True North - Your Destination for Better Health

Preparing for surgery can feel overwhelming, especially if it's your first procedure. In this episode of True North, general surgeon Dr. Hoat Hoang shares what patients can expect from the moment surgery is scheduled through recovery at home. Learn how your care team works together to keep you safe, what questions to ask before surgery and why patience plays such an important role in healing. Whether you're facing an upcoming procedure or supporting a loved one, this conversation offers practical guidance and peace of mind.

Obesity is a chronic disease that affects millions of Americans and increases the risk of serious health conditions including diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and heart disease. But effective treatment options are available.

In this episode of True North, we sit down with bariatric surgeons Dr. Terry Pinson and Dr. Will Cauthen to discuss weight loss surgery, obesity treatment and the comprehensive bariatric program at North Mississippi Health Services.

During this conversation, they explain:

The surgeons also share real patient success stories and discuss how comprehensive obesity treatment can help people regain their health, improve their quality of life and return to the activities they love.

Whether you're considering bariatric surgery, exploring medical weight loss options or simply looking to better understand obesity as a disease, this episode provides expert guidance to help you make informed decisions about your health.

Learn how advanced surgical expertise, innovative technology and personalized hometown care are helping patients transform their lives through sustainable weight loss.

In this episode of We're All Heart, Dr. Barry Bertolet sits down with Dr. Baker Boler to unpack the silent threat of hypertension. From understanding what those blood pressure numbers really mean to exploring lifestyle changes, medications, and even groundbreaking procedures like renal denervation, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to take control of their heart health. Whether you're newly diagnosed or managing long-term hypertension, you'll walk away with actionable insights and hope for better outcomes.

In Episode 7 of We're All Heart, host Dr. Barry Bertolet sits down with cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Jim Stone to demystify arrhythmias—from the everyday nuisance to life-threatening emergencies.

Learn how smartwatches are revolutionizing early detection
Discover the difference between AFib and atrial flutter
️ Explore cutting-edge treatments like pulse field ablation (PFA)
⚡ Hear how electrophysiologists fix the “electrical wiring” of the heart
Find out how arrhythmia care is evolving in North Mississippi

Whether you're curious about your own heart rhythm or supporting a loved one, this episode offers expert insights and hope for healing.

Subscribe for more episodes featuring local experts in heart & vascular care.
Brought to you by North Mississippi Health Services in partnership with Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube.
New episodes drop every other week.

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Join Dr. Barry Bertolet and Dr. Michael Boler in this compelling episode of We're All Heart as they dive deep into Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)—a minimally invasive procedure that saves lives by restoring blood flow to the heart. Learn how stents are deployed, the use of the Impella device for patients with heart failure, and how advanced cardiac care is transforming outcomes at North Mississippi Health Services. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this episode offers valuable insights into modern cardiology practices.

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Presented by North Mississippi Health Services in partnership with Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi.

A message from NMHS CEO Shane Spees:

Reflecting on this past year, I am reminded of a recent interaction I had with a friend and member of our community. Her family member was receiving care at our facilities, and she recognized our team’s “exceptional innovation, dedication and compassion”. She detailed how our team’s care and support made a significant difference in her loved one’s recovery journey. She also lifted an idea about how we could even further enhance their experiences by making simple changes to our processes. The whole interaction was a powerful reminder of the impact we have on the lives of those we serve. It was also an affirmation of the mission I know we work toward every day – to continuously improve the health of the people of our region.

I’m excited we will continue to leverage A. G.R.E.A.T. Strategy to guide our efforts. Your feedback and leadership bring our strategy to life. Continuing our journey of improving communication flow and helping you better understand our strategy, I am pleased to introduce the final episode of our podcast series. This episode addresses the questions and feedback we received from you throughout the series. We have an opportunity to share more feedback coming up this week as our Employee Engagement Survey launches Sept. 11!

As you can see from the positive difference we’re making every day and our future plans to continue that work, your feedback shapes our shared success. Your commitment to our shared True North – our patients – drives us forward.

In this powerful episode of We're All Heart, host Dr. Barry Bertolet welcomes Dr. David Talton, cardiothoracic surgeon at North Mississippi Medical Center, to discuss the cutting-edge world of minimally invasive heart surgery. Learn how procedures like TAVR and MitraClip are helping patients avoid traditional open-heart surgery, recover faster and enjoy a better quality of life. Dr. Talton shares his journey, the evolution of cardiac care in Tupelo, and the importance of selecting the right procedure for each patient. With over 900 TAVRs and nearly 200 MitraClips performed, this episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of heart health.

Presented by North Mississippi Health Services in partnership with Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi.

Join Dr. Barry Bertolet and electrophysiologist Dr. Karthik Prasad from North Mississippi Medical Center as they break down everything you need to know about pacemakers in this episode of We’re All Heart. Learn how pacemakers treat slow heart rates, heart failure, and bundle branch block, and discover the latest innovations like leadless and conduction system pacing. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or curious viewer, this episode offers expert insights into symptoms, treatment options, and what to expect with a pacemaker in 2025.

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Presented by North Mississippi Health Services in partnership with Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi.

In this episode of We’re All Heart, Dr. Barry Bertolet sits down with Dr. Murray Estess, a non-invasive cardiologist and echocardiography expert at North Mississippi Health Services. Together, they explore the power of 3D echocardiography—how it works, what it reveals, and why it’s transforming patient care.

From diagnosing heart valve disease and congenital defects to planning surgeries and detecting rare tumors, Dr. Estess explains how this advanced imaging technology brings the heart into sharper focus—without a single incision. You’ll also hear about his journey from pharmacy to cardiology, what brought him back to Mississippi, and what “True North” means to him and the team.

Tune in to discover how a “deep bench” of specialists is making a difference in heart health across the region.