In an effort to share the faces behind our organization, we're shining a spotlight on our Team, Volunteers, and Board Members who have worked tirelessly to get Trinity Health Center open to provide health and healing to the working uninsured and underinsured neighbors in DeSoto County.

This week, we're spotlighting Trinity Health Center Family Nurse Practitioner, Tina Smith. Tina has been a tremendous asset to our team and patients and has been an outspoken advocate for our organization. 

What is your role here at Trinity Health Center?
To listen to the patient describe symptoms, physical exam, order diagnostics if appropriate and treat condition with education on lifestyle changes, medications and other therapies as appropriate.


Why did you become involved with Trinity Health Center?
First, called into the profession of advanced practice nursing. Desired to partner as a volunteer and was available to fulfill the full time role. This is all the Lord's calling in every aspect of preparation for most of my life.


What excites you most about Trinity Health Center's mission and purpose?
To reach the community that does not otherwise have healthcare and give them a higher quality of care than they expect. It is so gratifying when they state they are surprised to be treated so respectfully and that they feel heard.


What are some of your favorite places in our County to enjoy a healthy lifestyle? 
Olive Branch City Park, Snowden Grove Park and Central Park in Southaven, Lee's Summit Park in Hernando. Stars in Motion in Hernando - yoga, aerial yoga, etc. multiple sports for all age children and some for adults through our local churches, Johnson Cree Greenway in Lake Cormorant. These are a few in Desoto County. There are many other active areas in the neighboring city of Memphis, Germantown, and Collierville TN.

What is your favorite quote or bible verse?
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

Trinity Health Center is proud to announce their new Executive Director, Beth Kolb. Beth became the Executive Director of Trinity Health Center on May 15th and most recently served as a staff member of Compel Church (formerly Life Fellowship Church) in multiple roles.

Beth has been a part of Trinity Health Center’s planning process since its inception through her role at Compel and is honored to lead this organization providing hope and healing to those who need it most here in Desoto County.

Prior to her role in full-time ministry at Compel, Beth worked as a Registered Nurse and is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve in this role that allows her to combine her two passions - medicine and ministry.
“Lack of insurance should not equal lack of quality healthcare. At Trinity, we get the opportunity to provide a first-class healthcare experience for those who are working and unable to obtain health insurance. I am honored to work with this amazing team every day,” said Kolb.

Awareness and advocacy is at the top of the list for Beth and the team at Trinity Health. “We are working to get the word out to the working uninsured of Desoto County that we are here and excited to become their primary healthcare provider. We are creating great partnerships with other medical facilities, businesses and churches and look forward to partnering with more. We are a clinic that has no government funding and is 100% funded by donations. Local churches and individuals have given generously to launch Trinity Health Center. We are believing that there are more in this community who are ready to invest in the mission and vision of Trinity Health Center.”

According to the US Census Bureau’s 2016 Population Survey, 20% of Mississippians were without any form of health insurance.  DeSoto County’s uninsured rate is roughly 17% (29,750). Out-of-pocket costs associated with health care deductibles, copays, prescriptions, and other costs inhibit residents from accessing care when they need it. Nineteen percent (33,250) of adults in DeSoto County consider cost a barrier to accessing care and acknowledge that they have not received care because they could not afford it. Trinity Health Center is working to become the medical home for many of these individuals.

The lack of available and affordable primary care access in the existing healthcare safety-net is driving the work of Trinity Health Center. With almost 30,000 identified uninsured residents, DeSoto County is benefiting from a comprehensive health clinic designed to serve those falling through the cracks of our healthcare system.
​
If you’re interested in donating, volunteering, taking a tour, or providing medical services to Trinity Health Center, you can contact them at bkolb@trinityhealthcenter.org or by visiting www.trinityhealthcenter.org.

In an effort to share the faces behind our organization, we're shining a spotlight on our Team, Volunteers, and Board Members who have worked tirelessly to get Trinity Health Center open to provide health and healing to the working uninsured and underinsured neighbors in DeSoto County.

This week, we're spotlighting Trinity Health Center LPN, Madison Task. Madison has been with us since we opened our doors and has been a tremendous asset to our team and patients. 

What is your role here at Trinity Health Center?
As an LPN, my role is assisting the provider. I triage patients upon entering the facility and I'm in charge of drawing blood, completing labs, and getting all necessary information from the patient before seeing the Nurse Practitioner. I contact patients daily to provide lab results, treatment plans, prescription updates, and schedule follow-up visits. You can also find me at the front desk assisting with the administration side of the clinic checking patients in, out, and scheduling appointments!


Why did you become involved with Trinity Health Center?
As a new graduate, I was eager to begin working and allowing those in need to benefit from my skills. I learned about his position through Dr. Patrick Ball, and applied without knowing the purpose and additional details about Trinity.

