Tupelo, MS – March 25, 2025 – North Mississippi Surgery Center, a joint effort between North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC) and several local surgeons, has been named one of the nation’s “Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers for Orthopedics & Spine” and “Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers for Ophthalmology” by U.S. News & World Report. This prestigious recognition—awarded to only 16% of the more than 4,300 evaluated facilities nationwide—underscores the unmatched quality of care available in North Mississippi through this unique partnership.
Excellence in Orthopedic Care
At the heart of this recognition is the exceptional care provided by the surgeons at Orthopaedic Institute of North Mississippi (OINMS)- These providers are Bryan Fagan, MD, Eric Lewis, MD, William Pillow, MD, Gabe Rulewicz, MD and Stephen Southworth, MD. Voted by the community as the Best Medical Clinic and Best Orthopedic Clinic in the 2024 Daily Journal Readers Choice Awards, OINMS is known for their patient-centered, high-quality care, these specialists offer expertise in Foot & Ankle, Hand/Wrist & Elbow, Hip, Knee, Shoulder, Spine, and Sports Medicine. North Mississippi Surgery Center earned this honor based on its high procedural volume, low complication rates, and outstanding surgical outcomes.
Notably, among the 12 ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) providing orthopedic surgery in Mississippi, only four have made U.S. News & World Report’s exclusive list—and of the two in Tupelo, only North Mississippi Surgery Center achieved this recognition. It is the sole facility north of Jackson to receive this honor, highlighting the OINMS surgeons’ and facility staff’s regional leadership in orthopedic care.
“This recognition is a direct reflection of the expertise and dedication of our surgeons and our surgical staff partners,” said Eric Lewis, MD, orthopedic surgeon at OINMS and board member at North Mississippi Medical Center. “We take immense pride in ensuring our patients receive the highest quality orthopedic care right here in our community.”
Leadership in Ophthalmology
In addition to orthopedic excellence, the center was also honored as a top ASC for ophthalmology. This accolade recognizes the outstanding work of the ophthalmologists who perform advanced eye procedures at the center, ensuring residents have access to best-in-class treatment for cataracts and other vision-related conditions. This recognition reinforces the center’s status as a regional leader in specialized surgical care.
Of the 21 ASCs providing ophthalmology surgery in Mississippi, only five made U.S. News & World Report’s list—and of the two in Tupelo, only North Mississippi Surgery Center achieved this recognition. It stands as the only ASC serving North Mississippi to earn this distinction, reinforcing its status as a regional leader in this specialty.
A Strong Community Partnership
North Mississippi Medical Center and the physicians at North Mississippi Surgery Center are deeply woven into the fabric of Tupelo and the broader North Mississippi region. Their longstanding collaboration is built on decades of trust, expertise, and a steadfast commitment to keeping care local. Unlike external entities that may not fully grasp the unique challenges and expectations of our community, this partnership delivers an unparalleled, patient-focused approach.
“The strength of our partnership with OINMS and our other expert surgeons, combined with our shared commitment to patient-first care, sets North Mississippi Surgery Center apart,” said David Wilson, president of NMMC-Tupelo and chief operating officer for North Mississippi Health Services. “Our collaboration ensures that patients receive top-tier surgical care from physicians who live and work in the communities they serve. This is the kind of nuanced, locally attuned excellence that outsiders simply can’t replicate.”
The result of this robust partnership is an award-winning ambulatory surgical center that offers a range of benefits for a variety of specialties, including orthopedics, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, ENT, and plastic surgery. By creating a more efficient environment, the ASC reduces waiting times, facilitates quicker recoveries, and enables patients to return home the same day—all while maintaining top-quality surgical care. U.S. News & World Report has noted that ASCs “offer an ideal balance of patient convenience, high quality, and cost-effective care,” emphasizing the value of this care model in today’s healthcare landscape.
About OINMS
As North Mississippi’s trusted leader in orthopedic care, Orthopedic Institute of North Mississippi has been an integral part of the Tupelo community for decades. Home to five of the region’s longest-tenured and most respected orthopedic surgeons, Drs. Fagan, Lewis, Pillow, Rulewicz and Southworth, OINMS specializes in a wide range of services including
Foot & Ankle, Hand/Wrist & Elbow, Hip, Knee, Shoulder, Spine, and Sports Medicine. The institute also operates a convenient walk-in clinic at its Tupelo location and additional clinics in Amory, Corinth, and Pontotoc, all dedicated to providing exceptional, conservative, patient-focused care.
About NMMC
North Mississippi Health Services provides acute, diagnostic, therapeutic and emergency services through North Mississippi Medical Center hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics, nursing homes and telehealth services. NMMC-Tupelo, our flagship hospital, is home to the only Level 2 trauma center in north Mississippi.
