Forrest Health Institute of Neuroscience Cuts Ribbon on new Midtown Hattiesburg Location

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (September 7, 2023) A ribbon cutting and open house were held September 6 at the new Forrest Health Institute of Neuroscience, Midtown Hattiesburg. Located at 2807 Arlington Loop, this local outpatient clinic joins the Institute’s West Hattiesburg facility, located at 7125 U.S. Hwy. 98, which opened in January.

Forrest Health Vice President, Millie Swan, provided a welcome and spoke about the many hours of planning, months of construction, time and effort that went into the opening of such a modern facility to better serve the community in this state-of-the-art Midtown location.

Area Development Partnership President, Chad Newell, thanked hospital administration for its continued support of all areas of the community. “The healthcare sector means so much for our community,” he said, noting that Forrest General Hospital is the largest employer in the metro area with more than 3,500 employees at its main location. “We have more than 11,000 employees in the healthcare sector throughout Greater Hattiesburg. Not only do you guys provide world-class healthcare services, but you provide world class economic impact for all of South Mississippi. We are elated to have you right here in the city of Hattiesburg.”

Newell also talked about Forrest General’s role in the development of the Midtown area where Forrest General and the healthcare sector anchor one side with Southern Miss the other. He noted the construction that is and has taken place during the past 10 years in this area. “Forrest General has been at the tip of that spear with not only their healthcare investment, but the acquisition of some key real estate that can lead to other healthcare or private sector development in the community. It wouldn’t have happened without Forrest General, so we are just elated to be here to celebrate with you guys. Thanks for your continued investment.”

Located to the north, across the street from the Forrest General Cancer Center, the modern facility includes eight exam rooms, a conference/consultation room, onsite X-ray, and offices for the providers, staff, and director, with ample parking on the east side of the facility. Guests had an opportunity to tour the new facility alongside medical professionals, members of the Forrest Health Board of Trustees, and ADP members.

Forrest Health is excited to offer these facilities to Pine Belt patients and those across the state and southern region. The Institute of Neuroscience has the ability to better serve patients with complex spinal disorders, nervous system disorders which include the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous systems, and a spine clinic.

Patients are seen by a team of expert neurosurgeons, each with more than 20 years of experience, and vast knowledge in all areas of brain and spine surgery, including Richard Clatterbuck, MD; Frank Hux, DO; and David J. Nathan, MD. Specialized nurse practitioners and nurses round out the team providing complete care to patients. Forrest General’s complete team of neurosurgeons includes these FHIN physicians, as well as Greg Toczyl, MD.

Clatterbuck, who has been with Forrest Health for more than 16 years, noted that Forrest General’s Level II Trauma Center is one of the busiest in the state by discharges. “We are probably one of the only hospitals in the country who has 24/7, 365 in-house attending neurosurgical care,” he said. “At Forrest General, if you end up in the ER, there is a neurosurgeon waiting 24/7, and that is a very unusual circumstance in the country. We are one of the first in the country to truly have a neurosurgical hospital.”

“Now, with the Institute of Neuroscience, we want to continue to provide high quality, world class emergency neurosurgical care in the community on an ongoing basis,” he said. “We are building these services in order be the center of all neuroscience care for Hattiesburg, the Pine Belt and all of South Mississippi. That’s our goal. That’s the vision we have. With the help of the hospital, I’m confident we will get to that point. We want this facility to be sustainable so Hattiesburg will always have world class neuroscience care at their disposal.”

Both outpatient locations allow patients to receive local, expert care. The Institute of Neuroscience offers advanced technologies, including state-of-the-art cranial and spinal navigation, and treatments for brain tumors and spinal disorders.

Patients will enjoy a comfortable and modern outpatient clinic setting focused on personalized care with accessibility and convenience. The Midtown location features exam rooms, treatment rooms, X-ray suite, and is conveniently located with plenty of parking.

With these new facilities, Forrest Health continues to strive to meet its mission to do what is best for the patient. For more information or to make an appointment, call 601-288-FHIN (3446) or visit www.FHIN.org.