With nationally recognized faculty leadership and the right balance of acuity and responsibility, we deliver exceptional emergency medicine training while living and serving in a rural community.” Says Emergency Medicine Chair and Program Director, Steven T. Haywood, MD, RRT, FACEP.
“Our cardiology fellows are highly trained physicians who bring advanced knowledge and specialized skills to the patients we serve, working under the close supervision of our experienced cardiologists. Having this level of expertise within our hospital strengthens the quality of heart care available to our entire community. It is also beneficial to faculty as it keeps us up to date on the most cutting edge treatments,” says Paul Volanksy, DO, Cardiology Fellowship Program Director.
Why Training Doctors Matters to Patient Care
The best doctors don’t learn medicine from textbooks alone—they learn by caring for real patients, in real situations, with expert guidance. Residency and fellowship programs are a critical part of that journey.
Because physicians in training are actively learning, they:
- Take extra time to review cases thoroughly
- Stay up to date on the latest medical research
- Collaborate closely with supervising physicians
- Approach patient care with curiosity, compassion, and attention to detail
This layered model of care—physicians in training working alongside seasoned doctors—means patients benefit from multiple levels of expertise focused on their health.
Your Care Comes First
Patients at Magnolia Regional Health Center can feel confident knowing they are receiving the best care possible. Every diagnosis, treatment plan, and medical decision is carefully reviewed and guided by experienced physicians who are committed to patient safety and clinical excellence.
By welcoming residents and fellows into our hospital and clinics, we are not only meeting today’s healthcare needs—we are investing in the future of medicine and ensuring our community will continue to have skilled, compassionate doctors for years to come.
Committed to Our Community and the Future
At Magnolia Regional Health Center, teaching and healing go hand in hand. We are proud to serve as a training ground for future physicians while continuing to deliver the high-quality care our patients expect and deserve.
Corinth, MS — Magnolia Regional Health Center (MRHC) has received a “B” grade in the newly released 2025 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to patient safety, quality care, and continuous improvement.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade—assigned twice each year—is a nationally recognized measure of how well hospitals protect patients from preventable harm, medical errors, and infections. Receiving a “B” for 2025 places MRHC above average nationwide and highlights significant progress in key areas of patient safety.
Continuing a Commitment to Excellence
Hospital leadership emphasized that while the “B” grade is an achievement worth acknowledging, the work does not end here.
“We are proud of the strides we have made and grateful for the hard work of our physicians, nurses, and staff,” said Jim Hobson, MRHC CEO. “Patient safety is at the heart of everything we do, and this year’s Leapfrog grade reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to our community.”
Over the past year, Magnolia Regional Health Center has strengthened several safety-focused initiatives, including:
- Improved infection prevention protocols
- Enhanced medication safety checks
- Expanded clinical training and simulation programs
- Increased patient communication and education efforts
These improvements reflect MRHC’s dedication to creating a safe, healing environment for every patient.
Looking Ahead: Building Toward an “A”
While proud of its progress, MRHC is using this year’s results as motivation to continue elevating standards and reaching for an “A” grade. Teams across the hospital are already reviewing the latest Leapfrog data to identify opportunities for additional safety enhancements.
“The Leapfrog evaluation is an important tool that helps us measure our performance against national standards,” added Dr. Gilmore, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Chief Medical Officer at MRHC . “We value transparency and accountability, and we’re committed to making ongoing improvements that benefit the patients and families we serve.”
A Message to the Community
Magnolia Regional Health Center extends heartfelt thanks to its patients and community members for their continued trust and support. The hospital remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and patient-centered care—today and every day.
For more information on MRHC’s quality and safety initiatives, community members are encouraged to visit the hospital’s website or follow updates on its official social media channels.
Corinth, Miss. – August 25, 2025 – Magnolia Regional Health Center (MRHC) was honored as the Overall Top Performer in the Comprehensive Quality Model (CQM) program at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi’s Third Annual Quality Forum, held on Friday, August 22, 2025 in Flowood, Mississippi.
The annual forum brought together leading hospitals from across the state to share best practices, discuss challenges, and explore new solutions to advance the quality of patient care. MRHC was recognized for its outstanding performance and ongoing commitment to improving safety, efficiency, and patient outcomes through collaboration and innovation.
During the event, MRHC representatives participated in discussions focused on building high-performing healthcare teams and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. A key emphasis was placed on enhancing maternity care through multidisciplinary teamwork and evidence-based practices to safely reduce cesarean delivery births.
“We are honored to be recognized as the top performer in the Comprehensive Quality Model,” said Jim Hobson, Chief Executive Officer at Magnolia Regional Health Center. “This recognition reflects the dedication and teamwork of our physicians, nurses, and staff who deliver exceptional care every day. It also highlights the power of collaboration—both within our organization and across Mississippi’s healthcare community.”
The keynote address, delivered by John Murtha, Health Plan Executive Leader at InterSystems, emphasized the importance of real-time clinical data exchange between payers and providers to improve quality, efficiency, and patient satisfaction. His message underscored how shared data and collaboration can create safer, more compassionate, and more reliable care systems statewide.
The Comprehensive Quality Model (CQM) is a value-based performance framework developed by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. The program focuses on patient safety, adherence to evidence-based guidelines, effective health information management, and measurable improvements in patient outcomes. With 31 hospitals participating in the program, statewide progress has been noted in key areas such as sepsis management, maternity care, and cardiac care.
