Health briefs

SHOEMAKER NAMED VP OF PHYSICIAN SERVICES

Dr. D. Matthew Shoemaker

Dr. D. Matthew Shoemaker was named vice president of physician services at SoutheastHEALTH, effective Jan. 1. He will work with Dr. Dennis Means, chief medical officer, to ensure that patients continue receiving the highest quality care. Shoemaker will also collaborate with the Southeast Medical Group to build a physician-led and physician-managed organization. Shoemaker, a Southeast Missouri native, has been part of the Cape Girardeau medical community since 2007. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in infectious diseases and internal medicine.

FARMINGTON AIR EVAC CREW GETS AWARD

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The Air Evac Lifeteam base in Farmington received the Ambassador's Award at Air Evac's national awards banquet in St. Charles, Mo. Seth Myers, Air Evac Lifeteam president, said the award is typically given to a person but was given to an entire base this year, stating that "Farmington is a perfect example of how building relationships within the community can lead to customer retention and growth." Myers noted the crew willingly ventures outside its service area to train other crews and build relationships with EMS personnel.

HILL NAMED STAR SERVICE MEMBER

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Shanna Hill was star service team member for November at Parkland Health Center. She has been a clinical dietitian at Parkland since July 2011.

SOUTHEAST USING NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR KIDNEY SURGERY

Southeast Hospital ranks first in Missouri in use of robotic fluorescence imaging technology that allows for more precise kidney cancer surgery. The hospital is one of two statewide, and the only in Southeast Missouri, to use the enhanced imaging technology as part of the da Vinci robotic surgical system. Fluorescence imaging allows surgeons to see and assess anatomy better than the naked eye, further enhancing the unmatched vision, precision and control of minimally invasive da Vinci surgery. Southeast began using the latest imaging technology, called Firefly, in late November.

TETRAULT ELECTED TO AMBULANCE BOARD

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- David Tetrault, St. Francois County ambulance administrator/CEO, was elected to serve on the board of directors for the American Ambulance Association. He will be representing Region 4, which covers Missouri and 11 other states.

RADIATION ONCOLOGY DEPARTMENT GETS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION

Southeast Cancer Center's Radiation Oncology department once again earned national accreditation from the American College of Radiology, making it one of only eight such facilities in Missouri and the only one in Southeast Missouri to receive this recognition for its radiation treatments. The department earned accreditation in 2009 and was recently reaccredited for another three years. Only about 500 radiation oncology centers nationwide have earned this accreditation, which reflects the staffing levels, training and technical equipment needed to provide patients with radiation therapy. The latest accreditation for SoutheastHEALTH comes on top of ACR accreditation of the Southeast Breast Care & Diagnostic Center last year. The center is recognized as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the ACR, the only facility in the Cape Girardeau area to be designated as such.

DAVENPORT JOINS PRESBYTERIAN MANOR

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Jim Davenport was named environmental services director at Presbyterian Manor. He has more than 20 years of experience in operations and facility management. He also has special training and certifications in crisis prevention and emergency management. Davenport most recently served as director of plant operations with HealthSouth for 13 years.

NURSING HOME CHANGES NAME

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Effective Jan. 1, Perry County Nursing Home Inc. will be known as Independence Health System Inc. There are currently four local entities operating under the corporation: Independence Care Center on South Kingshighway, Independence Court Residential Care Center on Independence Drive, Independence Square Residential Care Center on South Main Street and Independence Village.

GRECHUS, SIPPO NAMED TO MINERAL AREA BOARD

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Dr. John Grechus of Ladies First OB/GYN and Pediatric Services in Farmington and Dr. Bill Sippo, surgeon and critical care physician, were named to the Mineral Area Regional Medical Center board of trustees. Grechus has served as director for the Pregnancy Resource Center and chief of staff at Mineral Area. Sippo served as department of surgery chair, medical director and member of the hospital quality assurance committee.

MUNGEE NAMED DIRECTOR OF SPECIALTY PRACTICES

Sunil Mungee was named director of physician practices at Saint Francis Medical Center. In this role, he is responsible for fostering, developing and facilitating the improvement of Saint Francis' medical partners. Mungee previously was manager of operations, business development and marketing at Cherry Tree Medical Associates in Uniontown, Pa., a multispecialty physician practice. He also has experience in physician recruitment in underserved medical areas, business development and electronic medical record implementation.

NEW P.B. HOSPITAL HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center held a ribbon cutting Jan. 18 to mark the official opening of its new $173 million hospital at 3100 Oak Grove Road, the Daily American Republic reported. The new facility is a state-of-the-art, seven-story hospital with 250 private rooms, advanced medical technology, easier accessibility and an expansion of health care services.