Each year the Community Health Center Association of Mississippi (CHCAMS) recognizes employees for their outstanding work as an ambassador of community health centers in Mississippi. Their dedication helps fulfill the mission and purpose of providing quality comprehensive healthcare.

This year, CHCAMS announced our CEO, Dr. Geroldean Dyse, as being the recipient of the Executive Director of the Year Award. Dr. Dyse, we applaud you, celebrate you, and thank you for a job well done!

Join us as we celebrate National Health Center Week! Free health check-ups and screenings will be provided at our clinic locations in Beaumont, Brooklyn, Hattiesburg, Lumberton, New Augusta, Picayune, Seminary, and Sumrall  ALL WEEK, August 10- August 14, 2020.  For more information, please call 601-658-0058.

Stop by SeMRHI Support Services Center on Wednesdays, 9 am – 5 pm, for a walk-in visit with our Optometrist.  You may qualify for a voucher for a brand-new pair of eyeglasses.  For more information, please call (601) 909-9390!

Local Attorney, Richard Schwartz, donated 1000 N95 face masks to healthcare workers of Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, Inc. on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.  The masks will be distributed among the 17 clinics that make up Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative Incorporations network of community health centers throughout the Pine Belt.  The masks will also be used for their drive through testing centers over the coming weeks at Hattiesburg Family Health Center on May 13, at Beaumont Family Health Center on May 19, and at Seminary Family Health Center on May 21.  N95 masks, which protect wearers from airborne particles, are in short supply worldwide because of the coronavirus pandemic.  A shortage of equipment vital to protecting our healthcare professionals has become a huge concern for frontline workers treating COVID-19 patients. Schwartz says, “We recognize the need to support our most vulnerable essential workers during this crisis, which are our healthcare workers.  I wanted to do my part by donating these face masks to local hospitals.”  Schwartz will be donating face masks to other local hospitals in cities throughout the state.  Click here to view the news coverage from WDAM.

Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, Inc. (SeMRHI) is dedicated to keeping our patients and communities safe. As a network of seventeen community health centers, located in Hattiesburg, Seminary, Sumrall, Lumberton, Beaumont, New Augusta, Brooklyn, Picayune, and Petal, we are uniquely positioned to respond to health crises such as the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We are actively taking steps to protect our patients as we monitor the spread of the Coronavirus. For questions, please 601-658-0058 or email communityhealth@semrhi.com.

What is Coronavirus?

COVID-19 is a new respiratory virus that causes flu-like illness ranging from mild to severe, with symptoms of fever, coughing, fatigue and difficulty breathing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) are working to detect, contain, and limit the spread of cases in the U.S. and Mississippi. MSDH is actively preparing doctors and hospitals on how to respond safely and effectively to COVID-19 in Mississippi.

Like the flu, COVID-19 is thought to be spread person-to-person by close contact (within 6 feet) and by coughing or sneezing. Other possible routes of transmission, such as touching surfaces contaminated by the virus, are also being investigated.

Signs and Symptoms

Fever, Cough, Aches/Chills, and Shortness of Breath

What can I do to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus?

• Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with anyone who is ill.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes. When possible, cough, sneeze, or blow your nose into a tissue, and throw the tissue away.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing, blowing your nose, and using the bathroom. Effective handwashing takes about 20 seconds, and includes cleaning under fingernails, between fingers, and washing the back of hands as well as the front.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often.
• Stay in good overall health by eating right and staying active. If you are living with diabetes, heart disease, or other conditions, keep in touch with your doctor and stay current with your treatment.
• During or before flu season, get a flu shot. Flu vaccination can prevent the flu or make it less severe, and decrease your chance of hospitalization and death. It also keeps you healthier and better able to fight off infections.
• If you are sick, especially with shortness of breath, cough, fever or similar flu-like symptoms, call a doctor or healthcare provider.

Additional Recommendations from The Mississippi State Department of Health                           

• Avoid gatherings of 250 people or more, especially if there is evidence of transmission in your county or adjacent counties. If you do attend, remember to practice hand hygiene.
• To prevent illness in those most vulnerable, anyone 65 or older OR with a chronic medical condition should avoid any gathering of 250 people or more (corrected from 50 earlier).
• Avoid unnecessary (non-urgent) air, bus, or train travel.
• Limit visitation to older relatives or friends (especially in nursing or care homes).
• Prepare for the possibility that schools or daycare centers may temporarily close.

(The information on this page is provided by the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

SeMRHI is now offering telehealth visits for most of our primary care locations in Hattiesburg, Seminary, Sumrall, Beaumont, New Augusta, Petal, Brooklyn, Lumberton, and Picayune.  Speak to and see your provider from the comfort and safety of your home.  To book your appointment, call us at 601-658-0058.

Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, Inc. provides easy, convenient, online appointment scheduling for both new and established patients. Online appointment scheduling is available for most health center locations.

Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, Inc. (SeMRHI) Is Now Providing Coronavirus (COVID-19) Screenings at 8 Clinic Locations: Hattiesburg, New Augusta, Beaumont, Seminary, Sumrall, Lumberton, Brooklyn, and Picayune.

Forrest, Perry, Covington, Lamar, and Pearl River Counties, Miss. – (March 25, 2020) Effective immediately Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, Inc. has begun screening patients for COVID-19 at multiple clinic locations.

COVID-19 screenings are available in Hattiesburg at the Minor Care Clinic, every day of the week from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. to accommodate patients who may need to come in after-hours.

Minor Care Clinic is the only SeMRHI clinic providing COVID-19 screenings currently in Hattiesburg. There are several additional testing locations for patients who live in cities outside of Hattiesburg. Below is a comprehensive list of all SeMRHI testing locations with clinic names, hours of operation, phone numbers, and addresses.

Hattiesburg, MS
SeMRHI - Minor Care Clinic 
123 South 27th Avenue Hattiesburg, MS 39401 
Hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. 
Phone Number: 601-450-3030

New Augusta, MS
SeMRHI - New Augusta Family Health Center
404 Main Street, MS 39462 New Augusta, MS 39462
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Phone Number: 601-964-8391

Beaumont, MS
SeMRHI - Beaumont Family Health Center
1411 Bradley Avenue Beaumont, MS 39423
Hours: Mon. – Wed. & Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Thur. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Phone Number: 601-784-3922

Picayune, MS
SeMRHI - Picayune Family Health Center
1911 Read Road Picayune, MS 39466
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Phone Number: 601-251-3500

Seminary, MS
SeMRHI - Seminary Family Health Center
100 Hwy 535
Seminary, MS 39479
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Phone Number: 601-722-3208

Sumrall, MS
SeMRHI - Sumrall Family Health Center
1016 Hwy
Sumrall, MS 39482
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Phone Number: 601-758-4214

Lumberton, MS
SeMRHI - Lumberton Family Health
Center
598 West 11th Avenue
Lumberton, MS 39455
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Phone Number: 601-796-4215

Brooklyn, MS
SeMRHI - Brooklyn Family Health Center 
44 Brooklyn – Janice Road
Brooklyn, MS 39425
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 a.m. -5:30 p.m.
Phone Number: 601-582-1188


For questions regarding COVID-19 testing at any SeMRHI clinic, please call 601-658-0058.
Press Contact: Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, Inc. Marketing Dept, 601-450-4970.

Did you know breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in the US outside of skin cancer? Each year in the US, about 245,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women.

Get your free clinical breast exam anytime during the month of October at one of our clinics in Hattiesburg, Beaumont, Brooklyn, Lumberton, Picayune, Seminary, or Sumrall. Follow up appointments and referrals will be available. No appointment is necessary! For more information, call (601) 545-8700.