Baptist Anderson offers technology to advance local lung cancer care

MERIDIAN, Miss., Feb. 25, 2026 – Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center recently began offering two advanced technologies for lung cancer detection — Eon, artificial intelligence technology, and Ion, robotic-assisted bronchoscopy technology.

Eon uses AI technology to extract incidental nodule findings, tumors discovered during scans for other medical reasons, and quickly place patients into follow-up care pathways. The technology has helped Baptist Cancer Center detect more than 625 lung cancers throughout the Mid-South since October 2024.

Ion allows physicians to target and assess nodules deep in the peripheral lung, where more than 70% of cancerous nodules may be located, resulting in more accurate lung biopsies and earlier lung cancer detection. With Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy technology, the likelihood of diagnosis increases by 83%.

“We are proud to invest in innovative technology that improves care for our community,” said Dr. Richmond (Ric) Alexander, pulmonologist with Meridian Medical Associates, a department of Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center. “We know that early detection of lung cancer is key to improving patient outcomes. With this technology, we have the advantage of detecting lung cancer early when it is most treatable and patients have more options.”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. However, when diagnosed at the earliest stage, the average five-year survival rate is 92%.

Baptist Cancer Center provides world-class cancer care close to home throughout Baptist Memorial Health Care’s tristate area of Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. Taking an interdisciplinary approach to patient care, Baptist Cancer Center offers treatment, research, support services, community education and the area's first genetic counseling and testing program for cancer. Baptist Cancer Center also has the Mid-South's only adult myelosuppression unit and is one of 45 National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program grant locations across the country offering leading-edge clinical trials. In 2018, Baptist Cancer Center was awarded its second $9 million research grant under NCORP to continue to build its clinical trial infrastructure across the Mid-South. In 2020, Baptist Memorial Health Care launched the Mid-South Miracle, a multifaceted initiative aimed at reducing lung cancer deaths in the Mid-South 25% by 2030. For more information, please visit baptistcancercenter.com, or follow us on Facebook at @baptistcancercenter.

Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center merged with Baptist Memorial Health Care, one of the largest health care systems in the U.S., in January 2024. Founded by Dr. William Jefferson Anderson in 1928, the hospital became the leader in offering premier medical services in Meridian, Mississippi, with 260 patient beds on its north campus and 140 beds on its south campus. Providing unparalleled care in East Central Mississippi and West Central Alabama, Baptist Anderson offers access to the area’s only cancer center, including radiation oncology and medical oncology services, a level III trauma emergency department with helipad service, advanced intensive care and cardiac care units, an obstetrics program with a level III newborn ICU, an inpatient pediatric center, a medically based fitness center and a network of primary care, specialty and rural health clinics. For more information, visit www.baptistonline.org/locations/anderson or follow us on Facebook.com/baptistanderson.

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