Health briefs - September 2012

MERGEN NAMED MINERAL AREA CEO

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Lynn Mergen was named chief executive officer for Mineral Area Regional Medical Center by the hospital's board of trustees and Capella Healthcare, effective Aug. 1. He has approximately 20 years of experience in health care leadership roles, most recently as chief operating officer of TMC Inc. in Sarasota, Fla., where he provided operational oversight for more than 60 medical and chiropractic clinics. He previously served as CEO at various hospitals.

P.B. CANCER CENTER ACCREDITED

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center's Danny Bell Radiation Oncology Center was again granted three-year accreditation with commendation by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. To achieve accreditation, the center demonstrated a commendation level of excellence in a cancer program including leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research community outreach and quality improvement.

THROWER NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DEXTER, Mo. -- Lisa Thrower was named executive director of the Regional Healthcare Foundation, the Daily Statesman reported. She has volunteered with the foundation for four years and worked part-time with the prescription assistance program for three years. She has 28 years of experience in counseling and social work. Thrower replaces Yvonne Hall, who became interim executive director when Diane Mitchell left the post in July 2011.

HEALTHIER LOOK MAGAZINE EARNS NATIONAL AWARD

SoutheastHEALTH's Healthier Look magazine took the top spot in its category in the 29th annual Healthcare Advertising Awards, sponsored by Healthcare Marketing Report. Nearly 4,000 entries were received, and a national panel of judges gave awards to entries with exceptional quality, creativity and effectiveness. Southeast's quarterly magazine won the Gold Award in the category of external publications for hospitals with fewer than 299 beds. The magazine is produced by Southeast's Marketing and Corporate Communications Departments in association with marketing firm Krames StayWell.

ALLCOCK EARNS HYPERTENSION DESIGNATION

Dr. Darren Allcock, an endocrinologist with Southeast Endocrinology, earned American Society of Hypertension designation as a specialist in clinical hypertension. He is one of three specialists between St. Louis and Memphis, Tenn., to hold the designation.

SAINT FRANCIS ADDS BARIATRIC SURGERY

Dr. Ryan Andrew LeGrand

Weight Loss Solutions is now open at Saint Francis Medical Center. Led by general surgeon Dr. Ryan Andrew LeGrand, the program offers multiple options in bariatric surgery for people with ongoing weight problems who are considering a lasting lifestyle change. Weight Loss Solutions offers sleeve gastrectomy, gastric banding and Roux-En-Y gastric bypass. The office is on the hospital campus at 211 Saint Francis Drive in Cape Girardeau.

CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN OPENS OFFICE

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Dr. Kendrck Morris, a chiropractic physician, opened an office in the New Madrid County Health Department building at 406 U.S. 61. He is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays to provide chiropractic services to New Madrid County residents. He also owns and operates Missouri Upper Cervical Family Clinic in Cape Girardeau.

TIP HOSPICE ADDS THREE

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- VNA-TIP HealthCare hired three registered nurses for its TIP Hospice team in Farmington: Lori Stringer of Caledonia, Mo., and Robin Sidi and Amanda Crites, both of Farmington.

HEALTH DEPT. HONORS MOSS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Sharon Moss was homemaker of the month for July at the Butler County Health Department.

Dr. Muhammad Naseeruddin

SIKESTON DOCTOR MAINTAINS BOARD CERTIFICATION

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Dr. Muhammad Naseeruddin of Missouri Delta Medical Center completed requirements to maintain board certification in internal medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine. Physicians must periodically complete requirements to maintain their certification with the ABIM, including passing an examination and completing a self-assessment of knowledge and practice.

MEDICAL PARTNER OFFICES RELOCATE

Cape Primary Care, a medical partner with Saint Francis Medical Center, moved into the expanded Immediate Convenient Care facility at 1702 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. The expanded space includes an enhanced electronic medical records system, a digital X-ray machine and a skilled staff of physicians and nurse practitioners. Additionally, Cape Cardiology Group moved to the lower level of Saint Francis' Heart Hospital at 211 Saint Francis Drive. The six cardiologists working there now have easier access to hospital resources, technology and a team of cardiac experts under one roof.

SOUTHEAST AMONG BEST REGIONAL HOSPITALS

Southeast Hospital ranks as one of the nation's Best Regional Hospitals for 2012 and 2013, according to U.S. News & World Report. Southeast is one of only 16 metro and non-metro hospitals in Missouri -- and the only one in Southeast Missouri -- to be recognized by the magazine. Southeast ranks 10th in the state for high performance in one of 16 medical specialties. Southeast was lauded as "high performing" in urology for the second year in a row.

BONNE TERRE HOSPITAL VIDEO GETS TELLY AWARD

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- A video about Bonne Terre Hospital's 100-year history earned a 2012 Telly Award and also received the silver level, the highest award for this annual competition, reported the Park Hills Daily Journal. Bonne Terre Hospital, which opened in 1911, is a predecessor to Parkland Health Center. The 14-minute video, produced by BJC Media Services in conjunction with Parkland Health Center, won in the film/video division under the category of history/biography. The video can be viewed at parklandhealthcenter.org/history.

