Community Activities in Mississippi

Mississippi Community Activities 2025

Panola County Diabetes Walk

The Mississippi Core of the RURAL Study partnered with local Community Engagement Consultants, the Panola County Community Advisory Board, and the Allied Health Department at North Panola High School to host the Panola County Diabetes Walk on November 15th. Approximately 30 participants joined the walk, where awards were given for top male and female finishers and most seasoned walkers, and all attendees received certificates and RURAL swag bags.

North Panola Health Science Instructor Ms. Vivien Burdette and students London Heard and Shakeria Sholar supported event coordination, and Ms. Anne Perry Smith and Dr. Sonja Fuqua joined the walk. Special thanks to Donny Butts for providing grilled food and DJ Jazzy Jeff for keeping the energy high. Pastor Darrell Dixon led the ribbon-cutting ceremony with youth participants, officially kicking off the walk—an event marked by great weather, community spirit, and strong local engagement. You can watch a video about the event on the Mississippi Core Facebook page here.

7th Grade Diabetes Education Health Fair

On November 14th, the Mississippi Core of the RURAL Study partnered with Partnership Middle School, Starkville Oktibbeha County School District, MSU’s Department of Health Professions, the Mississippi Department of Health, EAEOCS, the UMMC Resuscitation Training Core, and Baptist Memorial Hospital–Oktibbeha County to host a Diabetes Education Health Fair for over 200 seventh graders. Students rotated through five stations covering CPR, glucose monitoring, cardiac echo, diabetes-related organ health, and vaping prevention.
Dr. Fox and the RURAL Study team prepared the event the day before, with support from Local Community Engagement Consultant Yulanda Haddix, CAB member Lula Townsend, Project Manager Dr. Felicia Caples, and Outreach Specialist Abril Grant. Principal Josh Yeager played a key role in coordinating the fair.
UMMC medical students Monia Zein and Ta’Quoris Newsome conducted glucose screenings, while the UMMC Resuscitation Training Core provided CPR training throughout the day. Dr. Sue Simmons and cardiac sonographers Dustin Ussery and Karol Black taught students about heart ultrasound and how diabetes affects cardiac health. You can watch a video about the event on the Mississippi Core Facebook page here.

Sardis Day Event

The MS Core of the RURAL Study participated in the Sardis Day event in Panola County on Saturday, September 13th. The event was a great success! Joining the MS Core were volunteers from the North Panola Schools Allied Health program, Community Engagement Consultants, a UMMC Medical Student and RURAL Study CAB members who helped with registration and blood pressure screenings and the sharing of health information. Promotional information was shared for the ancillary Sleep and Stress Study and the MS Core provided an update on the upcoming Panola County databook. A flyer for the upcoming Batesville Diabetes Walk and Run event, and RURAL Study swag was passed out. Thanks to all of those involved.

Chadwick Lake Walk/Run

The RURAL study joined in the Chadwick Lake Walk/Run at the MSU campus on a foggy Saturday morning on August 30th. The successful event was hosted by the Austin Church of Christ Holiness USA. Also joining the effort were Mississippi State University Jackson Free Clinic Health Ambassadors August Jones and Sneha Cherukuri who helped with blood pressure screening and sharing important information on how to control blood pressure and the importance of blood pressure awareness. Promotional information and contact information for the ancillary Sleep and Stress Study were handed out, and many attendees expressed interest in participating. Information from the upcoming RURAL Study Databook for Oktibbeha County was shared as well. Several additional swag items were handed out in RURAL bags. Thanks to Ms. Betty Thomas, Ms. Ruthie Thomas, Rev. James Thomas, and Rev. Justin Isaac of Austin Church of Christ Holiness USA for inviting the Mississippi Core of the RURAL study community engagement team to partner with the church at their important event.

Oktibbeha County Walk and Run

On June 21st, Dr. Ervin Fox and the Mississippi Core of the RURAL Study partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority, OCH Regional Medical Center, and the StarkVegas Juneteenth Committee to host a successful Community Health Fair and Walk/Run in downtown Starkville, starting at the Needmore Center and ending at Unity Park. The event raised awareness about hypertension, heart disease, and stroke, with around 20 participants in the walk and over 30 others taking part in health screenings, including blood pressure and glucose checks. Educational materials were distributed on blood pressure control, hypertension, and related risks, along with gift bags containing RURAL Study updates, health tips, American Heart Association resources, and various giveaway items. Information on the RURAL Sleep and Stress ancillary study was also shared.

Bi-monthly Report

The Mississippi core distributed its Bi-monthly Report for May and June, which focused on Hypertension and Stroke in Men. This report has been shared with Community Advisory Board (CAB) members and posted on the MS Core’s social media platforms.

Juneteenth Celebration in Sardis, Mississippi (Panola County)

Last year, the Mississippi Core conducted nearly 100 blood pressure checks and anticipated similar success this year at their planned Juneteenth Celebration in Sardis, MS. The Mississippi Core conducted blood pressure screenings and Dr. Fox presented on the RURAL Study. In addition, attendees received educational flyers and information on sleep and stress management.

5K Walk/run Event in Oktibbeha County

In collaboration with the Oktibbeha County Hospital (OCH) Regional Medical Center and the Juneteenth Committee on Unity, the Mississippi core prepared to host a 5K walk/run event on June 21st. Dr. Ervin Fox spoke on the RURAL Study and engaged participants in discussions about the Sleep and Stress study. Informational flyers were distributed, and blook pressure screenings were made available at the event.

