Health briefs

__ADJOVU, GIBSON JOIN SAINT FRANCIS__

Saint Francis Medical Center hired two family medicine physicians as medical partners at Cape Primary Care. Dr. Victoria Adjovu and Dr. Erica Gibson joined the practice at 3004 Gordonville Road in Cape Girardeau, focusing on preventive care and wellness. Adjovu's specialties include hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, preventive medicine and thyroid disease. Gibson's clinical interests include obesity management and weight loss, diabetes management and fibromyalgia.

__NGUYEN HIRED AS MEDICAL PARTNER WITH SAINT FRANCIS__

Dr. Erica Gibson

Saint Francis Medical Center hired Dr. Duc T. Nguyen as a medical partner and member of Cape Cardiology Group. He joins Dr. Paul H. Holcomb Jr., Dr. William K. LaFoe and Dr. Clifford R. Talbert. Nguyen's clinical interests include complex peripheral and coronary intervention, catheter-based treatment of structural heart disease and device therapy such as pacemakers and defibrillators for arrhythmia.

__SOUTHEAST GETS HEART ASSOCIATION AWARD__

SoutheastHEALTH received the Get With The Guidelines -- Heart Failure Gold Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. The recognition signifies that Southeast has reached a goal of treating heart failure patients with 85 percent compliance for at least 24 months to core standard levels of care as outlined by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology secondary prevention guidelines for heart failure patients. Get With The Guidelines is a quality improvement initiative that provides hospital staff with tools that follow proven, evidence-based guidelines and procedures in caring for heart failure patients to prevent future hospitalizations.

Dr. Duc T. Nguyen

__WOMEN'S CENTER CUTS RIBBON__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting to open the Imaging and Women's Center at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. The center is at 2588 N. Westwood Blvd.

__BEACON OPENS BENTON OFFICE__

BENTON, Mo. -- Beacon Health Center opened its Benton office Nov. 9, offering primary health care services. The clinic is staffed by nurse practitioners Kathy Blevins, Paul Mackey and Debbie DeLaCruz.

__LAWYER JOINS P.B. HOSPITAL__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Dr. Carl H. Lawyer, a pulmonology and sleep medicine specialist, rejoined the staff at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He is available for inpatient and outpatient consultation on pulmonary-related issues, including acute and chronic respiratory failure, asthma, lung cancer and COPD. He also offers a full range of diagnostics and treatments for sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.

__JUDD JOINS SPORTS MEDICINE CLINIC__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Dr. John H. Judd, orthopedic surgeon, joined the Bluff Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Clinic. He performs a complete range of diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures, including fracture management, carpal tunnel surgery, shoulder and knee arthroscopy, joint reconstruction and replacement and sports medicine.

__MCGATH RELOCATES PRACTICE__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Dr. Rick L. McGath moved his family practice to 2588 N. Westwood Blvd. in Poplar Bluff.

Judy Aslin

__ASLIN NAMED VP/CHIEF NURSING OFFICER__

Judy Aslin was named vice president and chief nursing officer at SoutheastHEALTH. She served most recently as executive director of the Southeast Cancer Center. She replaces longtime vice president and chief nursing officer Dr. Karen Hendrickson, who retired in June. Aslin has worked at Southeast for 28 years, beginning as a nurse assistant in 1983.

__SAINT FRANCIS GETS MARKETING AWARDS__

Saint Francis Medical Center won eight Show-Me Excellence awards from the Missouri Association for Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing. The awards recognize institutions' efforts to educate and inform the community about health-related issues and services. They also acknowledge quality in advertising, marketing and public relations projects produced by health care systems in Missouri. The Missouri Hospital Association announced the awards at its 89th annual convention and trade show in Osage Beach, Mo. Saint Francis received first-place awards in the employee communication projects and video categories; second in the internal publications/routine category; and third in the categories of advertising; cooperative partnerships; external publications/routine; media relations activity/program – mid- to large-size hospital; and special marketing/public relations project.

__PYRAMID NAMED TO ELITE__

Pyramid Home Health Services of Cape Girardeau was named to the 2011 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. Now in its sixth year, the HomeCare Elite identifies the top 25 percent of health care agencies and further highlights the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall. Winners are ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, process measure implementation and financial performance.

__VEIN, LASER CENTER OPENS IN HEART HOSPITAL__

The Vein and Laser Center at Saint Francis Medical Center moved to a new location in the Heart Hospital and Cancer Institute, according to a hospital news release. The center provides advanced treatment and technology for varicose veins.

