Health briefs

__SCHULTZ NAMED DIRECTOR OF PHYSICIAN PRACTICES__

Mark Schultz was appointed director of physician practices at Saint Francis Medical Center. In this role, he will be responsible for the planning, development, operation and performance improvement of all activities within hospitalist services. This is in addition to his role as director of occupational health services. Schultz joined Saint Francis in September 1996. He worked as a nurse assistant in neurosciences, a registered nurse in progressive care and as manager of the Wound Healing Center before being named director of occupational medicine.

__CHANCE NAMED DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES__

Nicole Chance was named director of human resources at Saint Francis Medical Center. Her responsibilities will include compliance with state and federal regulations, compensation, benefits, performance management, recruitment and retention for the medical center, according to a news release. Chance joined Saint Francis in November 2006 as the human resource manager. She previously was employment manager at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri.

__NEW DIRECTOR ASSIGNED AT VA IN POPLAR BLUFF__

Cutline:Mark Schultz

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced the appointment of Dr. Patricia L. Ten Haaf as director of the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, the Daily American Republic reported. She was expected to begin her new role on Jan. 10. Ten Haaf has held leadership positions as associate director of patient care services at VA medical centers in Tomah, Wisconsin, and Kansas City, Missouri, and as acting director of the St. Louis VA Health Care System. She also has served as hospital commander at the combat support hospital at Salerno, Afghanistan, and Arifjan, Kuwait. She has a doctorate of health care administration from Capella University in Minneapolis, a master’s degree in adult health from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and a bachelor of nursing from Pea State University in Clarksville, Tennessee.

__COUNSELING CENTER HONORS OTTO__

A lifetime achievement award was presented by the Community Counseling Center to honor Mary Ann Otto for her 37 years as a mental health services advocate. Otto joined the center’s governing board of directors in 1979 and was appointed secretary to the board in 1987. “You could say that this lady has been responsible for the fiscal health of this organization for almost 30 years, which is an incredible legacy and achievement,” said John Hinni, former Community Counseling Center governing board president.

__WEST NAMED DIRECTOR OF PATIENT EXPERIENCE__

Lance West was appointed director of patient experience at Southeast Hospital. In a news release from the hospital, West said his goal is to “improve the experience of not only patients, but their families, providers and staff” throughout the organization. West began his work with SoutheastHEALTH in 2003 as a retractor holder. His most recent position was assistant nurse manager of ICU/CTU.

Cutline:Nicole Chance

__BAIRD NAMED EMERGENCY SERVICES DIRECTOR AT SOUTHEAST__

Dr. Jeremy Baird accepted the position of emergency services medical director at SoutheastHEALTH, effective Jan. 1. He succeeds Dr. Andrew Brenner, who retired at the end of January. Baird received his DO degree from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri. He is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine. He has been affiliated with SoutheastHEALTH since 2013.

__ROTHERT IS EMERGENCY SERVICES DIRECTOR AT SAINT FRANCIS__

Dr. Steven D. Rothert was appointed medical director of emergency services at Saint Francis Medical Center. Rothert joined Saint Francis in September 2004. He earned his medical degree from Southern Illinois University in Springfield, Illinois, and completed his internship and residency at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, in Lexington, Kentucky. He is board certified in emergency medicine. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was a field artillery officer in the Army. Rothert also holds a law degree from Southern Illinois University.

__REED NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR__

KENNETT, Mo. — Mary Reed was named Employee of the Year for 2015 at Heritage Nursing Center. She has worked at the center since June 2003.

__WOUND CENTER CUTS RIBBON__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center’s new Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center. The clinic is at the hospital’s Oak Grove campus.

__BOOTHEEL COUNSELING HONORS EMPLOYEES__

SIKESTON, Mo. — Carrie Huggins of Dexter, Missouri, was chosen as employee of the year for 2015 at Bootheel Counseling Services and Family Medical Clinic. She is the Stoddard County office manager and has been with the agency for seven years. Steve Hughes of Morehouse, Missouri, was named employee of the month for December. He has worked at the agency for more than 16 years as a community support professional.