After my interview and being around the future staff, I knew this is where I wanted to be. I always imagined myself working in a fast-paced environment, but this was the perfect place to learn and grow as a new nurse.

From the beginning, everyone was so willing to teach me skills that they knew and mold me into the nurse that I am today. It was nothing like I expected but day by day my love for what I do continues to grow.


What excites you most about Trinity Health Center's mission and purpose?
From experience, I believe that those who are uninsured don't always receive the same quality care as those that are insured. Trinity Health not only offers quality health care, but it has become a safe haven for those who need it most. We don't just encounter people in the community who need a primary care provider.

Most of our patients haven't been to a doctor's office in years and they are searching for a sense of reassurance and a positive impact in both their physical and mental health. Our team has made many connections with our patients and hearing their gratitude has made everything so much rewarding.


What are some of your favorite places in our County to enjoy a healthy lifestyle? 
To maintain my health, my favorite gym to work out at is Edge Fitness in Hernando! I've noticed that working out has improved both my physical and mental health. With the help of everyone at Trinity, I have attempted to change my eating habits for a healthier diet (it's a challenge, but I'm trying)!


What is your favorite quote or bible verse?
"If God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it."

Considering working out in the morning?
There are plenty of benefits to doing so, including a recent study proving individuals who worked out before noon on average lost more weight than those hitting the gym after 3 p.m.
If you’re an early riser, you might consider adding your workout routine to the top of your day’s to-do list. Whether it’s running, swimming, weightlifting, or dancing, when you get your blood flowing and endorphins going, you’re guaranteed to start your day off right.
Plus, when you fully commit to a workout routine, you’ll find you feel energized, happier, and healthier — all perks you get when you stop hitting snooze five times in a row. Morning exercise, in particular, is found to increase energy, lower blood pressure, and help individuals make healthier eating choices.
Below, find out all the reasons your body will thank you for hitting the gym in the AM, not PM.

The Top Benefits of Working Out in the Morning 

With many people working from home, it’s a lot easier to roll out of bed and head straight to the living room “gym” for an at-home workout. It’s perfect since there’s no commute and no excuses to skip working out!
But, for those of you who aren’t early morning risers, it’s understandable that a morning workout isn’t your thing. But if you’re looking to start your day off with more enthusiasm, energy, and eagerness, it may be worth it to skip snooze for a sweat session.

Here are some of the best reasons to sweat early in the day:

• Sets the mood for a healthier day - If you start your day with a sweat session, you might feel inspired to continue healthy choices throughout the day. A 2018 study in the International Journal of Obesity monitored over 2,000 college students involved in a 15-week exercise program. While participants weren’t asked to change their eating habits, the ones who stuck to the workout plan ended up eating healthier anyway.
• Increased energy - Regular exercise has been proven to boost energy and minimize fatigue. Working out moves oxygen to your heart and lungs, giving your body overall more oxygen as your cardiovascular system works. Plus, it releases endorphins to raise your energy level, which may sustain you throughout the whole day.
• Reduced stress - Because getting your heart rate up releases endorphins, you can expect to feel good. If you’re feeling like a ball of nerves before a big presentation or just dealing with general work stress, consider a workout prior to heading into the office.
• Ensures it gets done - When you check off your workout first thing in the morning, you’re making it a priority to get physical activity in. Workouts can be the first to-do list item to continuously get moved to tomorrow because you run out of time to get it done. Plus, there’s always a long list of excuses — too tired, worked late, the gym closed early, etc. It also helps boost your confidence because you’ve completed a hard activity early in the day!
• Increased focus - If you need to get hyper-focused for a work meeting or make important decisions, a morning workout could help you do it. In 2019, the British Journal of Sports Medicine published a study showing morning exercise improves attention, visual learning, and decision-making skills.
• Better shut-eye - Have issues sleeping? Consider getting in an early morning workout to sleep better later on that night. One study found that adults who exercised at 7 a.m. got better sleep and more deep sleep. It also took less time to hit ZZZland.
• Lowered blood pressure - For overweight individuals, a morning exercise routine may be the answer to get blood pressure number in the normal range. Combining morning exercise with short walking breaks was found to control blood pressure, according to a study published in the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Treadmill walking in particular for 30 minutes in the morning lowered blood pressure over an eight-hour day.

Tips for Working Out in the Morning

Rising with the sun and roosters doesn’t come naturally for everyone. If you can relate, consider these tips for getting motivated to reap the benefits of morning workouts.

Sleep in your workout clothes - Sometimes it’s about removing the barriers that get in the way. If you truly want to make morning workouts a habit, cut out anything that might prevent you from creating the habit. That may just mean your workout clothes double as pajamas.