__BENNETT GETS DENTAL ASSOCIATION AWARD__

Dr. Ross Bennett, a general dentist in Cape Girardeau, received the Outstanding New Dental Leader Award Nov. 4 at the 2011 Missouri Dental Association House of Delegates. The award honors Bennett for his service and leadership as a "new dentist," or one who has practiced for less than 10 years.

__CHATEAU CELEBRATES ADDITION, RENOVATIONS__

Chateau Girardeau held an open house Nov. 20 to celebrate the completion of its $6 million addition and renovation. The 16,000-square-foot addition to the Chateau's health center, known as The Gardens, houses its "Rehab Therapy to Home" program for short-term patients. Sixteen private rooms were added as part of the new rehab facility for a total of 75 rooms at the health center. All rooms in The Gardens were updated with new paint, flooring, curtains and furniture. With the renovation and the conversion of some double rooms into private rooms, there are now 25 private rooms. The project also included upgrades to the Chateau's independent living areas, including its main lobby, event rooms and administrative offices. A fountain and patio area were installed inside the front entrance of the Chateau.

__CALLIS RELOCATES, EXPANDS__

Ken Callis and Associates moved its mental health care facility to 615 N. Broadview St. in Cape Girardeau. The clinic now has a larger waiting area and additional offices, as well as two new licensed clinicians. Mary McIntyre, a licensed psychological counselor, has worked with children and families in mental health and school settings for 25 years. Dr. Shawn Guiling is an instructor at Southeast Missouri State University; he has worked as a school psychologist and has experience in mental health settings.

__SAINT FRANCIS NAMED FIT-FRIENDLY COMPANY__

Saint Francis Medical Center was recognized as a platinum-level Start! Fit-Friendly Company by the American Heart Association's Start! initiative for helping employees eat better and move more. Platinum-level employers must offer physical activity options for employees in the workplace; increase healthy eating options at the worksite; promote a wellness culture in the workplace; implement at least nine criteria outlined by the AHA in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture; and demonstrate measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness.

__OPTOMETRY OFFICE TO OPEN IN ADVANCE__

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Dr. Kathryn (Howard) Mayberry and Dr. Jennifer Howard are opening an optometry office in Lakeville Plaza, next to Blue Chalk Software. Howard also has a practice in Dexter, Mo. Bobbii Churchill will be office manager in the Advance practice.

__CONTINU-CARE GETS 2011 HONORS__

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Missouri Delta Medical Center's Continu-Care Home Care Services achieved AdvisorMed's 2011 Great Missouri Home Health Care Award by demonstrating results that consistently exceed patients' expectations. Continu-Care ranks in the top tier of all home health agencies in Missouri. To calculate the award, AdvisorMed uses a variety of national standardized data including information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and consumer reviews. AdvisorMed is a free online report card/health care guide featuring home health agencies, nursing homes and hospitals.

__DEXTER ADDS NURSE PRACTITIONER__

DEXTER, Mo. -- Kelly Fields-Wilburn joined Dexter Medical Center as a family nurse practitioner. She is a Dexter native and has extensive emergency room experience.

__GRAF JOINS CROSS TRAILS__

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Dentist Dr. Trey Graf joined Cross Trails Medical Center's Advance clinic.

__MEDICAL CLINIC OPENS IN KENNETT__

KENNETT, Mo. -- SEMO Health Network held a grand opening and ribbon cutting Nov. 20 for the Otto Bean Medical and Dental Center at 500 Russell St. in Kennett.

__SOUTHEAST HONORED FOR MARKETING EXCELLENCE__

Six SoutheastHEALTH marketing projects received statewide recognition at the Show-Me Excellence Awards in November. Southeast won first and second-place awards in the outdoor advertising category; second in the video and direct mail categories; and third in the internal publications category. The Show-Me Excellence Awards, presented annually by the Missouri Association for Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing, recognize quality in advertising, marketing and public relations projects produced by hospitals and health care systems throughout the state. Awards were presented at the Missouri Hospital Association's 89th annual convention and trade show in Osage Beach, Mo.

__COSTIE RECOGNIZED IN CAMBRIDGE WHO'S WHO__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Glenn Costie, CEO of John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, was recognized in the Cambridge "Who's Who" for his dedication, leadership and excellence in health care administration. Costie oversees health care services for veterans in 29 counties, bringing care to 20,000 veterans.