Health briefs

VAMC HAS NEW DIRECTOR

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Marjorie Hedstrom was selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs as director of the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center and its outlying clinics. Hedstrom is currently associate director for resources and operations at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System. She has 33 years of experience in medical and administrative fields. She will begin her new duties in Poplar Bluff on May 20.

BOLLINGER IS EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Christina Bollinger, CNA/CMT and central supply clerk at Golden Living Center, was employee of the year. The honor is given based on contributions to residents' quality of life or the center itself; the winner must have received an employee of the month award in the previous 12 months.

AWL CLINIC JOINS SAINT FRANCIS

AWL Family Healthcare in Cape Girardeau will join Saint Francis Medical Center in July. The practice is led by nurse practitioners Kimberly A. Keser and Dolores J. McDowell. AWL will remain at 1435 N. Mount Auburn Road, Suite 200.

PATTERSON GETS STAR SERVICE AWARD

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Norm Patterson, registered respiratory therapist at Parkland Health Center for 15 years, received the Star Service Employee Award for March.

The Healthy Weigh, a medical weight loss program at Saint Francis Medical Center, received the 2011 HMR Gold Standard Certificate of Achievemen

CHIROPRACTIC CENTER CUTS RIBBON

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Jeremiah and Beth Mosher, owners of The Fix Chiropractic & Nutrition Center at 1908B Greenwood Drive, held a ribbon cutting to officially open their business with the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.

HEALTHY WEIGH RECEIVES GOLD STANDARD

The Healthy Weigh, a medical weight loss program at Saint Francis Medical Center, received the 2011 HMR Gold Standard Certificate of Achievement. The award distinguishes The Healthy Weigh from hundreds of clinics nationwide using the HMR (Health Management Resources) program for weight loss. The Healthy Weigh, which opened at Saint Francis in March 2011, integrates a team of medical and fitness specialists at the hospital and Fitness Plus, including a registered dietitian, nurse and medical director Dr. Philip E. Tippen. The program earned the Gold Standard in 11 categories, including weight loss, patient retention, group attendance and program compliance.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT HONORS HAGLER

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Butler County Health Department named Mallory Hagler Homemaker of the Month for April. She has worked for the department's in-home services from the satellite office in Ellington, Mo., since March 2011.

MATTHEWS NOMINATED FOR NURSING AWARD

Susan Matthews of Cape Girardeau was nominated for the University of Missouri Nursing Alumni Organization's Registered Nurse-Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student Award for Overall Excellence from the MU Sinclair School of Nursing. The award recognizes the potential for clinical proficiency, academic excellence and professional commitment. Matthews is a student in the registered nurse degree program, an online bachelor of science in nursing program for nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing. She works as a staff nurse in the Infusion Center at Saint Francis Medical Center and is one of two students nominated for the award. The winner will be announced April 27 at the school's annual banquet and awards ceremony.

NEW ER DEPARTMENT OPEN IN P.B.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- An open house was held April 15 for the new Black River Medical Center Hospital and Emergency Department, 217 Physicians Park Drive in Poplar Bluff, the Daily American Republic reported. Black River Medical Center, known as The Coppertop and Poplar Bluff Medical Partners, is a new three-bed hospital and emergency department with Dr. Donald Piland as chief of staff. Dr. Christopher R. Pinderski is chief of emergency medicine for the department and will oversee a staff of physicians trained in emergency medicine. Dr. Mike Caldwell is chairman of the board and Michael Burcham is chief executive officer. Black River's emergency room will be "the first step in what we hope to be a larger unit in the future," Pinderski said.

Cindy Johnson

JOHNSON GRADUATES FROM MHA PROGRAM

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Cindy Johnson, clinic manager at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington, graduated from the Missouri Hospital Association Center for Education's Health Care Leadership Series on April 6. The seven-month program provides leadership training to hospital and health care supervisors and managers. She was among 48 health care professionals throughout the state who completed the program.

SAINT FRANCIS ADDS 3-D SCREENING FOR BREAST CANCER

Saint Francis Medical Center is now using 3-D breast tomosynthesis for screenings with the Selenia Dimensions digital mammography system. The system offers exceptionally sharp breast images, an advanced ergonomic design providing more patient comfort and a 3-D tomosynthesis platform for superior screening and diagnostic performance.

CHAFFEE NURSING GETS TOP AWARDS

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Chaffee Nursing Center, skilled nursing by Americare, recently won the company's Philosophy Award based on exemplary quality in all four areas of the company's corporate philosophy: Service to residents, employees and the community, and fiscal responsibility. The center was evaluated using criteria including state survey results, resident/family survey results and other quality indicators. The Philosophy Award is given annually each spring and reflects a facility's performance in the past 12 months. In addition, Chaffee Nursing Center was elevated to the presidential level of the company's Honor Club for the second year in a row. Communities with Honor Club distinction meet even more narrow award criteria in each of the four philosophy areas.

Jason Bandermann

BANDERMANN NAMED ADMINISTRATOR FOR SURGERY CENTER

Saint Francis Healthcare System named Jason Bandermann administrator for Physicians Alliance Surgery Center. As administrator, he is responsible for operations and strategic directions of the center, which provides ambulatory surgical services in the following specialties: ear, nose and throat; general surgery; gynecology; ophthalmology; orthopedics; and retinal specialties. Bandermann joined Saint Francis in 2007 as a referral services manager in services to business. He later added the position of practice manager for Cape Diabetes and Endocrinology.

HOSPITAL HOLDS TOPPING OUT CEREMONY

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center held a "topping out" celebration May 9 for its $173 million hospital being built on the corner of Oak Grove Road and Shelby Lane, the Daily American Republic reported. The event completes the erection of the steel structure. When completed, it will be a seven-story hospital with 250 private patient rooms, enhanced technology, easier accessibility and an expansion of health care services, including emergency room, cardiac care and neurosurgery.

WILLIAMS NO LONGER WITH JACKSON DENTAL

Jackson Dental announced Dr. F. Stanley Williams is no longer with the practice. Dr. Ben Goodier and Dr. Rob Etherton will remain in the dental practice. Williams announced his departure from Jackson Dental a few months ago and the dentists have been making preparations for a smooth transition. Goodier and Etherton expect to bring on an additional dentist soon.

BUSHUR HIRED AS CONTROLLER AT SOUTHEAST HEALTH

SoutheastHEALTH hired Tim Bushur of Carbondale, Ill., as controller. He previously served as director of finance for Southern Illinois Medical Services. Bushur, who has more than 22 years of health care financial management experience, began his duties at Southeast on April 23.

Paula Stout

STOUT EARNS PHYSICAL THERAPY DOCTORATE

Paula Stout, physical therapist at Southeast HealthPoint Rehab in Cape Girardeau, received a doctoral degree in physical therapy March 2 from A.T. Still University's Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa, Ariz.