At St. Dominic Health, the mission goes far beyond providing excellent medical care — it’s about serving with faith, compassion, and a deep commitment to the community.
LeeAnn Prisk, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, director of professional practice and research, has seen firsthand how the ministry’s purpose shapes the care patients receive every day.
A Health Ministry Rooted in Faith
“It’s not your average hospital,” LeeAnn says. “It’s not your average healthcare. It’s an expanded purpose based on Christian values.”
That expanded purpose is at the heart of everything St. Dominic’s does. It’s about meeting people where they are, providing not only medical care but also emotional and spiritual support — especially for those who might not have the means to access healthcare otherwise.
“We want to share God’s word with the community,” LeeAnn explains. “We have the ability to provide for those in need, and we really just want people to want to come here.”
Listening to Patients, Learning from Families
At St. Dominic Health, care doesn’t stop at the bedside. The community is actively involved in shaping how care is provided.
“We have our Patient Family Advisory Council,” LeeAnn says. “We love bringing in previous patients, previous family members and community members to help shape the care we give.”
This deep connection with the people they serve is what makes St. Dominic’s special. It’s not just about treating patients — it’s about ensuring they feel heard, valued and supported at every step.
Moments That Make a Difference
Although LeeAnn no longer works at the bedside, she still hears stories that remind her why St. Dominic’s is so special. One, in particular, stands out.
A patient was in their final moments, and their daughter was overwhelmed with grief. An environmental services team member — a person whose job isn’t medical, but essential — stepped forward.
“She laid her hand on the daughter’s back and asked, ‘Can I pray with you?’” LeeAnn recalls.
That moment made all the difference.
“People may not think about that,” she says. “We think about our nursing team members. We think about our doctors. We don’t think about all of the ancillary team that really impacts our mission so much each day. And just that little bit? She’ll remember it forever.”
When Purpose Meets Profession
LeeAnn wasn’t actively looking for a job when she joined St. Dominic’s in 2021. Like so many others during the pandemic, she felt a pull toward something more.
“Something was just weighing on my heart that I wasn’t quite where I needed to be,” she says.
She had just completed her doctorate when she started looking at job openings. St. Dominic’s was the first one she saw. LeeAnn has previously worked in two other markets within our health system, Our Lady of the Lake and Our Lady of the Angels, where her mom is a team member.
“I thought about it for a couple of days, and I said, you know, something keeps calling me back to this health system.”
That feeling turned out to be right. During her interview with her current colleagues, she realized that this was the right place for her.
“It just fit,” she says. “It was an instant connection. And I’ve been happy ever since.”
Expanding Care to Serve More Mississippians
As St. Dominic Health continues to grow, its mission remains the same. The transition to the name St. Dominic’s Health, fully integrated with the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, reflects the breadth of care they provide — not just at the hospital, but throughout the region.
“We do so much here at St. Dominic’s,” LeeAnn says. “Just adding that little piece to the name helps us show the community everything we’re doing.”
That commitment extends beyond hospital walls. From clinics to community outreach programs, St. Dominic’s is dedicated to serving Central Mississippi and beyond.
“We’re touching lives in the community every day,” LeeAnn says.
A Symbol of Faith and Healing
The addition of the Tau symbol to St. Dominic Health logo is another meaningful change. Having worked in other markets, LeeAnn understands the deep significance behind it.
“It’s going to carry so much symbolism for our community,” she says. “Just to have that Christian symbol as a beacon for St. Dominic Health is going to be amazing.”
A Team United in Mission
LeeAnn has worked in multiple hospitals, but the sense of teamwork at St. Dominic’s stands out.
“The nursing team here is truly a team,” she says. “If we need something, we support one another. The leadership team is a cohesive group, and it’s something very exciting to be a part of.”
That spirit of collaboration, paired with a deep-rooted mission, is what makes St. Dominic’s different.
When asked to share one message about St. Dominic’s, LeeAnn says she has two. “We are a faith-based organization that you won’t find anywhere else in this area. The teamwork, the compassion — it’s unmatched,” she says.
“But we’re also giving world-class health care every single day.”
For St. Dominic’s, the transformation to St. Dominic Health is more than a symbol. It’s our commitment. Learn more.
