Community Activities in Mississippi

Dr. Kristie Alvarez

Dr. Kristie Alvarez is a Family Medicine Physician at Panola Family & Specialty Clinic at Panola Medical Center. She is from Tate/Panola County. She graduated from Independence High School and completed her undergraduate education at Delta State University. Dr. Alvarez completed medical school and residency training in family medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, respectively. Dr. Alvarez likes to say she is “home-grown”. She loves caring for her community.

Mayor Jerry Autrey

Mayor Jerry Autrey is a native of Batesville, MS. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi. As Mayor, he along with the Board of Alderman, works to maintain harmony between agriculture, industry and urban economic growth. He also works with the Board of Alderman to oversee city services, parks and the academic system. Mayor Autrey has shared his strong interest in improving health conditions in the city of Batesville and other communities throughout Panola County.

Dr. Johnnie Cumming Jr.

Dr. Johnnie Cummings attended and graduated from Meharry Medical College School Of Medicine in 1986. He has over 34 years of diverse experience in Internal Medicine. He is the Medical Director of the Aaron E. Henry Community Health Service, Inc. in Batesville, MS. The mission of the agency is to improve the health of people in the Mississippi Delta and delta hills communities by increasing access to integrated, comprehensive primary and preventive health care. Dr. Cummings is also affiliated with Panola Medical Center and Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center.

Reverend Darryl Dixon

Reverend Darrell Dixon Jr. is a native of Clarksdale, MS and serves as Pastor of St. Matthew Church in Lambert, MS. Darrell earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Delta State University in Cleveland, MS and a Master’s Degree in Economic and Workforce Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. After working in banking, he served as legislative staff in the United States Senate in Washington, DC before leaving that career for other pursuits. He now uses his talents and skills to develop individuals and organizations as a Program Specialist with North Delta Planning & Development District, Inc.

Mr. Trey Hamby

Mr. Thomas G. “Trey” Hamby III, grew up in Batesville, MS, graduating from South Panola High School in 1989. After high school, Mr. Hamby accepted a scholarship to be an athletic trainer at Mississippi State University and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Fitness Management. After graduating, he coached high school football, basketball and track. He won 2 North MS Championships and his teams played for 6 State Championships in only 3 years. After a few years in private business, in 1998, Mr. Hamby returned to Panola County and accepted a job as the Nutrition Coordinator for North Delta Planning and Development district. He has worked for North Delta PDD for the last 22 years, the last 10 as the Assistant Executive Director.

Ms. Pat Neal

Ms. Pat Neal is a native of Batesville, MS. She attended South Panola High School and completed undergraduate work at Delta State University where she received her bachelor’s degree. She completed her Master’s Degree at Mississippi State University. She has been working at the Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Services for 22 years. The MSU Extension Service provides research-based information, educational programs, and technology transfer focused on issues and needs of the people of Mississippi, enabling them to make informed decisions about their economic, social, and cultural well-being. She also works with the 4-H program and the Junior Natural Wellness Volunteers Program.

Mayor Lula Palmer

Mayor Lula L. Palmer was born in Noxapater, MS. She is currently residing in Sardis, MS. She attended Alcorn State University then transferred to Mississippi Valley State University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education. In May 2017, she was elected Mayor of Sardis, becoming both the first female and the first African American to hold the position. She was also the first African American female to be elected (2011) to serve on the Sardis Board of Alderman-serving as Alderwoman of Ward Three.

Dr. Tammy Taylor

Dr. Tammy T. Taylor, a native of Sardis, MS and a graduate of North Panola High School. She completed undergraduate studies at the University of MS. She begins her healthcare career at Northwest Community College. She received both her Masters of Science as a Nurse Educator and Post Master’s as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Alcorn State University. She received her Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Alabama. She is an advocate for change and serves as the Lead Volunteer for the state of MS for the National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF). She currently practices at Delta Cardiovascular diagnosing and treating heart conditions that abruptly ended her own father’s life at the age of forty-six.

• Dr. Phyllis George
• Alderman Justin Pope
• Reverend Louis Wilson

Dr. David Buys

Dr. David Buys graduated from Mississippi College’s Department of Sociology and Social Work in 2004. After that he earned a Master’s degree in sociology from Auburn University and the PhD in Medical Sociology, a graduate certificate in gerontology, a postdoctoral fellowship in Health Services and Outcomes Research, and the Master of Science in Public Health all from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Buys served on faculty in the UAB School of Medicine and is now a member of the faculty at Mississippi State University where he is State Health Specialist for the MSU Extension Service.

Ms. Eileen Carr-Tabb

Ms. Eileen Carr-Tabb received her Masters of Arts degree in Communications and her Master of Science degree in Health Promotion from Mississippi State University. After receiving her education, Ms Carr-Tabb worked as a Disease Intervention Specialist, Senior to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Later, Ms. Carr-Tabb returned to Starkville, MS to a career as a Community Health Educator for the Mississippi State Department of Health. Eileen currently serves as health committee chair of the Oktibbeha County branch of the NAACP, executive board member of the Starkville Lion’s Club and Vice-Chair of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership Minority Task Force and Ms. Carr-Tabb is on the Community Advisory Board of the OCH Regional Medical Center. Ms. Carr-Tabb is a member of the Mississippi State University Black Alumni Council and works as an advocate and leader with early childhood education.

