New Dialysis Unit Opens in Lamar County

LAMAR COUNTY, Miss. - This is a press release from Hattiesburg Clinic.

Hattiesburg Clinic is pleased to announce the opening of its first dialysis facility in Lamar County, West Hattiesburg Dialysis Unit, located at 6855 Lincoln Rd. Ext., Ste. 60, in Hattiesburg, Miss.

“Like our other dialysis units throughout South Mississippi, this new unit is serviced by a team of nephrologists, nurse practitioners, specialty trained registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified hemodialysis technicians, social workers, dietitians and other specialized personnel who will work closely with each patient to implement individualized dialysis treatment and plan of care,” said Chief Dialysis Officer Tammy Gargis.

The goal for the new unit, Gargis says, is to provide convenient access to dialysis services for Stage 5 kidney patients residing in Lamar County. The facility would be the clinic’s second dialysis unit in the City of Hattiesburg and its thirteenth in South Mississippi.

“Hattiesburg Clinic has made a commitment to taking care of the community and those dealing with kidney disease in our area,” said Hattiesburg Clinic Nephrologist and Medical Director H. Allen Gersh, MD.

More than 661,000 Americans have kidney failure, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Among these, 468,000 individuals are on dialysis. Hattiesburg Clinic treats approximately 900 dialysis patients across its 13 dialysis units in Mississippi.

Local officials say access to a dialysis facility in the Lamar County area would be a major benefit to residents.

“It is always best when patients can receive care as near to their home as possible. Dialysis is time consuming each visit and some patients require multiple weekly visits. This clinic just adds another layer of convenience to an already cumbersome task of treatment for Lamar County residents,” said Sen. John Polk, who serves District 44.

Mississippi Rep. Brad Touchstone said that he is encouraged to see Hattiesburg Clinic increase its physical footprint farther into Lamar County. He said the new development would contribute to the area’s overall economy and quality of life.

“New employment opportunities and access to quality health care are both important components in maintaining a strong, growing community,” said Touchstone. “With this expansion, residents of Lamar County will directly benefit from both.”

West Hattiesburg Dialysis Unit is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can be reached at 601-261-3024.

For more information about this facility or Hattiesburg Clinic’s other dialysis locations, please visit www.hattiesburgclinic.com/dialysis.