AWARDS PRESENTED AT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION DINNER

Almost 800 people received a progress report, recognized organizations for their interest in community health, and heard an address by the president of the National Council of Community Hospitals at the Southeast Missouri Hospital Association's annual dinner Wednesday night at the Show Me Center.

A special awards ceremony also recognized 10 community organizations that have sponsored or aided special programs coordinated by Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Association members were presented with the hospital's annual report by the administrator, James W. Wente.

Wente said the hospital was entering its final phase of its five-year development plan. He said the second, or middle phase of the plan was completed with construction of the $19 million Clinical Services Building.

Wente said work will begin soon on a main lobby and restaurant. The former emergency room and radiology offices in the hospital will be used for other support services at the hospital.

Charles L. Hutson, president of the board of trustees, announced that membership for the association stands at 797. The association has a goal membership of 1,000 by 2,000.

Association members also were told that 11 new doctors were admitted to the active medical staff at the hospital, making 145 physicians on staff at Southeast.

The keynote address was given by John Horty, senior partner at Horty, Springer and Mattern in Pittsburgh and president of the National Council of Community Hospitals.

Horty said the recent national debate on health-care reform revealed how important the issue was to many Americans. He said the failed effort of the federal government to impose a national health-care system exemplified the importance health care is in each community.

"Health care can't be controlled and operated from the top down," he said. "It must be operated by the community. Health care can't be operated from afar."

Horty said community organizations like the association are important because health care must be controlled be each community to adequately suit the community's needs.

The upcoming board of trustees officers were announced: Dr. Melvin C. Kasten, president; Robert Erlbacher II, first vice president; Jerry Zimmer, second vice president; and David Hahs, secretary-treasurer.

Ten other members were elected to the board of trustees including two new members, Jacylyn Clark and John Grimm.