Progressive Health Group

12/23/2025

CMS has established the Office of Rural Health Transformation to lead the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program—focused on strengthening access, infrastructure, and collaboration in rural communities nationwide. The new office will coordinate funding, state engagement, and oversight to ensure meaningful, long-term impact for rural healthcare.

Read more:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has created a new Office of Rural Health Transformation to coordinate and oversee the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program. The office will manage grants, monitor state compliance, and support rural healthcare access initiatives across the US.

12/23/2025

How Not to Give or Get COVID-19 This Christmas 🎄

No one wants to spend the holidays feeling sick. COVID-19 and other viruses are still spreading, but a few smart steps can help protect your loved ones:

• Stay home if you’re sick or recently exposed
• Get vaccinated to reduce severe illness
• Wear a mask in crowded places or while traveling
• Improve air flow, wash hands, and avoid packed indoor spaces
• Test before gatherings and keep celebrations smaller when possible

Let’s take care of each other so we can enjoy a healthy, happy holiday season together ❤️

Learn more from the World Health Network: https://whn.global/how-not-to-give-or-get-covid-for-christmas/

12/22/2025

Healthy habits matter—especially during seasonal sickness. ❄️

Fuel your body, wash those hands, and stay warm—simple steps that help keep you feeling your best all season long.

12/15/2025

Stay healthy this season with simple habits that support your immune system and overall wellness: ❄️

-Eat well and stay hydrated
-Dress warmly and protect your skin
-Wash hands and avoid crowds when possible
-Get enough sleep and stay active indoors
-Use a humidifier and get some sunlight daily
-Limit sugar and alcohol
-Keep up with routine check-ups

Want more tips? Read the full article to learn more:
https://www.healthshots.com/how-to/ways-to-stay-healthy-in-winter/

12/11/2025

Rural America is built on resilience — doing more with less. But when it comes to healthcare, that resilience is being stretched to its limits.

From physician shortages and limited specialty care to hospitals operating on razor-thin margins, rural communities face some of the toughest healthcare challenges in the country. Yet despite these barriers, rural providers continue to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care that rivals major urban systems.

But excellence under pressure shouldn’t be mistaken for adequate resourcing. Rural hospitals and clinics need meaningful investment, policy support, and sustainable funding to ensure every patient — regardless of zip code — has access to quality care.

This article by Colton W. Wolf captures the realities of rural healthcare and why the “do more with less” mindset is no longer enough.

Read the full article:

As Americans, we’re taught that resilience is a cardinal virtue. We believe in the power of the bootstrap — the idea that sheer ingenuity and hard work can overcome any

12/08/2025

A new study from The University of Texas at Arlington highlights the growing healthcare gap between rural and urban communities and the critical role the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program plays in keeping essential services open. With more than 100 rural hospital closures since 2005 and many more at risk, the REH model offers a path to preserve emergency and outpatient care for vulnerable communities.

At Progressive Health Group, we’ve supported multiple hospitals through successful REH conversions by guiding regulatory and financial planning, strengthening emergency and outpatient operations, and helping leaders make informed, community-focused decisions. As research continues to show the challenges facing rural healthcare, we remain committed to helping hospitals stay open and ensuring patients maintain access to the care they deserve.

Learn more about the study:

Researchers analyze how the Rural Emergency Hospital model is shaping access to care in vulnerable Texas communities

12/08/2025

🤧 Holiday Season Health Alert: Cold, Flu, COVID-19, or RSV

As temperatures drop and gatherings increase, seasonal illnesses are on the rise. Cold, Flu, COVID-19, and RSV share many symptoms, so here’s a quick guide:

Cold: Mild, with cough, runny nose, and sore throat.
Flu: Sudden onset, high fever, chills, body aches, fatigue.
COVID-19: Fever, chills, cough, fatigue; symptoms range from mild to severe.
RSV: Often affects kids and older adults; can cause wheezing or breathing issues.

Feeling sick? Stay home, rest, drink fluids, and take over-the-counter medications as needed.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from Progressive Health Group! 🍁🦃

We’re grateful for our incredible team, patients, and community who make everything we do possible. Wishing you a day filled with gratitude, good food, and great company! 💛

11/25/2025

While Thanksgiving can be a time of gratitude and connection, it’s also one of the most stressful holidays of the year. Between travel, family dynamics, and high expectations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Here are a few ways to protect your peace and stay grounded this season.

1️⃣ Set Boundaries — and Stick to Them
Family gatherings can bring joy and stress. It’s okay to say “no” to plans or conversations that make you uncomfortable. Setting boundaries helps preserve your peace.

2️⃣ Eat and Drink in Moderation
Enjoy your favorite dishes — just listen to your body and stay hydrated. Balance celebration with choices that help you feel your best.

3️⃣ Practice Self-Care
Busy schedules can crowd out personal time. Prioritize rest and small, consistent habits like sleep, movement, and connection.

4️⃣ Unplug and Be Present
Too much screen time can heighten stress and comparison. Step away from social media and focus on real, face-to-face moments of gratitude.

Remember: You can’t control others, but you can manage how you respond.

Learn more from psychologist Dr. Helen Marlo on navigating Thanksgiving stress:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/deeper-dive/202511/how-to-navigate-thanksgiving-stress-without-losing-your-mind

11/20/2025

Thank you La Grange Tx Noon Lions Club for having me as a guest and allowing me to listen to the presentation by Progressive Health Group’s CEO of the new Progressive Health of Fayette hospital (formerly St. Mark’s). Here is a brief rundown of my main takeaways-

➡️ Bottom Line Upfront (BLUF): There is a plan to incrementally increase available medical services, many specifics are still being worked out.

🏥 Opening: Stated goal of Feb 2026.

🏥 Sequence: Beginning w/ ER, Radiology, and Labs.

🏥 Specialties: The plan is to add demand-supported specialties over time but no Maternity.

🏥 The facility will be a “Rural Emergency Hospital (REH).” It will not initially have an inpatient unit but will have a shorter term “observation” section.

IF things go according to plan, it’s a great step forward but there will undoubtedly be challenges along the way.

What are your thoughts or concerns?

11/20/2025

Celebrating Mississippi Rural Health Day!

November 20th was proclaimed Mississippi Rural Health Day in 2015 by then-Governor Phil Bryant, recognizing the vital care provided by the state’s rural hospitals and clinics.

At Progressive Health Group, we are proud to support and advance rural healthcare across Mississippi. With our hospitals in Batesville, Houston, and Marks, along with our management of two rural clinics in Tunica, we remain committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to communities that need it most. Headquartered in Oxford, Mississippi, our mission is clear: to strengthen and sustain healthcare in every corner of the state.