Health briefs

Cancer Update seminar slated

The Regional Cancer Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital will sponsor a "Cancer Update" seminar April 21. The meeting will be held at Drury Lodge and is designed for nurses and other health-care professionals. The program is approved for 6.6 contact hours. To register, call 651-5547.

Workshops offered by nursing league

The Missouri League for Nursing will sponsor workshops in the coming month throughout Southeast Missouri. The workshops are approved for continuing education credits; fees do apply. For information, call (573) 635-5355. Workshops begin at 8:30 a.m.

• April 20 at Saint Francis Medical Center. "Pressure ulcer management: Assessment, prevention and treatment." Speakers will discuss how to promote best wound care practices for health care practices for health professionals.
• April 26 at Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff. "Proactive management for health care professionals. Speaker is Tim Johnsen, president of St. John's Hospital in Lebanon, Mo. The workshop will discuss ways to improve efficiency and productivity in the workplace.
• May 5 at Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff and May 6 at Saint Francis Medical Center. "Surviving your job: Unlimited chocolate and other ways of satisfaction." The workshop will offer new ways to think about your job. Speaker is Sheryl A. Ewert, a training specialist at the University of Kansas Hospital.
• May 13 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. "Customer and employee satisfaction: How to excel." Speaker is Regenia Stull, administrative director of acute care nursing services at Phelps County Regional Medical Center.
• May 17 at Saint Francis Medical Center. "Dementia Care: Achieving Excellence." This workshop will teach caregivers how to improve interpersonal communication to provide comfort and reassurance to the person with dementia. Speakers are Rachel Kail and Mary Sharp of the Edcon Group, a consulting group.

Hospitals recognized by Red Cross

Saint Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital have been recognized by the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region as "Champions for Life."

The hospitals have worked with the Red Cross to increase blood donations and to provide recognition to donors. Both hospitals also achieved Gold Level status in the "Champions for Life" campaign, which means they sponsored four blood drives during the past calendar year.

March of Dimes names new staff

PHOTOS WITH THIS: DILLON AND JIRKOVSKY

The Southeast Missouri Chapter of the March of Dimes has named two new staff members. Ellen Dillon serves as division director and Darah Jirkovsky is community director.

Both are gearing up for the May 5 Walk America event sponsored by the March of Dimes. The walk will take place at Kiwanis Park, formerly Cherokee Park, in Cape Girardeau. It follows a nearly 2 mile route and ends at the park.

Dillon said her primary jobs at division director are to help the organization raise money that funds research geared to premature births and to educate people about the risk of premature births.

The Walk America does both, she said. Jirkovsky said teams and individuals are still able to register by calling 651-6033 or by going online at www.walkamerica.org.

Medical center names new staff

MUGSHOT I EMAILED TO YOU: JACK MALIZZA.

Saint Francis Medical Center has named Jack Malizza as the new director for Maternal and Child Health Services at the Saint Francis Family BirthPlace. Prior to joining the staff, Malizza was director of the birthing center at St. Mary's Hospital in Blue Springs, Mo. He has more than 10 years experience as a registered nurse, with an additional three years as a neonatal intensive care nurse. His experience includes acute care, labor and delivery, and critical care. He is a graduate of Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., and the Air Force ROTC. He is working to complete his master's degree in nursing.

Makeover at Poplar Bluff nursing facility

The Manor, an extended nursing facility in Poplar Bluff, Mo., has undergone a makeover since hiring new employees Gaye Hartness, administrator, and Cheri Floyd, director of nursing, last August.

"We've had compliments on improved quality of care and cleanliness," said Hartness, who has 25 years management experience. "It's not typical of what most people think of a nursing home"

The Manor has about 50 residents and a 90-bed capacity. All of the beds are Medicare and Medicaid approved. Residents' ages range from mid-30s to late-90s.

The building is undergoing changes, Hartness said. A complete beauty salon with two beauticians and a new big-screen television in the game room have been added, and more work is under way. All of the residents now have free cable television.

-- From staff reports