Health briefs

KENNETT, Mo. -- Ashish Anand, MD, orthopedic surgeon, joined the staff at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center.

HOME HEALTH EARNS HONOR

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff Home Health Services, an Amedisys Company, was named to the 2009 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of top-performing U.S. home health agencies. The annual review identifies the top 25 percent of agencies and highlights the top 100 and top 500 overall. Winners are ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, quality improvement and financial performance.

HOMEMAKER DOVER HONORED

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Butler County Health Department named Connie Dover Homemaker of the Month for December. She works for the department's satellite office in Ellington, Mo.

SELECT PHYSICAL THERAPY MOVES

Select Physical Therapy relocated Dec. 21 to the former Joey's Seafood Grill location, 155 Siemers Drive, Suite A, Cape Girardeau. An open house is planned for Jan. 21. Jason Mulholland, work strategies manager, said the previous location at 240 S. Mount Auburn Road no longer suited their needs.

SOUTHEAST RANKS HIGH FOR STROKE TREATMENT

For the second year in a row, Southeast Missouri Hospital ranks in the top 10 in Missouri for treatment of stroke. The hospital ranks No. 7 statewide, according to the latest ratings by HealthGrades, the nation's leading independent health care ratings organization. Southeast is the only provider of stroke care in the Southeast Missouri region to receive a top 10 ranking. HealthGrades recognized the hospital's five-star rated stroke program at a Dec. 8 ceremony in the hospital lobby.

PARKLAND HEALTH RECOGNIZED

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- Parkland Health Center-Bonne Terre was recognized by the American Hospital Association for 50 years of membership in the organization. Paul Muraca of the AHA presented a plaque to Carol Coulter, administrator of Parkland Health Center-Bonne Terre.

QUIK CARE HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Dec. 15 for Cape Quik Care, 2131 William St. The walk-in urgent care facility treats sudden illnesses and minor injuries and offers drug tests, physicals and pregnancy tests.

HOSPITAL NAMES EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital announced employee of the year awards at its annual Christmas party Dec. 5. Those honored include Julie Kohm, Outstanding Director Award; Ann Gegg, Outstanding Employee Award; and Amanda Frentzel, Nursing Excellence of the Year Award. Each winner received a plaque, a letter of recognition from CEO Tom Keim, a $500 bonus and a reserved parking space for one year. Their photos will be displayed in the hospital for one year. The hospital also recognized employees for years of service, including eight individuals who began work at the hospital when it opened 40 years ago. They are Jeanette Wood, Leon Schilly, Mary Pfaff, Betty Joggerst, Armella Huck, Judy Grass, Sharen Gettinger and Melinda Fisher.

KINDER INITIATED TO COLLEGE OF SURGEONS

Dr. John R. Kinder was among 1,259 people worldwide who became Fellows of the American College of Surgeons during convocation ceremonies at the recent 95th annual Clinical Congress in Chicago. Kinder is a practicing partner with Eye Consultants in Cape Girardeau.

BOOTHEEL GROUPS AWARDED GRANTS

ST. LOUIS -- Two nonprofits in the Missouri Bootheel received a total of $31,421 in grants from the Missouri Foundation for Health. The grants come through MFH's Strategic Organizational Development program, which supports specific, short-term interventions that help an organization build capacity, improve efficiency and become more effective in improving Missourians' health. Kenny Rogers Children's Center, Sikeston, Mo., was awarded $16,864 to create a new fundraising plan and resource development committee. Mark Twain Forest Regional Health Alliance, Van Buren, Mo., received $14,557 to support organizational assessment and strategic planning efforts.

VA CLINIC EXPANDS

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- An expansion to the Veterans Clinic on West Columbia Street is expected for completion around Feb. 1. The 3,400-square-foot addition will have a break room, a larger nursing station, more exam rooms, an X-ray machine and women's clinic. Other improvements include enclosing the front porch and expanding the waiting area and lab. The nursing station will accommodate eight nurses and the clinic will have three to four full-time doctors on staff, possibly more. The VA will also add a full-time psych doctor to the staff. American Legion Post 416 and Commander Ken Kelly hosted a September groundbreaking with the Veteran's Administration, Farmington Chamber of Commerce and Brockmiller Construction. The current clinic, which serves seven counties, was completed in August 2006.

HOUSEWORTH JOINS P.B. MEDICAL PARTNERS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff Medical Partners and Physicians Park Health Center announced Stephen W. Houseworth, MD, FACS, joined their medical staff to practice outpatient orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine beginning Jan. 4.