True North - Your Destination for Better Health

In this episode of We're All Heart , Dr. Barry Bertolet sits down with Dr. Baker Boler to unpack the silent threat of hypertension. From understanding what those blood pressure numbers really mean to exploring lifestyle changes, medications, and even groundbreaking procedures like renal denervation, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to take control of their heart health. Whethe...

In Episode 7 of  We're All Heart , host Dr. Barry Bertolet sits down with cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Jim Stone to demystify arrhythmias—from the everyday nuisance to life-threatening emergencies. Learn how smartwatches are revolutionizing early detection Discover the difference between AFib and atrial flutter ️ Explore cutting-edge treatments like pulse field ablation (PFA) ⚡ Hear how electr...

Join Dr. Barry Bertolet and Dr. Michael Boler in this compelling episode of  We're All Heart  as they dive deep into Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)—a minimally invasive procedure that saves lives by restoring blood flow to the heart. Learn how stents are deployed, the use of the Impella device for patients with heart failure, and how advanced cardiac care is transforming outcomes at Nort...

A message from NMHS CEO Shane Spees: Reflecting on this past year, I am reminded of a recent interaction I had with a friend and member of our community. Her family member was receiving care at our facilities, and she recognized our team’s “exceptional innovation, dedication and compassion”. She detailed how our team’s care and support made a significant difference in her loved one’s recovery jour...

In this powerful episode of  We're All Heart , host Dr. Barry Bertolet welcomes Dr. David Talton, cardiothoracic surgeon at North Mississippi Medical Center, to discuss the cutting-edge world of minimally invasive heart surgery. Learn how procedures like TAVR and MitraClip are helping patients avoid traditional open-heart surgery, recover faster and enjoy a better quality of life. Dr. Talton share...

    Our newest episode of A. G.R.E.A.T. Strategy Podcast Series has officially dropped!    This episode is particularly special to me because we look back on our past year and the entire podcast series. We started this podcast series to help our teammates better understand our strategy and to improve our communication flow. This episode wraps up the series by looking back on how we have driven and...

Join Dr. Barry Bertolet and electrophysiologist Dr. Karthik Prasad from North Mississippi Medical Center as they break down everything you need to know about pacemakers in this episode of  We’re All Heart . Learn how pacemakers treat slow heart rates, heart failure, and bundle branch block, and discover the latest innovations like leadless and conduction system pacing. Whether you're a patient, ca...

In this episode of  We’re All Heart , Dr. Barry Bertolet sits down with Dr. Murray Estess, a non-invasive cardiologist and echocardiography expert at North Mississippi Health Services. Together, they explore the power of 3D echocardiography—how it works, what it reveals, and why it’s transforming patient care. From diagnosing heart valve disease and congenital defects to planning surgeries and det...

In this episode of We’re All Heart , Dr. Barry Bertolet talks with vascular surgeon Dr. Joey Stinson about carotid artery disease and the life-saving procedures available in north Mississippi. From early detection with ultrasound to advanced treatments like TCAR, they explore how modern vascular care is transforming stroke prevention close to home. Chapters (00:00:01) - All Heart (00:00:35) - We'r...

In the premiere episode of  We’re All Heart , interventional cardiologist Dr. Barry Bertolet introduces the podcast series and sets the tone for what’s to come. With over 27 years of experience serving the Tupelo community, Dr. Bertolet shares why heart health is such a critical topic in Mississippi—and why now is the time to talk about it. This episode explores the “why” behind the series: to spo...

Now available for providers in Epic:   Migraine Documentation Templates   Initial Migraine appointment: MIGRAINEINITIALHPI Follow Up Migraine appointment: MIGARINEFUHPI  Neurologist Dr. Waqas Gilani talks to us about migraines - how they are diagnosed, treated, and how to live with them. He shares his personal experience as a migraine sufferer and health care provider.  Information for Providers M...

In this episode of Small Steps for Better Health, Dr. Barry Bertolet tells us some simple ways to improve our heart health, and shares more about a simple heart screening that can catch early signs of heart disease when it's easier to treat.  Every two weeks we will introduce another  Small Step for Better Health . Follow us on social media for more tips, and  sign up for our email newsletter , Tr...

