Health calendar

Edwards joins staff of Orthopaedic Associates

Orthopaedic Associates of Southeast Missouri has announced that Dr. James M. Edwards, M.D., has joined the medical staff. Edwards attended Southeast Missouri State University and received his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. He was previously in practice in Terre Haute, Ind.

Thriftway hires new pharmacist

Thriftway Drugs in Jackson has announced the addition of pharmacist Jennifer McCoy. McCoy received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She follows a family tradition -- her grandfather and great-grandfather were pharmacists in Dexter, Mo., and Essex, Mo.

Health care employee honored

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Phillip Sauceda is the October "Employee of the Month" at Sikeston Health Care.

The maintenance supervisor, Sauceda has been employed by Sikeston Health Care for the past year. "Phillip is our fix-it man with a smile," his nominator said.

In addition to his work, Sauceda enjoys fishing, camping and other outdoor activities with his wife, Jamie, and their two sons and one daughter.

Ferguson Medical Group expands

DEXTER, Mo. -- The Ferguson Medical Group has added family practice to its office. A physician and a certified physician assistant have joined the practice.

Dr. James Critchlow is now seeing patients. Critchlow earned his medical degree from Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine and finished his residency at Truman Medical Center in Kansas City. A resident of Dexter, he has been a practicing physician since 1983 and spent 10 years of his practice in Dexter.

Tammy Beck received her bachelor of science from Southeast Missouri State University and her bachelor of medical science and her physician assistant certificate from St. Louis University. She has been a physician assistant since 1997.

Both are accepting new patients.

Hospital wins Gold Seal award

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval by demonstrating compliance with the commission's national standards for health care quality and safety.

The Joint Commission conducted an unannounced on-site five-day evaluation of the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in June. The accreditation award recognizes the facility's dedication to complying with the commission's state-of-the-art standards on a continuous basis.

Larrew joins Genesis team

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Margaret Ellsworth Vaughn of Genesis Home Care and Phase II CDS has announced the addition of Connie Larrew, LPN field representative. Larrew is a native of Poplar Bluff and comes from Legacy Hospice. She brings with her 32 years of experience.

Two local nurses certified as examiners

Nurse practitioners Kathy Blevins and Debbie De La Cruz of the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence have received international certification as sexual assault nurse examiners. Blevins provides contract work for forensic evaluations of adult and child victims and received certification as a pediatric, adolescent and adult nurse examiner. De La Cruz provides contract examinations of adult and child victims and received certification as an adult nurse examiner.

Cape dentist heads state dental association

Dr. Shannon T. Kirchhoff of Cape Girardeau has been elected president of the Missouri Dental Association for 2007-2008. Kirchhoff, an orthodontist, holds a bachelor of science degree from Southeast Missouri State University and a doctor of dental surgery degree and a certificate of graduate orthodontics from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He holds membership in numerous professional organizations, and in 2006 graduated with the inaugural class of the Missouri Dental Association Leadership Development Continuum. Kirchhoff operates practices in Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

James Wente recognized

Southeast Missouri Hospital president and chief executive officer James Wente won the 2007 Visionary Leadership Award from the Missouri Hospital Association, the association said in a news release. "Jim's pursuit of excellence is infectious," association president Marc Smith said.

Wente joined Southeast as chief financial officer in 1975, winning promotions until he was named CEO on Jan. 1, 1991. During Wente's tenure, the hospital has expanded greatly, including the 75,000-square-foot Southeast Medical Plaza, HealthPoint Plaza fitness and rehabilitation center and development of a new west campus near I-55 where a medical office building is nearing completion.

"I'm very flattered and humbled by this recognition," Wente said in a news release, adding that it reflects on the quality of the leadership team at the hospital including the trustees, administrators and medical staff.

The expansions and renovations at the hospital continue, with Cape Girardeau issuing building permits recently for a $446,000 renovation of the 2,080-square-foot third-floor cardiac catheterization laboratory and a $200,000 remodeling of the 9,310-square-foot pediatrics and obstetrics laboratory.

Finnell named Air Evac Lifeteam's pilot of the year

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Air Evac Lifeteam pilot supervisor Fred Finnell of Farmington was named Air Evac Lifeteam's Pilot of the Year during the company's recent homecoming awards banquet.

Finnell has been employed with the company since April 14, 1997.

Director of Operations Stuart Buckingham said, "Fred is a truly outstanding pilot, base pilot supervisor, and excellent team member. He does represent on a daily basis what Air Evac EMS, Inc. desires in their pilots and employees. Fred joins a remarkable group of men and women who have been named pilot for the year for Air Evac Lifeteam, and he continues in the tradition of having set the bar very high to achieve this award. His devotion to the company mission for over 16 years now is unsurpassed by any other company pilot. He has completed over several thousand patient flights, the most of any pilot in the company."

Air Evac Lifeteam is a membership-supported air ambulance company that provides emergency care and rapid medical transport to rural communities. Throughout the central U.S. The company operates 72 bases in 12 states.

Sheets voted dental group's district trustee

Dr. Jay Sheets, a Cape Girardeau dentist, has been elected as Southeast Missouri District trustee to the Missouri Dental Association Board. Sheets holds a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University and received his doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1976. After a residency at Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign, Ill., Sheets moved to Cape Girardeau, where he has been in private practice since 1981.

Dental office moves

DEXTER, Mo. -- The dental practice of Dr. J. David Simmons has relocated to No. 1 Corporate Drive in Dexter. The practice celebrated this move recently with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Dexter Chamber of Commerce.

Brown promoted at Landmark Hospital

Landmark Hospital has named Rodney Brown, RN, as assistant administrator/chief clinical officer, promoting Brown from the post of nurse manager. Brown has extensive experience both as a clinician and business manager, Landmark said in a prepared statement. He can provide care to critically ill patients as well as manage costs, improve processes and ensure quality service. Landmark Hospital, at 3255 Independence St., is a long-term acute care facility with 30 patient beds.