Reverend Maurico Clark

Reverend Maurico Clark, Sr. is the Pastor of Blackjack Missionary Baptist Church where he has served for 4 years. Reverend Clark is also employed with the Institute of Community Service as the Technology Manager for the 4 County areas which houses Head Start Centers in the Golden Triangle. Reverend Clark is a native of Starkville where he was born, raised, and educated and now serves with the intent of helping to make his community better.

Ms. Jacqueline Ellis

Ms. Jacqueline Ellis grew up west of Oktoc Rd in Bethel, Pine Grove, Bethel, and Mt. Olivet Church Communities. Educated in Starkville Public School and Oktibbeha County Schools District, Mississippi State University, and Troy State University. Ms Ellis currently presides over a 501C 3 Community Education group (EAEOCS), and strives to enhance the educational perspectives on community history and culture, health, fitness, and community education.

Dr. Placid Eze

Dr. Placid Eze is an experienced and accomplished family physician and primary care doctor practicing in the community of Starkville, MS. Dr. Eze attended the Morehouse School of Medicine, where he received his medical degree. He also holds his doctorate in pharmacy from Mercer University. He believes in listening to each patient and creating a partnership to maintain and improve lifelong health.

Ms. Yulanda Haddix

Ms. Yulanda Haddix is a native of Starkville Mississippi. A graduate of Rutgers University Camden, New Jersey. Along with educating incarcerated and disadvantaged youth, she also served on numerous committees in her free time. As Vice-President of the Philadelphia Eagles Wives Association, New Jersey Mayor Youth Council, New Jersey Child Assault Prevention Coordinator, New Jersey Judicial Board for Rutgers University in Camden and The National Coalition for 100 Black Women, she continues to serve on Starkville Mayor Youth Council, Board Member of the Golden Triangle Boys and Girls Club, currently works at EMCC as a WIOA Youth Career Navigator and a State of Mississippi Certified Workforce Trainer.

Dr. Emily Landrum

Dr. Emily Brandon Landrum is a native of Starkville, MS. She graduated from Starkville High School in 2007. She went on to Millsaps College where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. During her junior year of college she applied for and was awarded the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship, a scholarship to promote return to practice in rural Mississippi. She is board certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine and is an active member of the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and Mississippi State Medical Association.

Mayor Larry Pruitt

Mayor Larry Pruitt is the Mayor of Maben, Mississippi

• Ms Cherri Lightsey
• Dr. Brianna Kendricks
• Ms Erica Owens
• Ms. Jossie Redmond
• Supervisor Orlando Trainer

RURAL stands for The Risk Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal (RURAL) Study. It is a six-year research project seeking to identify why some people in the rural south may live shorter and less healthy lives.

Focusing on 10 rural counties in Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi, the research team will examine about 4,000 residents to study different aspects of their heart, lung, and general health.

Participants will receive results from their research examination. County specific results will be also shared with community organizations.

The study will be conducted in two Mississippi Counties: Panola and Oktibbeha

Tentative Schedule:

• Oktibbeha County recruitment – Summer 2021
• Exams on the MEU begin in Oktibbeha County – Autumn 2021 to Spring 2022
• Panola County recruitment – Autumn 2021
• Exams on the MEU begin in Panola County – Spring 2022 – Summer 2022

The Study is led by a collaboration with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Boston University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well as several other institutions across the country. The team is comprised of experts in setting up MEUs in Rural areas and collecting data such as blood pressure, blood work, urine tests, x-rays, interviews and other measures. The in-person examinations will be conducted by licensed technicians staff on the MEU.

Participants will be given an appointment to come to a Mobile Examination Unit (MEU) for a thorough clinical examination and for structured interviews.

First, we will find out who in the County meet the eligibility criteria to be selected. For example, you have to be between the ages of 35 and 64 and an English or Spanish speaker; then a random sample will be selected from that group.

The study will acquire both traditional and unique factors that may contribute to heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders and identify potential solutions by examining study findings. Participants will be provided with their results, including being alerted to any abnormal findings. Health promotion and disease prevention education will be provided.

We aim to share county-specific results with community organizations and other groups in this network. This information may also guide future programs to improve health in their local area. All rural communities will have access to county-level findings as data becomes available throughout the study period.

It is important to know that some risk factors can be modified by changing one’s lifestyle. Examples include eating healthy foods, using portion control, engaging in active physical activity for 30 minutes a day five days/week at least, not smoking and avoiding excessive use of alcohol. Knowing your blood pressure, weight blood sugar or hemoglobin A1C and cholesterol numbers is also a part of awareness. Knowing these things gives individuals more control of their own health so that the onset of chronic disease is prevented, and mild symptoms can be stopped before they progress.