BUSINESS PERSONNEL

Wade C. Adams has joined MedAmerica HealthNet Inc., the region's first physician-hospital organization, as executive director.

Adams, who will work with hospitals and physicians within the network to coordinate development of HealthNet Blue in the community, most recently served as executive director of the Sunrise Health Group, LLC, a 24-physician management services group in Winston-Salem, N.C.

He previously worked as practice administrator for a seven-physician pediatric group in Fort Wayne, Ind., and as administrator of a 276-bed hospital in Wayne, Mich. He is a graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington and St. Louis University, where he received a master's degree in health administration.

MedAmerica was founded here in June 1994 and includes more than 200 physicians and five area hospitals -- St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau; Dexter Memorial Hospital, Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston and Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville.

The network's health benefit program, HealthNet Blue, was introduced in 1995, and to date, more than 23,000 people have enrolled in the HealthNet Blue family of health insurance products.

Michael Uhls has joined Merrill Lynch as a financial consultant in the Cape Girardeau office at 1371 N. Mount Auburn Road.

Dan Elkins is new president of the Downtown Merchants Association (DMA). Elkins is vice president of Hecht's, 107 N. Main.

Scott Shivelbine and Chris Hutson, retiring association president, were re-elected to seats directors. Judith Ventrella was elected to fill a board vacancy.

Jim Burke was recently honored by AAA Auto Club of Missouri for 10 years service with the company.

He has received the Gold Seal Agent award five consecutive years, and this year received recognition for being a member of the President's Club.

Richard C. Young has been named a representative with The Prudential's St. Charles Agency located in Poplar Bluff.

Young was previously employed by Frito Lay Inc.

He will serve clients in Poplar Bluff and surrounding area.

Dr. Robert Kessinger, a specific chiropractor, was guest speaker at Palmer College of Chiropractic, "Chiropractic Fountainhead" last weekend at Davenport, Iowa.

Kessinger, Kale trained in the specific chiropractic brain stem procedure, discussed the role of specific chiropractic in health care.

Kessinger operates a clinic at 1424 Kurre Lane in Cape Girardeau.

Jane Harte, manager of AAA Travel Agency in Cape Girardeau, recently participated in the West Coast inaugural cruise of the mega-line, Inspiration.

The event was by invitation-only to top-producing travel agencies. It was to familiarize travel agents with the newest ship in the Carnival Fantasy Line.

Michele Tomlinson of Boatmen's Bank and Cathi Schlosser of MVP Communications are co-chairwomen for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's annul membership blitz, to be held May 14.

Theme for the campaign is "Scouting for Recruits -- Join Our Team." The day's activities will start with a kickoff breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at Drury Lodge.

Jim Limbaugh, president of Boatmen's Bank of Cape Girardeau, will be guest speaker at the kickoff breakfast.