MEYER TO RETIRE FROM SOUTHEAST HOSPITAL

After 30 years with Southeast Missouri Hospital, Assistant Administrator Richard W. Meyer is retiring, hospital Administrator James W. Wente announced Friday.

Meyer's retirement will be effective in late August. Wente also announced the appointment of Patrick G. Bira as Meyer's replacement. Bira most recently served as executive vice president/administrator of St. John's Mercy Hospital in Washington, Mo.

Meyer came to Southeast in 1970 as director of special services, where he was involved with billing, insurance, collections and admissions. When appointed administrative assistant in 1971, his role expanded to include working with personnel management and hospital safety.

In February 1975, Meyer was named assistant administrator, a position that evolved to include working closely with hospital construction projects, including construction of a second parking garage and the Clinical Services Building and the lobby renovation project.

Prior to his association with St. John's Mercy, Bira was administrator at Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville from 1988 to 1997. His health care management experience also includes positions at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center in Chicago; West Jersey Health System in Camden, N.J.; and St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis.