Community Health
Bolivar Medical Center
Cleveland, Mississippi
Population: 14,000 :: Service Area: 50,000
Located in the heart of the legendary Mississippi Delta, home to some of the most fertile farmland in America, Cleveland, Mississippi offers a rich Southern heritage and a strong tradition of hospitality that embraces newcomers with a warm and friendly welcome.
The Hospital
Bolivar Medical Center (BMC) is a 165-bed acute-care general hospital that includes a 35-bed nursing home. BMC’s medical campus also features the Medical Office Building and an Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility with staff offering adult and pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapy as well as an aquatic therapy program.
In the past three years, LifePoint has invested roughly $10M in capital additions to BMC, including 64-slice CT, digital mammography, exterior and interior renovations, medical office building, geriatric psych unit, and wound care center. Additionally, the hospital is in the process of adding several new services, including hyperbaric wound care, swing bed, and in-patient geriatric psychiatric services. In the past two years, 15 new doctors have joined our medical staff roster of more than 100 physicians.
BMC is a vital member of the Cleveland community and Bolivar County. It is the third largest employer in the county and supports the community through numerous sponsorships, participation in boards, committees, and civic organizations, and wellness initiatives such as smoking cessation classes, Weight Watchers and breast cancer awareness.
The Community
Conveniently located halfway between Memphis, Tennessee and Jackson, Mississippi, Cleveland is just 20 miles due east of the Mississippi River. With a population of 14,000 (Bolivar County has a population of over 50,000), Cleveland offers a small town charm with the educational and cultural opportunities of a much bigger city. Delta State University, a school of 4,000 students, provides an abundance of activities, classes, and educational opportunities for both adults and children. Undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees are available in a variety of disciplines. The school’s 1,200-seat Bologna Performing Arts Center serves as a hub for the city’s rich cultural life, offering theater, dance, symphonies and musical performances. Fielding Wright Art Center is a spacious gallery that exhibits contemporary art by regional, national and international artists. Two 2-year junior colleges are less than an hour away: Mississippi Delta Community College and Coahoma Community College. Cleveland’s downtown shopping district has earned the nickname the “Shopping Mecca of the Delta,” featuring unique gift shops, fashionable clothing stores, even a day spa.
Recreation
Hunting and fishing opportunities abound in Bolivar County. There are seven lakes for fishermen to try their luck with bream, crappie, bass and catfish. Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge is an important habitat for waterfowl and an excellent spot for bird watching and seasonal public hunting. There are two local golf courses, and the Great River Road State Park, 18 miles west of Cleveland on the Mississippi River, offers campgrounds, picnic areas and a lookout tower to view the Mississippi River. Cleveland’s Park Commission maintains 12 local parks, including Bear Pen Park with a modern baseball complex. The city features a strong athletic program for children and adults: baseball, softball, football, basketball, soccer and volleyball.