Embry Takes MHA Leadership Role
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Jessica Embry has served as CEO of Yalobusha Health Services since 2020.
WATER VALLEY — Yalobusha General Hospital & Nursing Home CEO Jessica Embry has been elected chair-elect of the Mississippi Hospital Association Board of Governors, placing the Water Valley healthcare leader in line to become chairman of the statewide organization in 2027.
The Mississippi Hospital Association represents hospitals throughout the state, advocating for legislation, healthcare policy and initiatives aimed at improving patient care. Its Board of Governors is made up of hospital executives who help guide the organization’s priorities and represent healthcare providers before state leaders.
Embry has served on the board for the past three years and recently began a second three-year term. During that time, she said she has seen firsthand the value the association brings to hospitals of every size.
“I believe in that association,” Embry said. “They’ve been good to advocate and fight for not just small hospitals, but all hospitals across the state. Anything that would improve healthcare delivery or patient outcomes, they’ve always been a big proponent of.”
She said smaller hospitals often lack the resources to maintain their own legal and legislative staff.
“We can’t afford all of that,” she said. “The association is really good to offer those resources.”
Embry said she was surprised when she received a phone call asking if she would consider serving as chair-elect.
“They said they thought I would be a good fit for the position and asked if I would consider it. I told them it was a big role and I had a lot to learn, but I think it’s good to keep growing, so I said yes.”
Embry said the position will provide an opportunity to advocate not only for Yalobusha General but also for rural hospitals facing many of the same challenges.
“For us locally, anything that we’re seeing that we need help with, I think I’ll have a voice in Madison and even at the Capitol in Jackson to say, ‘We’re living and breathing this, and we need some help,’” she said.
She said she regularly talks with administrators from hospitals across Mississippi who are experiencing similar issues.
“I’ll be able to share the needs of the small hospitals to be able to keep on keeping on,” Embry said. “No matter what anybody says, we are needed.”
While many healthcare systems have consolidated into larger regional networks, Embry said community hospitals continue to play a critical role by providing care close to home.
“We have patients who tell us, ‘If I can’t come here, I don’t want to go,’” she said.
Embry credited the hospital’s employees for Yalobusha General’s continued success during a time when many rural hospitals have struggled financially.
“That goes back to all the employees who believe in this place and believe in our community,” she said. “There are multiple people who day in and day out just want this place to be good and want it to succeed.”
She said having dedicated employees committed to serving the community has been one of the hospital’s greatest strengths.
“It’s not always easy,” Embry said, “but it sure does help to have strong people on your team.”
