History: Jaquith University
Jaquith University began as a “referral conference” which would familiarize individuals with Jaquith Nursing Home's campus, and staff. Counteracting the stigma associated with JNH's proximity to a psychiatric facility ( Mississippi State Hospital ) was an important goal. By hosting a “referral conference” JNH built rapport with those who refer potential residents. The first “conference” was held in 2003; a second was held in 2006. By 2007, JNH leadership solidified its intentions to host the event annually and to research ways to benefit everyone involved.
In 2008, “ Jaquith University ” celebrates its inaugural class. The name was chosen to mirror the collegiate appearance of JNH's campus and note the continuing education credits that are offered to each “classmate” as a service free of charge. The logo reflects a footbridge and names the main purpose of Jaquith University – to build bridges through mutually beneficial relationships with other healthcare professionals.
Affiliation: Jaquith Nursing Home
In its five “Inns,” JNH has a total of 418 long-term care beds. Each Inn is separately licensed and accredited by the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Also, in 2001, JNH earned the gold seal of approval by the Joint Commission and enjoys their continued support of the services provided. JNH offers two special care units (one male, one female) for individuals with decreased cognitive functioning or increased behavior management needs. In addition to the services one would expect from a nursing home, JNH also offers some unique services
such as physician availability 24/7 for any resident. JNH's philosophy is best said in a quote by Walter Hathaway: “Our residents do not live in a facility; we work in their home.”
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Mississippi's elderly population was growing and resources to provide care for them were limited and decreasing. Dr. William L. Jaquith (JNH founder and namesake) opened the first nursing home on the hospital's Whitfield campus in June 1976. Although managed by Mississippi State Hospital , JNH is licensed and accredited separately from MSH and is nearly the largest nursing home in the Southeast United States . JNH is not a "psychiatric" nursing home; it operates as private nursing homes do, accepting individuals determined appropriate for long-term care. |