“We’re proud to see the positive impact that collaboration and data-driven improvement are having on patient outcomes across Mississippi,” said Dr. Lee Greer, Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. “Magnolia Regional Health Center’s success demonstrates what’s possible when hospitals commit to excellence and continuous improvement.”
As the state’s Overall Top Performer, MRHC continues to set the standard for healthcare quality and safety in Mississippi, reaffirming its commitment to providing exceptional, patient-centered care to the communities it serves.
About Magnolia Regional Health Center
Magnolia Regional Health Center (MRHC), located in Corinth, Mississippi, is a community-owned, not-for-profit healthcare system dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to patients across the region. MRHC offers comprehensive services including emergency care, women’s health, cardiac care, surgical services, and more—empowering patients to live healthier lives through excellence in medicine and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Magnolia Regional Health Center is proud to welcome Dana S. Murphy, MSN, RN, CENP, as our new Chief Nursing Officer. Dana joined the MRHC leadership team in July and brings with her a wealth of experience, a passion for patient care, and strong ties to our local community.
A native of the nearby Kossuth community, Dana is returning home after years of professional service across state lines. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama, Capstone College of Nursing, and went on to complete her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of South Alabama. Prior to joining MRHC, Dana served as Director of Patient Care Services for a hospital in Alabama, where she was known for her leadership and commitment to excellence in nursing.
Dana is married to Kossuth native Scott Murphy. Together, they have two children and are proud grandparents to one grandson—with twin grandchildren on the way in the new year. Outside of work, Dana enjoys reading, trying out new restaurants, and traveling to tropical destinations.
Please join us in giving Dana a warm welcome back to Corinth. We are excited for the future of nursing at MRHC under her leadership.
CORINTH, Miss. – Magnolia Regional Health Center (MRHC) is pleased to announce two key leadership appointments within its graduate medical education programs: Dr. Steven T. Haywood, MD, RRT, FACEP, has been named Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine and Program Director of the Emergency Medicine Residency, and Dr. Paul Volansky, DO, has been appointed Program Director of the Cardiology Fellowship Program.
Dr. Steven Haywood, Emergency Medicine
Dr. Haywood has served as a core faculty member and Simulation Director at MRHC since February 2022. He brings a diverse clinical and educational background to his new role, including prior experience as Assistant Program Director for the emergency medicine residency at Summa Health in Akron, Ohio.
A graduate of East Tennessee State University College of Medicine, Dr. Haywood completed his emergency medicine residency at the University of Tennessee, Erlanger in Chattanooga. He is a U.S. Army veteran and former respiratory therapist, with a strong commitment to rural healthcare, medical education, and physician advocacy.
Dr. Haywood is actively involved with the American College of Emergency Physicians, serving as Chair-Elect of the Rural Section and Vice Chair of the Communications Committee. He is also a nationally recognized educator, having delivered over 50 presentations at conferences across the country and contributing to various online education platforms, podcasts, and social media-based initiatives.
Dr. Paul Volansky, Cardiology
Dr. Volansky, who has been a part of Magnolia’s medical community for several years, now steps into the role of Program Director for the Cardiology Fellowship Program. He completed both his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at MRHC before returning full-time as a staff cardiologist in 2020.
Dr. Volansky earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. He also received additional training at MercyOne North Iowa.
With a strong background in clinical cardiology and graduate medical education, Dr. Volansky is well-positioned to lead and grow the cardiology fellowship program, mentoring fellows and advancing cardiovascular care in the region.
Leadership Committed to Education and Community
“These appointments reflect Magnolia’s deep commitment to clinical excellence, academic leadership, and expanding access to care in rural communities,” said Dr. James Gilmore, MD Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Chief Medical Officer at Magnolia Regional Health Center. “Dr. Haywood and Dr. Volansky are exceptional physicians and educators whose leadership will directly impact the quality of training and care we deliver.”
MRHC continues to expand its role as a hub for advanced medical education in Northeast Mississippi, supporting residents and fellows with experienced faculty, innovative training, and a community-focused mission.
For more information about Magnolia’s medical education programs, visit www.mrhc.org.
CORINTH, Miss. — Magnolia Regional Health Center (MRHC) has announced a new partnership with Lifeline Blood Services, marking a significant step forward in ensuring a reliable, local blood supply for patients in Corinth and surrounding communities.
Lifeline Blood Services, which has served West Tennessee for more than 75 years, is now expanding its mission to include MRHC as part of its growing service area. The organization will host regular mobile blood drives throughout the Corinth area and plans to launch expanded donor outreach efforts, local partnerships, and educational programs to promote the importance of blood donation.
“We are honored to welcome Magnolia Regional Health Center into the Lifeline service area,” said John Miller, CEO of Lifeline Blood Services. “This partnership allows us to further our mission of ensuring that every hospital and every patient has access to the blood products they need. Corinth and the surrounding communities can be proud that their donations will directly support their neighbors and loved ones.”
The new collaboration means a more responsive and streamlined blood supply system for MRHC — a development hospital officials say will positively impact patient care.
“We’re excited about this new chapter,” said Heather Mansel, BS, MLS (ASCP), MBA-HCA, Director of Laboratory Services at Magnolia Regional Health Center. “Partnering with Lifeline means a more streamlined, responsive blood supply for our hospital and ultimately better care for our patients. It also gives our local community a more personal connection to the donation process.”
Lifeline encourages all eligible individuals to participate in this life-saving effort. Blood donations collected through the new partnership will stay within the region, supporting patients locally and making every contribution more personal and impactful.
For more information or to schedule a donation, visit www.lifelinebloodserv.org or call 731-427-4431.