Health briefs

LAWRENCE NAMED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Saint Francis Medical Center named Jim Lawrence as the new director of business development. In this role, he will lead all aspects of business development and relationship building with physicians, consumers and businesses. In addition to his new role, Lawrence will continue to direct the Consumer Call Center. Lawrence first joined Saint Francis in 1992 as a clinical nurse caring for acute medical/surgical and emergency patients. He later developed and directed the Wound Healing Center at Saint Francis. He most recently worked as a physician liaison in business development and was instrumental in the creation of the Consumer Call Center. Outside of Saint Francis, Lawrence worked in pharmaceutical sales and as a training officer for the Missouri Department of Health's Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

VNA ADDS PRIVATE CARE DIVISION

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The Farmington Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Oct. 1 with VNA-TIP HealthCare to celebrate the opening of its PrivateCare division office in Farmington. VNA-TIP HealthCare is at 500 W. Pine St., behind Belgrade State Bank.

MCWILLIAMS JOINS CAPE CARE FOR WOMEN

Dr. Grant D. McWilliams joined Saint Francis Medical Center as a medical partner and obstetrician/gynecologist at Cape Care for Women. McWilliams, a Missouri native, has practiced in Cape Girardeau since 2012. He previously served four years as staff obstetrician/gynecologist and also as chief of obstetrics at Bassett Army Community Hospital at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He is board eligible and a member of the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery and urogynecology.

PULMONARY REHAB PROGRAM GETS NATIONAL CERTIFICATION

The pulmonary rehabilitation program at SoutheastHEALTH has been certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The program includes exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and families. Respiratory therapist Tina Kramer educates pulmonary patients on medications, inhaler use, self-care techniques and knowledge about when to seek medical treatment.

American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program certification is the only peer-reviewed accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed by the association and other professional societies.

CARDIO REHAB PROGRAM CERTIFIED BY INDUSTRY LEADER

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perry County Memorial Hospital announced the certification of its cardiovascular rehabilitation program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The hospital's cardiovascular rehabilitation program participated in an application process that required extensive documentation of the program's practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-reviewed accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other professional societies. Each program is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors. The certification is valid for three years.

DYE JOINS JOHN'S PHARMACY

Casey Dye is a new pharmacist at John's Pharmacy in Cape Girardeau. Dye, a native of Sikeston, Mo., graduated from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 2010 and had worked as a pharmacist at Walgreen's in Cape Girardeau since her graduation. Dye joined John's Pharmacy in October and as a full-time staff pharmacist in its retail and long-term care pharmacies.

ESPINOZA RECEIVES EYECARE AWARD

Jessica Espinoza was named the September 2013 Leet EyeCare Above And Beyond Award recipient. She is a clinical technician at the 3230 Blattner Drive location in Cape Girardeau. She was nominated by her peers as an employee who works to exceed patients' expectations.

SOUTHEAST RECEIVES VASCULAR SURGERY AWARD

Southeast Hospital earned the Vascular Surgery Excellence Award for the second year in a row. The 2014 award means that Southeast ranks among the top 10 percent of hospitals nationwide in this surgical specialty. The presentation was made by Healthgrades, the leading online resource where consumers compare physician and hospital care. Southeast is also Five-Star rated in carotid surgery and treatment of stroke for 2014. This is the sixth year in a row that SoutheastHEALTH has earned the highest recognition in these two categories. Healthgrades announced the ratings in a published report, "American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2014: Healthgrades Report to the Nation." Healthgrades evaluated more than 4,500 hospitals and almost 40 million hospitalization records nationwide from 2010 through 2012.

UMFLEET NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center recognized Sheila Umfleet as the 2013 Employee of the Year. She is a case manager and has worked with the program for 20 years. Co-workers recognized her for her professionalism and as one who goes above and beyond for the children and staff. Cottonwood, located on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, is a Department of Mental Health facility that provides residential treatment to children and youth who have emotional and behavioral problems.

BROADWAY PHARMACY ADDS WELLNESS ROOM

Broadway Prescription Shop, 710 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, has added the Broadway Wellness Room, a recently renovated private consultation room where customers can receive a variety of services, information and health-related instruction without a doctor's appointment. Lee Schlitt, pharmacy owner and director of operations, said the room was intentionally renovated in time for the Medicare Open Enrollment period lasting until Dec. 7. Melissa Hoehne is the pharmacy's expert on Medicare Plan D and is available to meet privately in the Broadway Wellness Room with customers and the general public. Pharmacists and trained technicians will also administer blood pressure and blood sugar checks, do cholesterol and HIV blood tests, administer vaccinations and more.

CARDINAL GLENNON ADDS AIR AMBULANCE AT CAPE AIRPORT

Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center of St. Louis added a dedicated pediatric air ambulance at its Cape Girardeau transport base. According to a news release from Cardinal Glennon, the pediatric ambulance will be staffed by a transport team comprised of registered nurses and respiratory therapists with advanced training in stabilization, treatment and transport of small infants and injured children. The transport base at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport is staffed 24 hours a day and enables transport nurses to quickly reach children in need of care, the release said.

SOUTHEAST GETS PLATINUM AWARD FOR HEART ATTACK TREATMENT

Southeast Hospital received the American College of Cardiology Foundation's ACTION Registry -- GWTG Platinum Performance Achievement Award for the second year in a row. Only 197 hospitals nationwide received the 2013 award. To receive the Platinum Performance Achievement Award, Southeast consistently followed the treatment guidelines for eight consecutive quarters and met a performance standard of 90 percent for specific performance measures.

KAELIN DENTAL ADDS DIGITAL SCANNING

Kaelin Dental Group of Cape Girardeau added a state-of-the-art iTERO scanner that makes digital 3D images of tooth surfaces and gum tissue. The technology replaces traditional impressions and is comfortable, safe, accurate and fast. Kaelin is the only office with an iTERO scanner between Poplar Bluff and Festus, Mo.

KAELIN AND STAFF ATTEND INVISALIGN SEMINAR

Dr. David L. Kaelin of Cape Girardeau, along with Nicole Lewis and Katie Roth of Kaelin Dental Group, attended the Invisalign General Practioner and Hygiene Expo in Chicago on Oct. 25. The seminar increased their knowledge of diagnosing and treating patients who need Invisalign treatment. Courses included a team approach to improving periodontal health, restorative care and ultimate patient satisfaction. Kaelin Dental Group was the only office from Missouri to attend the seminar.