Advanced Aortic Care Now Available Close to Home at Forrest Health

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (March 27, 2026) For years, many patients in the Pine Belt have had to travel outside the area for specialized vascular procedures and advanced treatment options. Forrest Health has been working hard to change that. By expanding its capabilities and introducing new technology, Forrest Health is making it possible for patients to receive high-quality, advanced care close to home which means less travel, fewer disruptions for families, and the comfort of recovering in a familiar place surrounded by a strong support system.

That progress is being led by physicians with deep roots in the community. Having returned to the Pine Belt in August 2024, Dr. Colton Lott, DO, a vascular surgeon with Hattiesburg Clinic Vascular Specialists, is grateful to practice near family. His parents live nearby, and his wife is from Ellisville.

“I wanted to serve the communities where I grew up,” he said. “I’m grateful to bring new technologies and procedures to this area.”

Dr. Lott recently introduced two advanced procedures to the Hattiesburg area for the first time — the Gore Thoracic Branch Endograft and the Cook Medical Bare-metal Dissection Stent.

Dr. Lott credited the dedicated Forrest General Hospital operating room team for their expertise and collaboration.

“I’m very thankful to work with an excellent team in the OR,” he said. “The team is always very important in procedures like these. Vascular surgery is different from traditional surgery, and these grafts involve unique techniques. It’s incredibly helpful to work with the same dedicated team each time.”

The Gore Thoracic Branch Endograft is a minimally invasive, FDA-approved device used to treat complex conditions of the aorta, including aneurysms, dissections and penetrating ulcers. An aortic aneurysm occurs when there is a weakness in the wall of the aorta, the body’s largest artery. If left untreated, an aneurysm can rupture or tear, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding and damage to vital organs.

The Gore device allows physicians to repair the damaged area without open surgery while preserving blood flow to the left subclavian artery, which supplies blood to the left arm. This approach simplifies thoracic endovascular aortic repair and offers patients a less invasive option with promising outcomes.

In this case, Dr. Lott also used the Cook Medical Bare-metal Dissection Stent to treat an aortic dissection — a serious tear in the aorta that creates an abnormal pathway for blood flow. When this occurs, blood can move into the wrong space instead of following its normal route. The stent helps close the tear and guide blood back into the proper channel, reducing pressure on the damaged area and supporting healing.

Originally from Beaumont, Dr. Lott completed his general surgery residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson and a vascular surgery fellowship at Prisma Health in Greenville, South Carolina, before returning home to begin his practice.

Through advanced technology, a highly-skilled team, and physicians committed to serving their hometown communities, Forrest Health continues to expand access to specialized care across the Pine Belt.

One of the strengths of Forrest Health is its regional network of hospitals and clinics working together to support patients who may need a higher level of care. This collaborative system allows patients to begin care close to home and seamlessly connect to advanced treatment when needed, ensuring they receive the right care while staying within a trusted network of providers. Through advanced technology, a highly skilled team, and physicians committed to serving their hometown communities, Forrest Health continues to expand access to specialized care across South Mississippi.

For more information, visit ForrestHealth.org .