SOUTHEAST HOSPITAL PAYS TRIBUTE; TURSTEES, AUXILIARY MEMBERS WIN AWARDS; FOUNDATION TOPS GOAL

The delivery of health care in Missouri how it is accomplished now and how it will probably be done in the years ahead was addressed by Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) President Charles L. Bowman while in Cape Girardeau last week.

Bowman, who has been MHA president for eight years, addressed the more 900 attending the Southeast Missouri Hospital Association at the Show Me Center Thursday night.

"For the first time, health providers are really working together to provide quality health care from the cradle to the grave," said Bowman. "Competitors hospitals, home health groups, nursing homes are collaborating with each other to determine the best ways for providing care."

The dinner was also highlighted by the presentation of service wards to a longtime trustee and three hospital auxiliary members; announcement of the successful culmination of a capital campaign to raise funds toward construction of the new $19 million Clinical Services Building; the announcement of the hospital's new "Be a Partner Buy a Brick" program; and remarks by hospital administrator James Wente.

The theme of the annual event was "Blueprint for the Future."

Narvol Randol Sr., a retired bank executive, was recipient of the Special Service Award for his 31 years of service to the hospital.

Randol has served the Board of Trustees since 1962, and has served second vice president, first vice president and president. He has been a member of the board's executive committee 22 years as well as finance and long range planning committees 24 years.

In 1973, he served as vice president of a drive to raise $1 million for a four-stage, five-year development program that resulted in the hospital's west wing, parking garage and east wing. During his 1977-79 term as board president, Randol oversaw completion of the building program and launched a campaign to raise $1.5 million for construction and equipping of the hospital's Regional Cancer Center.

"Randol has earned the title of Mr. Southeast Hospital," said Charles L. Hutson, who is current president of the board of trustees. To add together Randol's total service on 17 different boards and foundations, sometimes on as many as six committees at a time, would resulted in an impressive 160 years.

Special service awards were presented to three longtime hospital volunteers and life members of the auxiliary Hazel Eaves, Norma Sander and Marguritte Moore who have amassed a service record of more than 8,000 volunteer hours each. Eaves has been a volunteer and auxiliary member since 1958. Sander's record of service started in 1978. Moore was not present for the meeting, and will receive her award later.

"Together they have contributed 25,758 hours of service which would be computed to a dollar value of more than $100,000 at minimum wage rates," said Hutson. He emphasized their contributions must be considered not only in terms of monetary value but "as testimony to how vital the volunteer spirit is to our community-based hospital. Tonight, we salute that spirit and challenge others of you to catch that spirit and give of your time and talents."

Walter Joe Ford, president of the hospital's foundation board, announced completion of the foundation's capital campaign effort in support of the clinical services building.

"We have surpassed our goal," said Ford. "Gifts, pledges and collections total $1,520,476."

Hospital foundation executive director J. Charles Stotz outlined a new program by the foundation.

The "Be a Partner Buy a Brick" program offers participants the opportunity to add their names or that of a loved one to outdoor beautification projects being planned over the next two years at Southeast. Through participation on one of three donor levels, individuals may obtain engraved commemorative bricks which will be incorporated into new courtyard areas at the hospital.

Stotz announced that more than $12,500 of the special bricks were sold by Foundation volunteers during the project kickoff at the Show Me Center Thursday.

In his remarks, Wente outlined accomplishments of the past year and future challenges.

Highlights during 1992 and early 1993 include the construction start on the clinical services facility, which is now about 30 percent complete. "The hospital expects to start utilizing the new emergency services department, surgery department and Life Beat air medical facility in early 1994."

Overall occupancy of the building will take place in 1995.

Other notable events at the hospital during the past year, said Wente, were the opening of a 14-bed adult psychiatric unit; continued development of the hospital's Regional Heart Center, neurological services, fitness and wellness center programs, graduation of the first class of registered nurses from the hospital's School of Nursing, and on-going work with St. Francis Medical Center in a cooperative medical staff development program designed to address the shortage of physicians in the service area.

The hospital continues to record an increase in utilization of its facilities, said Wente. Last year, Southeast serviced about 63,000 patients, and Life Beat, the hospital's air medical ambulance, received more than 800 requests for service.

During the business portion of the meeting, Hutson announced the board of trustees officers for the coming year. Hutson will continue as president; Dr. Melvin C. Kasten will serve as first vice president; Stone Manes as second vice president; and Robert Erlbacher II as secretary-treasurer.

Among special guests at the dinner were recipients of the O.D. Niswonger Spirit of Southeast Award winners for 1992-1993. The award, established in 1991 to honor retiring administrator O.D. Niswonger, recognizes employees who perpetuate the character and spirit of Niswonger which has become the "Spirit of Southeast."

Second year recipients were: Linda Wessel, a nurse in educational services; Susan Trout, an employee in the housekeeping department; JoAnn Hinkebein, inpatient Medicare billing clerk in the business office; Shirley James, monitor technician in the surgical intensive care/coronary care unit; and Sally Wright Owen, publications coordinator in the marketing and communications department.