Health briefs

__SOUTHEAST MEDICAL PLAZA OPENS IN DEXTER__

DEXTER, Mo. -- Southeast Medical Plaza in Dexter opened its doors to the public with grand-opening ceremonies on Sept. 24, marking completion of the new, 15,000-square-foot medical office building at Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County, according to a news release from Southeast. The medical office building adjoins the front of the hospital and houses 27 examination rooms, a large procedure room, separate adult and pediatric waiting areas, digital X-ray and lab services and a conference room.

__WILFERTH NAMED TO SAINT FRANCIS FOUNDATION__

James "Jimmy" Wilferth was named executive director of Saint Francis Foundation, the fundraising arm of Saint Francis Medical Center. His responsibilities include managing the development team, building relationships with the Foundation and The Friends of Saint Francis Boards of Directors, increasing the foundation's donor base and broadening grant efforts. A Cape Girardeau County native, Wilferth has extensive fundraising and event-management experience locally, nationally and internationally. He most recently worked for the charity group Heart for Africa, where he was president of U.S. operations.

__PERRY COUNTY HOSPITAL PURCHASES CONVENIENT CARE CLINIC__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perry County Health System (Perry County Memorial Hospital) purchased Saint Francis Medical Center's former Immediate Convenient Healthcare building at the intersection of Perryville and Edgemont boulevards. Patrick Carron, president and CEO of Perry County Health System, said the sale was made on Aug. 29. The system now owns and operates the clinic in partnership with the physicians of Perryville Family Care Clinic. The goal is to reopen the facility under the name of PFCC West on or about Nov. 1, a hospital news release said. Additional staff will be hired to meet the needs of all walk-in care and to cover the extended hours of operation. Services will be expanded to include laboratory, radiology and prescription drug dispensing services, as well as workers compensation care and better coordinated occupational health services.

__TWO NEW DENTISTS HIRED IN POPLAR BLUFF__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Missouri Highlands Health Care announced two dentists, Dr. Bradley Daniel and Dr. Kristin Green, joined the Poplar Bluff Community Dental Clinic. Missouri Highlands Health Care is a not-for-profit organization and federally qualified health center serving Carter, Reynolds, Shannon, Iron, Ripley, Butler and Wayne counties.

__GENESIS HOME CARE OPENS IN RISCO__

RISCO, Mo. -- Genesis Home Care opened an office on Highway 62 in Risco. A ribbon cutting was held with the Malden Chamber of Commerce.

__BROWN NAMED MARKETING DIRECTOR__

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Kristin Brown joined Presbyterian Hospice as marketing director. She has three years of experience in the hospice field. After starting as a hospice volunteer, she became a bereavement counselor and worked with veterans' programs. Before working in hospice, she was a case manager for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

__ESSNER HONORED BY LEET EYECARE__

Debbie Essner was named the August Leet EyeCare Above and Beyond Award recipient. She is a certified optician at the 3230 Blattner Drive location in Cape Girardeau. She has worked for Leet EyeCare for 14 years and was nominated by her peers for the award.

__GRIFFIN, FOSTER ARE EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH__

PUXICO, Mo. -- Lisa Griffin, housekeeping and laundry supervisor at Puxico Nursing & Rehab Center, was employee of the month for July. Shaun Foster, maintenance supervisor, received the honor for August.

__CARDIAC REHAB EARNS RECERTIFICATION__

SoutheastHEALTH's Cardiac Rehab program was recertified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The certification is for three years. Southeast's rehab program involves exercise, education counseling and support for patients and their families.

__CROSS TRAILS OPENS PERRYVILLE LOCATION__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Cross Trails Medical Center opened an office at 1314 Brenda Ave. in Perryville. Medical services are provided by Ann Schaumburg-Tally, a family nurse practitioner, and dental services are provided by Dr. Kevin Fallert. Autumn Van Gennip, a native of Advance, Missouri, is providing dental hygiene services. In addition to the Perryville office, Cross Trails has offices in Marble Hill, Advance and Cape Girardeau.

__ROUSE NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR__

Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center recognized Jodie Rouse as 2014 Employee of the Year during the annual Employee Relations Day. Rouse is a recreation therapist who has been with the program for 27 years. Cottonwood, on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, is a Department of Mental Health facility that provides residential treatment to children and youth who have emotional and behavioral problems.

__HENDRICKS HIRED AT PREGNANCY CENTER__

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sandi Hendricks was hired as the first executive director of the Pregnancy Resource Center in Sikeston. She previously worked for 23 years in education and six years in ministry.

__TWIN RIVERS LOOKING FOR NEW CEO__

KENNETT, Mo. -- Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center is looking for a new CEO, the Daily Dunklin Democrat reported. Matt Lyden is leaving his post after less than a year on the job. He began work at the hospital last November, coming to Kennett from a hospital in Madill, Oklahoma. The search for a new CEO is underway. Members of the board of trustees, medical staff and administration will be involved in the selection process.