New physician group forms

Will work in new medical park

POPLAR BLUFF -- Physicians Advanced Health Care Group LLC is changing its name to Poplar Bluff Medical Partners. The new name reflects the physician group's recent partnership with Saint Francis Healthcare System in Cape Girardeau, and rejuvenated focus on the health of Poplar Bluff's community, according to Matthew Riffle, MD, co-chair of Poplar Bluff Medical Partners.

The Poplar Bluff Medical Partners and Saint Francis Healthcare System joint venture will result in Poplar Bluff Medical Park. Construction for the 32-acre medical complex is currently under way. When it is complete, it will include the existing diagnostic imaging center, an ambulatory surgery center, a catheterization lab, a medical office building and a 35-bed hospital.

Located on Poplar Bluff's north side, Poplar Bluff Medical Park is accessible from the Highway 67 bypass and PP Highway intersection.

Saint Francis Healthcare System is the umbrella organization for Saint Francis Medical Center and Saint Francis Health Development Services Inc.

Saint Francis Medical Center is a full-service, tertiary care medical center that operates 249 beds, serving a five-state area.

Poplar Bluff Medical Partners was formed with the mission of improving the quality of local healthcare. It is comprised of nearly half the practicing physicians in Poplar Bluff, representing radiology, urology, neurology, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, family practice, internal medicine, oncology, anesthesiology and general surgery.