Kneibert Clinic expanding in Piedmont

Business Today

POPLAR BLUFF -- Kneibert Clinic recently acquired a new physician, added a stress echocardiogram to check heart muscle contractions, and announced construction of a new clinic in Piedmont. In January the clinic changed to a new digital radiology program.

Kneibert Clinic, which is physician-owned and based in Poplar Bluff, staffs 21 physicians. The clinic expanded to Piedmont in 1985 with the merger of Wayne Medical Center.

Kneibert Clinic Wayne Medical Center has added Dr. Andy Gayle, said Bob Christian, administrator for Kneibert Clinic.

"Doctors David Gayle and Richard Gayle (brothers) have outgrown their downtown facility. They're building a new 16,000-square-foot building on Highway 34, across from Clearwater High School," said Christian. "It should be completed by Oct. 15." Christian said the new medical building will also house a pharmacy and provide full service for X-rays and lab work.

Kniebert Clinic Wayne Medical Center is staffed by brothers David Gayle, D.O., and Richard Gayle, D.O. The clinic also employs 12 others including two nurse practitioners.

"They're seeing approximately 19,000 patients a year up there," Christian said. "With the addition of Dr. Andy Gayle, we expect it to increase. They have a large drawing through the Lead Belt area."

Prior to January, the clinic had to package X-rays and mail them out to be read by a radiologist. This year X-rays have been sent electronically to Cape Radiology Group in Cape Girardeau.

"We electronically send an X-ray image over to them. They read the film and send the report back to the physician. We usually have them back within 24 hours," Christian said.

Christian said radiologists from Cape come to Kneibert Clinic three days a week to read special X-rays and mammograms, which cannot legally be sent electronically.