Verlene Luna

LUNA NAMED MEDICAL PARTNERS ADMINISTRATOR

Verlene Luna was named administrator of Saint Francis Medical Partners. In this role, she will provide leadership for all operational, financial and administrative aspects of Saint Francis' Medical Partners network. Luna previously worked with several health care systems in developing employed physician networks, most recently as consultant and administrator for Internal Medicine Associates of Southeast Missouri in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

OGLES JOINS UROLOGY ASSOCIATES

Dr. Mitchell L. Ogles joined the staff at Cape Girardeau Urology Associates Inc. His office is at 3 Doctors' Park in Cape Girardeau.

SAINT FRANCIS ONE OF BEST PLACES TO WORK

Saint Francis Medical Center was named one of the top 100 "Best Places to Work in Healthcare" by Modern Healthcare magazine for the fifth consecutive year. Saint Francis was the only hospital in the state named to the 2012 list. To earn membership in this group, Saint Francis' policies, practices, benefits and demographics were thoroughly reviewed. In addition, a randomly selected group of 350 employees were asked in-depth questions about eight core areas: leadership and planning, culture and communications, role satisfaction, working environment, relationship with supervisor, training and development, pay and benefits and overall satisfaction. Modern Healthcare will reveal the ranked order of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare at an awards gala Oct. 9 in Nashville, Tenn. Results will be posted on modernhealthcare.com and published in a supplement to Modern Healthcare magazine Oct. 15.

LOCAL PHYSICIAN HONORED BY PEERS

Dr. Ahmad Z. Sheikh

The American College of Endocrinology, the educational and scientific arm of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, inducted Dr. Ahmad Z. Sheikh of Cape Diabetes and Endocrinology as a fellow during the AACE Annual Scientific and Clinical Congress held May 26 in Philadelphia. Designation as a fellow of the American College of Endocrinology (FACE) means an endocrinologist has achieved a level of training and experience consistent with the high standards established and adopted by the clinical endocrinology specialty. To be accepted, Sheikh had to be a member in good standing of AACE and meet the qualifications of one of five routes to FACE distinction. He is the only endocrinologist in the area with the designation.

KOLMER NAMED TO LEADERSHIP ROLES AT CHATEAU

Mark A. Kolmer was appointed administrator and chief financial officer at Chateau Girardeau. Kolmer recently relocated from the Indianapolis area, where he served as chief financial officer for MicroMetl Corp.

WITHERS RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Lois Withers of the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau received the Professional Appearance Award at the National Association of Health Care Assistants annual "Key to Quality" awards banquet held June 28 in Oklahoma City. The association presented awards in 22 categories selected from more than 36,000 members. The Professional Appearance Award is given to a CNA or direct caregiver who sets standards for appropriate duty apparel. The member is recognized for their ability to dress for success as a caregiver and for displaying pride in their work through professional dress and appearance.

PRESBYTERIAN MANOR, HOSPICE PRESENT SERVICE AWARDS

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Presbyterian Manor and Presbyterian Hospice marked employee service accomplishments at a luncheon July 12. Recognized for 15 years of service were Susie Forshee, assisted living LPN; Lisa Barron, administrative services accounting assistant; Tammy Perry, laundry services assistant; and Becky Waller, administrative services accounting assistant. Those recognized for five years were Amanda Bullock, housekeeping assistant; Tonnia Cox, cook; Jennifer Hale, social services director; Danielle Marshall, activity assistant; Rodney Quinton, hospice director; and Carol Winch, activity director.

HEALTH NETWORK OPENS IN SENATH

SENATH, Mo. -- SEMO Health Network opened a new facility July 26 in Senath, reported the Daily Dunklin Democrat. It is in the former medical clinic on North Main Street, near the fire department.

SAINT FRANCIS ADDS PERINATOLOGIST

Saint Francis Medical Center added Dr. Naomi Lyn Wahl as a medical partner at Cape Perinatology Services. Wahl, a perinatologist, specializes in problems during pregnancy, with a focus on diabetes during pregnancy. She previously worked for 10 years at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu.

MCCEARLEY JOINS CAPE CARDIOLOGY

Saint Francis Medical Center added Dr. Sandra S. McCearley, a cardiologist/electrophysiologist, as a medical partner at Cape Cardiology Group.

Mike Dozier

DOZIER FEATURED IN IT MAGAZINE

SoutheastHEALTH's Mike Dozier, who spearheaded development of the Servir Data Center and electronic medical records for the health care system, was singled out as one of five "young bloods" -- clinicians, administrators and IT staff members younger than 35 -- in health information technology by Health Data Management magazine. Dozier, the 29-year-old regional information officer for SoutheastHEALTH, has held senior level management positions with hospitals in various states since his mid-20s. He joined Southeast in April 2011 to help usher in new information technology. As part of that project, he helped coordinate a partnership with Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo., for operation of a brand-new data center.

As a result, both hospitals have reduced overall costs and created a system that allows health care providers to access medical records from anywhere and lays the groundwork for the use of telemedicine throughout the region.