LETTERS: HOSPITAL SAYS THANKS

To the editor:

On behalf of the Southeast Missouri Hospital Board of Trustees, I would like to express the hospital's thanks to the community for its patience over the past five years as Southeast has progressed through its three-phase development plan and for the community's continued interest in the growth of hospital facilities and services.

Over 2,000 area residents shared their Sunday afternoon with us on Aug. 4, touring our new lobby wing, the third and final piece in Southeast's current development plan. The lobby wing project opens the door to a number of new facilities and service designed to benefit patients and visitors.

We invite those who did not have an opportunity to be a part of the open-house festivities to stop by Southeast and become acquainted with services and facilities in the new lobby wing. In addition to an easily accessible new lobby, the $5.9 million project includes a new Southeast Missouri Hospital Auxiliary gift shop, a new and expanded patient registration area located conveniently just off the main lobby, Marriott's Lacey's on the Hill mezzanine restaurant, new cashier and business representative offices, four new meeting rooms, a new medical records department, new quality management office, new biomedical services and central service department, a new outpatient gastroenterology lab, and newly redecorated Harrison Room used for numerous professional seminars and community gatherings. This fall, Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation's new commemorative brick garden will open. More than 575 specially inscribed bricks, each a touching tribute to friends and loved ones, have already been ordered for the courtyard garden.

On the evening of Aug. 4, another 900 guests joined us at Capaha Park to enjoy an outstanding performance given by the energetic and talented Decatur Park Singers. It was our pleasure to showcase this outstanding group of young people as a special way of saying thank you to the community for its support.

I would also like to thank the Southeast Missourian for working with the hospital to produce the special Aug. 2 insert which so beautifully led readers through the hospital's new front door.

Sixty-nine years ago, in 1927, the community helped build the "hospital on the hill." Thanks to the support of the community, we have continued to grow. We exist because of the community, and serving the community is indeed a privilege.

JAMES W. WENTE, Administrator

Southeast Missouri Hospital

Cape Girardeau