Community Activities in Mississippi
Mississippi Community Activities 2022
MEU Open House in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi (December 2022)
In December 2022, the Mississippi Core of the RURAL Study, OCH Regional Medical Center, the Mississippi Core Community Advisory Board (CAB), and Mississippi Core Resource Volunteers partnered together to carry out a kickoff program for the RURAL Study in Oktibbeha County. The kickoff program included an open house and tour of the Mobile Exam Unit (MEU) for the local Oktibbeha County community residents. During the event, the Mayor of Starkville and the CEO of OCH Regional Medical Center spoke in support of the RURAL Study. Dr. Ervin Fox was also interviewed by WCBI about the study’s objectives and requirements for participation. Click below to watch the interview.
MS Core Interview on WCBI (October 2022)
In October 2022, Drs. Ervin Fox and Celeste Reese, a member of the community engagement team for the Mississippi Core, were recently interviewed on the Mid-Morning Show with Scott Martin on WCBI. During the interview, Dr. Fox discussed the eligibility criteria, the arrival of the MEU to Oktibbeha County in early December, its location at the OCH Regional Medical Center, and the way residents can let investigators know they are interested in participating. Click below to watch the interview.
Fannie Lou Hamer Event (October 2022)
In October 2022, the Mississippi Core attended the NAACP’s Fannie Lou Hamer Event at JL King Park. Several Oktibbeha County residents attended and heard about the RURAL Study. Dr. Ervin Fox, Ms. Jackie Ellis, and Mississippi State University (MSU) student representatives, Ms. Labreia Robbins and Mr. Clayton Buchanan, were there to inform residents about the study. The residents were taught how to navigate the RURAL Study website to let investigators know they were interested in participating.
Dr. Ervin Fox Presents to the City of Batesville Board of Supervisors (September 2022)
In September 2022, Dr. Ervin Fox presented and handed out information about the RURAL Study to the City of Batesville Mayor, the City of Batesville Board of Supervisors, and community members attending the meeting.
Dr. Ervin Fox Presents to the City of Batesville Board of Supervisors (September 2022)
In September 2022, Dr. Ervin Fox presented and handed out information about the RURAL Study to the City of Batesville Mayor, the City of Batesville Board of Supervisors, and community members attending the meeting.
Visit to Nelson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (September 2022)
In September 2022, Dr. Ervin Fox was invited by Pastor Fred Butts to speak about the RURAL Study at the Sunday morning worship service at Nelson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Pope, Mississippi, located in Panola County. Several Panola County residents attended the worship service and were given information about the study.
Artesia Day in Artesia, Mississippi (August 2022)
In August 2022, Jackie Ellis, a Community Engagement Consultant for the Mississippi Core, helped to share about the RURAL Study at Artesia Day in Artesia, Mississippi. Several Oktibbeha County residents attended the event and were given information about the study.
National Night Out Community-Police Awareness (August 2022)
In August 2022, Yulanda Haddix, a Community Advisory Board (CAB) member, helped to promote the RURAL Study at the National Night Out-Back to School event in Oktibbeha County. The MS Core helped to provide school supplies and materials to kids going back to school.
Juneteenth Celebration in Panola County (June 2022)
On June 11, 2022, the Mississippi Core Community Advisory Board (CAB) promoted the study at the Sardis Juneteenth Celebration in Panola County, Mississippi. The CAB members handed out RURAL Study flyers, brochures, and approximately 200 bags, bottles, and other goodies to those visiting the table.
Oktibbeha County Health Fair (June 2022)
On June 11, 2022, the Oktibbeha County Health Fair was hosted by the Mississippi Core of the RURAL Study in partnership with the Mississippi State Medical Association (MSMA). The health fair was held at the Mill Conference Center in Starkville, Mississippi. Everyone was invited to get a health screening, eye screening, health education, COVID-19 vaccination, and CPR awareness. Click below to watch a WCBI news segment covering the Oktibbeha County Health Fair.
MEU Site Visit at OCH Regional Medical Center (May 2022)
On May 4, 2022, OCH Regional Medical Center leadership and physical facility staff hosted Dr. Ervin Fox, the Mississippi Core State PI, Dr. Suzanne Judd, a Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI) of the RURAL Study, and David Rhodes, the Director of Clinical Operations for the RURAL Mobile Evaluation Unit (MEU), at the anticipated MEU site at OCH Regional Medical Center.
Mississippi Core and OCH Visit to the MEU in Selma, Alabama (April 2022)
The Mississippi State Core PI, Dr. Ervin Fox, and OCH Regional Medical Center physical facilities staff visited Selma on April 11, 2022 in preparation for the MEU moving to Mississippi later in 2022. David Rhodes, the Director of Clinical Operations for the RURAL Mobile Evaluation Unit (MEU), and Dr. Shauntice Allen, the Alabama State Core PI, were instrumental in describing the MEU setup and its operations for when in Mississippi.
Sleep and Lung Disorders and Heart Health (February 2022 Virtual Event)
The Mississippi Core State PI, Dr. Ervin Fox, Mississippi Core Members, and the Oktibbeha and Panola County Community Advisory Boards (CABs) hosted a Go RED virtual event on February 26, 2022 in partnership with the Mississippi State Medical Association (MSMA), the American Heart Association (AHA), and the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority (MRHA). The event was titled, “Sleep and Lung Disorders and Heart Health.” There was extraordinary feedback from those who participated. You can watch a recording of the event on Facebook here.
Mississippi Core Members Visit the Starkville Housing Authority (February & May 2022)
In February and May of 2022, Dr. Ervin Fox, the Mississippi State Core PI, and Ms. Eileen Carr-Tabb, an Oktibbeha County Community Consultant, visited the Starkville Housing Authority to discuss the RURAL Study with residents of the complex. The audience was very attentive and took an exceptional interest in the study and its potential contribution to the community. Dr. Fox and Ms. Carr-Tabb will continue to visit several other housing complexes in the Oktibbeha County region as the study nears the recruitment phase in Mississippi.
Mississippi State University invited Dr. Ervin Fox to speak about the RURAL Study (February 2022)
In February of 2022, Dr. Ervin Fox spoke to Mississippi State University (MSU) faculty and students as an invited speaker for the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED) Spring Seminar Series. The presentation was titled, “The RURAL Study in Oktibbeha County: Background and Opportunities for Collaboration.” Please click here to view the presentation.
Additional Information
Check out the RURAL Study in Mississippi’s Facebook page.
To learn more about the participant experience in the RURAL Study, visit the Study Participants webpage.
If you have any questions or comments, please call the RURAL Study – Mississippi State Core at (601) 815-5697 or email fcaples@umc.edu.