SOUTHEAST MISSOURI HOSPITAL ENJOYS STEADY GROWTH; NISWONGER CREDITS BOARD, COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

HOSPITAL CELEBRATES ADDITION: Southeast Missouri Hospital celebrates completion of an expansion in 1957. The 79-bed addition extended to the rear of the existing building, creating a `T.' A new entrance with an overhang was also constructed to the west of the building. (G.D. FRONABARGER/SOUTHEAST MISSOURIAN)

Dave Niswonger clearly remembers an interview he had in fall 1960 to become assistant administrator of Southeast Missouri Hospital.

The committee appointed to conduct interviews explained that a south-wing addition, completed in 1957, had practically doubled the hospital's space to about 150 beds, and they felt the hospital was set for many years to come.

"They were pleased with that accomplishment, of course, and I recall they didn't think they would need another building program for 20 years," said Niswonger.

He was hired by Southeast and started work in January 1961 - later moving to the post of administrator in 1976. In December 1990, Niswonger retired from the hospital. He recalled, "There was only one month while I was there when we didn't have some sort of building program on the books."

One year after he started working at Southeast, all the beds were full and an admission waiting list of up to 20 people was common.

"It has been amazing the way the hospital was always in a growth pattern because needs have changed," said Niswonger. "We were constantly changing, even with the facilities we had, shuffling around our space. It has been a continuous thing during the whole time I was there."

Expansion of Southeast Hospital took off at the end of World War II, and an explosion of technology in the mid-1970s pushed most hospitals into a growth mode. Now, the trend toward outpatient care due to more new technology has hospitals changing again. Niswonger pointed out that Southeast now does 13 surgical procedures, once done on an inpatient basis, as outpatient treatment.

Talk of a non-denominational, non-profit community hospital first surfaced in Cape Girardeau in 1923. A year later an informal group had organized. The group purchased a 52.5 acre tract of land for $8,250 from Emil Thilenius and Mrs. Anna Keller, and later a five-acre tract from Hervey Little, where the main hospital building now stands.

The site was on the western edge of the city's boundary, near the property where Franklin School was to be built in 1926. The hospital committee divided most of the acreage into lots for residential development - known as Sunset Terrace - to help raise funds for the hospital.

On Aug. 6, 1926, the hospital association was incorporated with 23 members signing the documents. With an initial investment of $125,000 and 90 beds, the hospital opened officially on Jan. 10, 1928, on what became known as "hospital hill" overlooking Broadway. Cape Girardeau contractor A.H. Gerhardt built the initial building.

Before the hospital could really get started the Great Depression took its toll. Many patients were unable to pay their bills, putting increased pressure on the board to find funds to keep bills current.

The lack of funds led Southeast to default on most of its $75,000 bonded indebtedness and left board members scrambling to find ways to make ends meet.

Board members asked the county court to take over the hospital, but they could not afford to. Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis was also offered the hospital, but they couldn't afford the $68,000 in debt.

The bonding company couldn't afford to take over the hospital, so it allowed Southeast's board to just pay on the interest.

Many patients started paying their bills with things like chickens. A chicken house was quickly constructed to store these "payments," which provided eggs and food for patients. A large garden was also operated at the hospital to provide a fresh supply of produce, and members of area churches canned food from their gardens to help the hospital with a year-round supply of food.

As a result of the financial crunch, the hospital got behind in its bills. Many suppliers would not unload until they had a cash payment.

Niswonger said it was not uncommon for George Naeter, treasurer of the hospital board, to go down to Main Street and take up a collection from board members so groceries to feed patients would be unloaded.

Niswonger believes the strong support shown by board members and the community to help it get through the Great Depression has continued as a trademark for Southeast Missouri Hospital.

"One of the special things about Southeast Hospital has been the people involved in it," said Niswonger. "Reading through board minutes from even before I was involved shows a special interest and dedication on the part of board members. They really sacrificed to keep the hospital going.

"This spirit that began from a genuine interest of providing a community hospital for this area has continued. That is what always has impressed me about Southeast."

In 1948 the bonds were finally paid off, and for a short time Southeast Hospital was debt free. But the board of trustees continued to push for expansion to meet the changing needs of the community it served.

From the small beginnings on the edge of town, the hospital has developed into a medical center with over $78 million in assets. From 38 births and 868 admissions in 1928, Southeast has progressed to more than 1,600 births and over 63,000 patient visits annually. From a few dozen employees and an annual payroll of $24,625.44 - Southeast today has 1,400 employees and 281 beds.

The main hospital campus has approximately 20 acres. Besides the main campus Southeast Hospital has sites at 2851 Professional Court, the School of Nursing and Pediatric Spot; Home Health and Hospice Services at 760 S. Kingshighway; and Doctors' Park Outreach Services. There is also an outreach services office in Jackson.

A clinical services addition now under construction is the 12th major expansion for Southeast since its founding. It will increase by more than 40 percent the 250,000 square feet the hospital now has under roof.

The most recent expansion project was a $1.2 million north addition to the R.D. Harrison Annex. Constructed about the same time was the $2.1 million MRI Center adjacent to the Regional Cancer Center. A new, 178-vehicle parking garage was also completed in 1991.

Original incorporators of Southeast Hospital were: W.C. Bahn, Kenrick Burrough, J.B. Carpenter, Dr. H.L. Cunningham, Russell L. Dearmont, E.W. Flentge, Charles F. Fluhrer, A.W. Harrison, Alfred L. Harty, Dr. D.H. Hope, J.H. Himmelberger, M.E. Leming, G.L. Meyer, I. Ben Miller, George Naeter, A.M. Spradling, Dr. G.B. Schultz, Dr. and Mrs. O.L. Seabaugh, Dr. M.H. Shelby, D.B. Smith, Bernard A. Walther, and Dr. Carl A.W. Zimmerman.