Community Involvement
Forrest Health prides itself on being active in and giving back to our local communities. We are once again pleased to be involved in partnerships for screenings, health fairs, career fairs, and a variety of programs where we welcome public participation. We are excited for our medical staff to go out into the community and help educate students on health-related issues while also providing them an opportunity to explore careers in the medical sector they might want to pursue. As we continue to fulfill our mission to do what is best for the patient, we also want to advise community members on ways they can help take care of their health.
Community Education & Events
Forrest Health offers several free educational seminars and events throughout the year. Teaming up with organizations such as the Mississippi State Department of Health, Forrest General holds a Head, Neck and Oral Cancer screening. Our Trauma Clinic conducts Stop the Bleed workshops, a free educational course which educates the general public on different techniques to control bleeding while waiting for emergency personnel. Representatives from Forrest General’s Stroke Department go out into community neighborhoods, high school and college classrooms to educate residents and students about the warning signs of a stroke and to stress the importance of the quick action required to treat a patient. During open enrollment periods, the hospital has offered free seminars on Medicare and the Affordable Care Act as part of its partnership with CMO Insurance.
Educational programs are offered in addition to numerous support groups, such as the Forrest General Home Care & Hospice Bereavement Support Group, and community classes like Madalene’s Moms for expectant and new moms.
The Spirit of Women program, which provides “health-u-tainment” events – health education events in a fun and entertaining way – is in full swing as it celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024. Partnering with The University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagle Baseball Team in the spring, a “Batter-Up: Baseball Talk with Besties” event brought participants to Pete Taylor Park for a night of fun. Other events are planned throughout the year as we celebrate women and provide entertainment on topics ranging from gardening to home decorating, while medical experts relay important health information covering all stages of a woman’s life.
Forrest Health also contributes through the Spirit Girls program, which offers young women from around Forrest Health’s 19-county service area an opportunity to learn about positive self-esteem, the importance of taking action for their health and giving back to the community. In 2023, Spirit Girls worked a wide range of activities and community service projects for organizations such as Hattiesburg Zoo, Hattiesburg Half, Dog Days 5K, and the Miss Hospitality program. Spirit Girls also participate in Spirit of Women events.
For more information about community involvement, click HERE to view our Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).
Sponsorships
Forrest Health serves the community in different capacities, one of which is through sponsorships and other charitable contributions to local organizations. As a part of the community, we want to not only support health-related causes, but also those groups, organizations, and causes our patients, employees, and community hold dear.
As a non-profit ourselves, we must carefully consider the sponsorships we choose. Unfortunately, we are unable to fund all of the requests we receive, but try our hardest to support within our budget.
For more information about Forrest Health’s community involvement or sponsorships, email us at sponsorship@forrestgeneral.com, call 601-288-1300, or click HERE to download form.
