NEW DOCS ADDED TO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Recent announcements of some plant closings in Southeast Missouri have been offset to a large extent by the enormous expansion of existing industry -- reportedly near the $1 billion mark this year. While efforts to bring more jobs to the area continue unabated, an ongoing effort to bring more doctors to Cape Girardeau has had unprecedented success in the past 12 months.

At a recent reception sponsored by St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital, 34 physicians who have begun practicing medicine here since October 1998 were honored. In that same time frame, two doctors have retired, and five have left the area. This mean there are 27 more doctors -- more than 200 practicing physicians altogether -- here than a year ago.

In terms of economic development, this is equivalent to adding another major industry to our community.

New doctors spur other support-job opportunities. They create more business for our hospitals, pharmacies, health-supply stores and rehabilitation and therapy clinics.

Among this year's crop of new doctors are several new specialists, which means more and more patients from an ever-widening area will look for high-quality medical care in Cape Girardeau rather than St. Louis or Memphis.

Cape Girardeau is truly a regional medical center. Both hospitals have added services that ordinarily would be found only in big metropolitan areas. Some specialists in our area have national and even international reputations for their skills and developments in medical science.

As more people seek medical treatment in Cape Girardeau, there will be a constant expectation for more services requiring even more doctors. Again, Southeast Missouri Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center play key roles in recruitment, working jointly to attract the finest, highest quality physicians.

It is a credit to Cape Girardeau that our town has developed a good reputation as a medical center and as a place to practice medicine. And it is a credit to both hospitals that they have been vigilant in their recruiting efforts.

To the new physicians: Welcome. To the many doctors who have made Cape Girardeau their home: Thanks.