Delta Health System Strengthens Newborn Care Through Partnership with UMMC

Delta Health System is proud to provide compassionate, high-quality care for the region’s newest patients through a strong partnership with the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). Entering the third year, this collaboration is helping ensure that infants born in Greenville, and across the region, receive expert newborn care close to home while maintaining seamless access to the state’s highest level of neonatal services when needed.

Through collaboration with UMMC’s Division of Newborn Medicine and its Level IV neonatal intensive care units at Children’s of Mississippi and Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants, Delta Health System can deliver advanced newborn care in Greenville with the support of leading neonatologists, nurse practitioners, and telehealth technology. This partnership allows families to remain near home while still benefiting from the expertise and resources of Mississippi’s only Level IV NICUs, creating safer deliveries and better outcomes for mothers and babies.

“Our mission is to provide exceptional care to every patient who comes through our doors which includes the smallest and most vulnerable,” said Iris Stacker, Chief Executive Officer of Delta Health System. “For the past two years, our partnership with UMMC has strengthened the care we can offer locally. It allows us to provide a higher level of support for our mothers and newborns while ensuring that babies who need advanced services can access them quickly and seamlessly. We are seeing the impact of this collaboration with safer deliveries and healthier outcomes for families in the Delta.”

At Delta Health System in Greenville, newborns receive routine and specialized care in the hospital’s nursery, with pediatricians and nurse practitioners collaborating closely with UMMC specialists. If a critically ill infant is born or a complex medical concern arises, local providers can connect immediately with neonatologists in Jackson through telehealth technology. This real-time video and diagnostic capability allow physicians to assess newborns, guide care, and determine next steps without delay.

“At Delta Health System, our nursing and clinical teams are committed to giving every baby a healthy start,” said Kiyo Holmes, Chief Nursing Officer for Delta Health System. “This partnership with UMMC has enhanced the safety and quality of our obstetric and newborn services. It allows our teams to care for mothers and babies with greater confidence, knowing

we have immediate access to neonatal specialists and advanced resources. Ultimately, it means safer deliveries and better outcomes for the families we serve.”

Through daily communication, shared expertise, and telehealth rounds, providers across Greenville and Jackson work as one coordinated team. The collaboration ensures that newborns are treated according to the latest neonatal guidelines, allows for specialty consultations without unnecessary travel, and supports smooth transfers to Jackson when advanced care is required.

“Delta Health System’s commitment to partnerships extends far beyond newborn care, Stacker added. “At Delta Health System, we are continually working to expand services and strengthen partnerships that enhance the quality of life across the Delta Region,” added Stacker. “Whether it is maternal and infant care, specialty services, telehealth, or community health initiatives, we are focused on meeting patients where they are and ensuring they have access to the care they need. Collaborations like the one we have with UMMC demonstrate how we can bring more resources to our communities and continue improving health outcomes for the people we serve.”

For Delta Health System, the focus remains clear: caring for babies born in the Delta and supporting families during some of life’s most important moments. By partnering with UMMC and other regional providers, Delta Health System continues to expand access to high-quality newborn care and strengthen the health of communities across the Mississippi Delta.