Virtual nursing has been a vital tool in our efforts to redesign the way we provide care. So far, the benefits have included: Improved patient safety More time for nurses to spend with their patients Better career longevity for tenured nurses Shorter discharge time for patients In this episode on our A. G.R.E.A.T. Redesign Strategy, Chief Nursing Officer Kristen Long and CEO Shane Spees discuss th...

Research has shown that the single most important predictor of happiness and a long life is having strong relationships. Health measures like heart rate and blood pressure can even improve with positive social interactions. If you’ve been following along with Small Steps for Better Health, you’ve already spent some time focusing on spending time with people who lift your spirits and making meaning...

Mindful eating is the deliberate action of paying attention to your food without judgment. This approach to eating is to focus on your sensual awareness and your food experience. This includes accepting your feelings, thoughts and your body’s sensations around meals and snacks, and acting calmly and thoughtfully without judgment of your relationship with food. In this episode, registered dietitian...

When we think about why health is important, often what it really comes down to is being able to be active and do the things in life that we enjoy, especially as we age. Performing activities like gardening, carrying groceries into the house, playing catch with your children or grandchildren, getting up by ourselves if we fall down, and others, are key to enjoying our lives. In this episode, physi...

North Mississippi Health Services recently graduated our first class of internal medicine residents. This program was created to help us grow our own talent to continue serving our patients in the future.  Our internal medicine residency program addresses many components of our A. G.R.E.A.T. Redesign strategy, including: Access to care Growth needs Alternative revenue source Evolving how the work...

It is well known that drinking too much alcohol, tobacco use and non-prescription medications increases the risk of many chronic diseases. Avoiding risky substances is important for long-term health. Setting goals for quitting or reducing substances like tobacco and alcohol is a great way to make positive changes to your lifestyle. In this episode, addiction medicine physician Dr. Drew Blackstock...

In this episode of our A GREAT Redesign, Angie Everett, Vice President of Post-Acute & Rehabilitation Services, talks with CEO Shane Spees about how our employees contribute to the work of redesigning health care. She gives front-lines examples and explains our "SASSS" framework - Simplify, Automate, Scale, Support & Sustain.  We want to hear from you! If you have any feedback on these pod...

Healthy sleep is just as important to health and healing as physical, mental and emotional health. It is also the foundation for other lifestyle changes. Being tired or sleepy makes it very difficult to eat well and exercise. According to the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, sleep delays or interruptions can cause sluggishness, low attention span, decreased sociability, depressed mood, decr...

In this week's episode of Small Steps for Better Health, registered dietitian Emily Littlejohn shares more about ways to eat healthy foods but not break the bank.  Healthy eating is within reach, even on a tight budget.  Every two weeks we will introduce another  Small Step for Better Health . Follow us on social media for more tips, and  sign up for our email newsletter , True North. We want to h...

If you’ve been following along with Small Steps for Better Health, you’ve already started building in a little more activity to your day, which is improving your health and fitness! Let’s take the next step by continuing to work our way up to recommended levels. Whatever amount of exercise you are doing now, slowly start adding a few minutes on here and there until you reach the following guidelin...

Cancer screenings are tests that check for signs of cancer before you have symptoms. Thinking about cancer isn’t fun, and if you don’t have any symptoms, it can be easy to put off scheduling these screenings. But studies show that some screening tests can help find cancer early, when it’s easier to treat and even cure. Cancer screening guidelines vary based on the type of cancer and your personal...

Sleep is important to help our bodies rest. High-quality sleep improves mental function, physical health and emotional well-being. It also helps our heart, our metabolism, our hormone balance and our immune system. As important as sleep is, it isn’t always easy to get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night. This week, work on creating a relaxing nighttime routine that signals to your body t...

Changing your eating habits is one of the best things you can do for your health, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or boring. If you’ve been following along with Small Steps for Better Health, you’re cooking more meals at home, which is already improving your health and nutrition! Let’s take the next step by focusing more on what we are putting on our plates. We still aren’t worried about rem...