Brookhaven OB-GYN Associates: A Story of Commitment
When Kim Sessums and Steve Mills were third year medical students at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, they began discussing their futures. “We decided we wanted to work together right away,” said Dr. Sessums. “Our goals and priorities in life were basically the same. We’re both Christians, our families were of the utmost importance to us and we wanted to establish ourselves medically in a community where we could provide the highest quality patient care.” With agreed upon objectives, these two young physicians began to look around Mississippi to determine where they could establish themselves. “It was very important to practice in a community not only where we felt good about raising our children, but where we could fulfill a medical need. We also wanted to be affiliated with a hospital willing to provide state-of-the-art equipment so we, in turn, could practice state-of-the-art obstetrics and gynecology”, said Dr. Sessums. Although they received data statewide, Dr. Sessums and Dr. Mills were both impressed with Brookhaven. After much thought and discussion, the doctors decided Brookhaven was the community they wanted to serve. Brookhaven OB-GYN Associates opened in July 1988.
On August 1, 1990, Brookhaven OB-GYN Associates welcomed Richard Rushing, MD, to its staff. Originally from Forest, Mississippi, Dr. Rushing also received his medical degree and completed his OB-GYN specialty training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Sessums recalls, “Dr. Mills and I were so busy here our first two years we felt like our ability to provide the quality medical care we intended to give might suffer in the future. We wanted to have the time to practice the kind of quality medicine our patients deserve. We couldn’t continue to add new patients far into the future and give that kind of care without additional medical support.” He added with a smile, “The other reason is simply the individual. Richard Rushing is the kind of physician any group would welcome. Dr. Rushing is proud to have chosen Brookhaven as his home. “My wife, Paula and I wanted a good community in which to raise our family, and I wanted an atmosphere where my patients could also be my friends and neighbors,” said Dr. Rushing. “We have certainly found that here. We definitely made the right choice.”
Brookhaven OB-GYN experienced continued growth as they provided top quality medical care to the women of community and surrounding area. In September 2002, Dr. Leigh Cher Langston Gray joined Brookhaven OB-GYN. Dr. Gray is originally from McComb, MS where her father, Dr. Ledon Langston, practiced as an OB-GYN physician for 30 years. Dr. Gray explains "From an early age, in the shadow of my dad, I admired the way he was able to touch so many lives in such a positive way. I have always enjoyed fixing things that were broken, or taking them apart and reassembling them. My job allows me to do both in a wide variety of ways." After joining the practice, Dr. Gray noted "Brookhaven is the perfect place for my family. My husband, Bruce, and I were looking for a small town with a strong medical staff and a solid school system for our children. I am also thankful for the great practice that was already in place before I joined. The four of us (partners) couldn't be more different personalities but our faith and our commitments to our families and our patients make it work. We really enjoy what we do and we hope it shows."
With a continued dedication to quality patient care, Brookhaven OB-GYN Associates looked to add a fifth provider to their team who would share their same values and commitment to the patients. Dr. Carolita Heritage joined the team in August 2019. She was born in Belize, Central America, where her family lived as missionaries and at a young age moved to Kokomo, MS. After completing her residency in Milwaukee, WI, she desired to return to Mississippi to care for the women of her home state. “I am thrilled to be joining this great group of physicians. Women’s health is my calling and I feel blessed to provide care to this incredible community. My husband, Russ, and I fell in love with Brookhaven right away, and can’t wait to become known as locals,” said Dr. Heritage.
With the addition of Dr. Heritage, Dr. Mills decided it was time for a change. After 31 years and delivering approximately 3,927 babies, Dr. Mills has transitioned to a Gynecology practice only. He continues to see patients at the same location but now is able to spend afternoons and nights with his family and grandchildren. Since the clinic opened in 1988, our passion has grown to include women from all over Southwest Mississippi and beyond, yet our physicians continue to offer personalized care in a Christian environment. With spacious primary and secondary waiting areas, the clinic offers an in-house lab for routine blood and urine checks, in-house 3D mammography for your convenience, and a variety of other appropriate diagnostic testing and procedures in a space that offers 16 private exam rooms, an ultrasound suite and a minor surgery suite.
Please call us today at 601-833-8157, to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians.
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