Sally Tipton of Vicksburg, left, sits during the opening ceremony for Promise Healthcare Inc., on the second floor of River Region Medical Center West, as her husband, Dan, chats with nurse Elizabeth Grey.(Meredith Spencer The Vicksburg Post)

[7/15/04]Sally Tipton of Vicksburg was there Wednesday when Promise Healthcare Inc. of Boca Raton, Fla., formally opened its newest long-term acute care hospital in Vicksburg.

Because of the company, which owns and manages specialty hospitals in seven states, Tipton was able to spend her 33-day recovery time from an aneurysm in a local facility instead of having to go somewhere else.

Promise opened its long-term care facility about six months ago and celebrated receiving its certification with a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The “hospital within a hospital” is on the second floor of River Region Medical Center’s West Campus on North Frontage Road. The building was formerly Vicksburg Medical Center.

“This is a long-term, acute-care hospital, and we provide care for patients who have an average stay in our hospital of 25 days or more,” explained Peter R. Baronoff, Promise chairman and chief executive officer.

The facility will have 36 beds, he said, and started out with about 20 employees with plans to go to 80 to 100 as usage increases. Promise Specialty Hospital has 33 physicians on staff.

Its services are a bridge between acute-care hospitals and longer-term facilities, such as skilled nursing and nursing homes.

“These are patients with serious illnesses who need highly focused, concentrated care,” Baronoff said. “This is a form of care that there is certainly a need in this community, and we are happy to provide it.”

Michael Kornblatt, senior vice president for operations, gave credit to the medical staff of River Region for identifying the need for the service.

“In all of our communities we like to work closely with local physicians on the usefulness of having a program,” Kornblatt said.

Promise officials described typical patients as those suffering from a wide range of diseases and medical conditions that may require cardiac monitoring, weaning from a ventilator, intravenous antibiotic therapy, post-operative care following coronary artery bypass, congestive heart failure, chronic respiratory conditions, severe wounds, joint replacement or amputations.

Wednesday, North Ward Alderman Gertrude Young welcomed Promise to the community.

“This is something we needed,” she said, pointing out to Promise officials and guests that she is a former registered nurse and had worked “in this very building.”

“We appreciate your investment in Vicksburg,” Young added.

Annie Mitchell, representing the Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, presented Baronoff with a plaque.

“This key symbolizes the open-door policy of the Chamber,” she said.

“Our mission is all about quality patient care,” Baronoff said, adding that as the American population continues to age, the need for such long-term care will only continue to grow.

Lee Huckaby is the chief executive officer for Promise Specialty Hospital of Vicksburg, and Elizabeth A. Clarke is the director of clinical services.