Juneteenth Celebration in Panola County

On June 7th, the Mississippi Core of the RURAL Study participated in the 2025 Panola County Juneteenth Festival in Sardis, Mississippi. Despite a rain delay, the event was a success. 13 attendees received blood pressure screenings, including 11 young men.

Attendees received “Know Your Numbers” materials, American Heart Association information on blood pressure and heart disease, and early RURAL Study findings on hypertension in Panola County. Gift bags with health-themed swag were also distributed.

2nd Anniversary Celebration in Oktibbeha County

The celebration of the 2nd Anniversary of the RURAL Study in Oktibbeha County hosted by the Mississippi Core of the RURAL Study took place Saturday, March 29th at the Oktibbeha Community Safe Room and was a tremendous success! The event was a partnership between the Mississippi Core of the RURAL Study, the Oktibbeha County Community Advisory Board for the RURAL Study, the MSU Health Professions Resource Center, the Jackson Free Clinic Ambassadors, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and the Educational Association of the East Oktibbeha County Schools.

Over 100 attendees, composed of RURAL Study participants, community partners and organizations and community supporters, attended. Dr. Ervin Fox, Principal Investigator for the State of MS RURAL Study welcomed the attendees, the honorable Lynn Spruill also gave a warm welcome, Reverend Tyrone Stallings gave a word of thanks to the group, and the MSU Black Voices rendered a selection to the delight of the entire audience. Dr. Emily Landrum, Dr. Sue Simmons, Dr. William Rosenblatt and Dr. Myrna Alexander led a panel discussion on the Prevention and Management of Heart Disease in men, women, and children. The group was attentive and had several questions answered during the question-and-answer section following the panel discussion. Dr. Sonja Fuqua served as moderator for the panel discussion. Dr. Fox communicated important updates on the RURAL Study, he also touched on upcoming ancillary studies coming to Oktibbeha County and provided important information that will be part of a county-wide databook for community residents and community partners. The Databook may be useful in improving personal and community health.

The Jackson Free Clinic Ambassadors from MSU conducted BP screening on attendees before and after the program. They identified several attendees needing more control of their daily BP. Know your numbers material was handed out. Community engagement Continues in Oktibbeha County with a recent Diabetes Fair at the Partnership Middle School in November 2024. Also, the MS Core is preparing for the upcoming Juneteenth celebrations.

1st Anniversary Celebration in Panola County

The 1st Anniversary Event of the RURAL Study in Panola County was held at the Batesville Civic Center on Saturday, March 22nd. The event was a tremendous success! In attendance were local community supporters, community partners, and representatives from local community organizations. The honorable Hal Ferrell was in attendance at the event. Dr. Fox, Principal Investigator for the MS Core of the RURAL Study, and the Mississippi Core team hosted the event along with the Panola County community engagement consultants for the RURAL Study and the Panola County RURAL Study community advisory board and research support volunteers.

Attendees were able to listen to an important message given by the overall Principal Investigator for the RURAL Study, Dr. Vasan Ramachandran. Dr. Fox gave updates on the progress of the RURAL Study, information on upcoming ancillary studies that include Panola County residents, and early information from the RURAL Study on hypertension in Panola County residents. Dr. Tammy Taylor-Bufford, Dr. Lee Linder, Dr. Eva Ingram and Sabrina Taylor-Gardner RN led a panel discussion on how Primary Care Physicians and Cardiovascular Specialists Work Together in the Prevention and Management of Heart Disease – moderated by Dr. Sonja Fuqua.

Pastor Darrell Dixon led a prayer and assisted Justin Pope with setting up for the event. The North Panola Allied Health Students also helped out throughout the event.

Addition of United States Geological Survey (USGS) to MS CAB Meetings

The Mississippi Core of the RURAL Study convened their quarterly CAB meetings on January 29th (Oktibbeha County) and January 30th (Panola County). Included on the agenda was a report from USGS and Columbia University on findings from water sampling. An NHLBI project officer was also in attendance.

Anniversary Events in Oktibbeha and Panola Counties

In January, the Mississippi Core of the RURAL Study began working with local community engagement consultants (CECs) and CAB members in preparation for anniversary events in Oktibbeha County and Panola County. The Oktibbeha County Anniversary Event will recognize the 2nd Anniversary of the RURAL Study in Oktibbeha County, which will be held on March 29th at the Oktibbeha County Community Safe Room. The Panola County Anniversary Event will recognize the 1st Anniversary of the RURAL Study in Panola County and will be held on March 22nd at the Batesville Civic Center.

The Mississippi Core will invite RURAL cohort participants, community residents, partners, and organizations. During the event, the MS Core will provide updates on the RURAL Study, health education related to heart health across generations with a panel of healthcare providers, and health screening for blood pressure, diabetes, and BMI, followed by a lunch and community fellowship.

Additional Information

Check out the RURAL Study in Mississippi’s Facebook page.

To learn more about the participant experience in the RURAL Study, visit the Study Participants webpage.

If you have any questions or comments, please call the RURAL Study – Mississippi State Core at (601) 815-5697 or email fcaples@umc.edu.