Forrest General Hospital Opens Interventional Radiology Suite

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (December 4, 2023) Forrest General Hospital is meeting the needs of its patients with the opening of an IR (Interventional Radiology) Suite. This suite, located in the hospital’s Radiology Department, will offer a variety of treatments for Pine Belt patients who have been driving elsewhere for their care.

The IR suite will offer the following procedures – neurological, cancer treatment, OB/GYN, and urology. The facility also supports the needs of Forrest General’s Level Two Trauma Center.

“Using the Philips Azurion Imaging Equipment allows us to treat complex imaging procedures with cutting edge technology,” said Shannon Vega, Radiology director. “To a radiologist the new IR suite is the same as a surgical robot to a surgeon.”

Prior to Forrest General obtaining this new technology, patients had to travel outside the Pine Belt to Jackson or New Orleans.

Marshall Hutchinson, MD, has joined the hospital’s Interventional Radiology team and will provide local care. A graduate of William Carey University’s medical school, he recently completed his Interventional Fellowship at Ochsner.

Forrest General Hospital Radiology Department Chair and Medical Director,

James York, MD, and Comprehensive Radiology Services (CRS) have collaborated to complete this project in order to meet the needs of patients in a timely manner. Dr. York attended site visits and performed research to ensure Forrest General purchased the highest, cutting-edge equipment for the Interventional Radiology suite.

“We are excited to bring this new interventional imaging room to fruition,” said Dr. York. “It provides next level precision guidance. Comprehensive Radiology Services is thrilled to team with Forrest General to bring these procedures to our community.”

As part of the new services offered, the Interventional Radiologists will see outpatient consults by referral. The services will also include pre-procedure and follow-up visits. Most procedures will be completed same day, but some may require an overnight stay.

A ribbon cutting was held December 4 to officially open the new suite.

For more information, visit forrestgeneral.org/radiology.