Be realistic - If you’ve never been a morning person, don’t kid yourself into thinking it’s going to be a cakewalk to wake up earlier and fit in an intense first-day-up-early workout! Start out slow and steady and maybe even slowly get your body used to waking up earlier by setting your alarm clock 15 minutes earlier for several days in a row before gradually getting up 45 minutes or an hour earlier.

Get to sleep earlier - If you’re waking up earlier to get that workout in, ensure you’re still getting enough shut-eye. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep to function properly. If you’re waking up an hour earlier, get to bed an hour earlier to catch quality ZZZs.

Give it time to stick - This goes back to being realistic. Don’t expect to love early mornings combined with gym sessions if you never have. Remind yourself that it’s a new habit and while new habits can be tough, you can do hard things.

Preprogram your coffee maker - Motivate yourself with a cup of coffee to get going. Take advantage of your coffee or espresso maker’s timer setting so your caffeine is brewing and awaiting. Plus, coffee has great health perks, including cutting down on post-workout pains!

Find an accountability buddy - If you don’t trust yourself to get up and get sweating, find another person who is willing to dedicate mornings to workouts. An accountability partner offers motivation and encouragement for those days you’d rather just stay under the covers. 

Countdown from five - Launch yourself out of bed after a brief countdown. Motivational speaker Mel Robbins recommends counting backward from five and then physically moving your body to action. This tricks your brain into getting going, even if you aren’t feeling ready.

Buy a package of fitness classes - Sometimes investing money is the perfect incentive to get in shape. If you hate losing out on money, consider purchasing non-refundable classes at a boutique gym or an online platform to motivate yourself to rise and shine.

Get excited about breakfast - When you workout hard, you need the post-workout fuel to keep your body going. Think about what breakfast will give you a protein and carb mix that’s also healthy. An omelet with spinach and egg whites or overnight oats and a side of Greek yogurt are great options to consider!

The Desoto County Dream Center Blood Drive is THIS SATURDAY, May 1st from 10:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. and we're excited to have it at Trinity Health Center. In addition to the Blood Drive, the DeSoto County Dream Center will also have a bounce house for kids and the 2 Buck Grilled Cheese Truck on-hand for families who attend. 

In order to effectively uphold social distancing, appointments are strongly encouraged.

To schedule an appointment:
• Call Vitalant at 877.258.4825
• Or go to vitalant.org, CLICK DONATE NOW then ENTER sponsor code: ddc

Vitalant is also testing blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies to find potential convalescent plasma donors. • Learn more at Vitalant.org/antibodytest

In an effort to share the faces behind our organization, we're shining a spotlight on our Planning Team, Volunteers, and Board Members who have worked tirelessly to get Trinity Health Center open to provide health and healing to the working uninsured and underinsured neighbors in DeSoto County.

This week, we're spotlighting Trinity Health Center Volunteer, Gail Mays. Gail was instrumental in helping with donor management. 

What excites you most about Trinity Health Center's mission and purpose?
Serving God here on Earth.
​
What are some of your favorite places in our County to enjoy a healthy lifestyle? 
Forever Young, an active living program in Southaven, that offers a variety of activities to keep Southaven residents 60 years of age and older active within the community.

Interested in learning more? Visit the City of Southaven’s website or call 662-895-1138 or email retire@southaven.org

What is your favorite quote or bible verse?
"God is good all the time."

We are so thankful for Gail's dedication to donor management and retention for Trinity Health Center. ​

As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be rolled out across Mississippi, there's a lot of information being made available to you. 

Trinity Health Center is hosting COVID-19 Vaccine Info Sessions for DeSoto Countians interested or hesitant about the available vaccinations. COVID-19 Vaccine Info Sessions will be held Thursday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until noon and Fridays from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. throughout June.

Call 662-830-3827 to schedule your appointment. You do not have to be a Trinity Health Center patient to attend an info session. There will be no vaccines given out during this info session.
​
If you're interested in receiving your vaccine, they are now open to all Mississippians. Check the Mississippi Department of Health website at www.msdh.ms.gov to sign up for your vaccine.

"True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment." - William Penn

This #WorldSleepDay, Trinity Health Center is here to remind you how important sleep is for your health and wellness.

Sleep ensures your body is recharged and ready for the next day.

? It improves brain function, memory, and problem-solving skills.

? It also boosts immunity and lowers stress levels.

? More importantly, sleep prevents excess weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease.

Trinity Health Center has come a long way since its inception in November 2020! As a valued leader in the community, we want to treat you to lunch and let you know how we are serving the health needs of the uninsured of DeSoto County.

​You’ll see and hear the heart of Trinity Health Center as well as learn about the exciting ways your organization can be involved. We are eager to meet with area leaders and businesses to share this unique charitable opportunity!

*Click the link below to RSVP or email bcantrell@lfchurch.tv by March 4, 2021.