POPLAR BLUFF HOSPITAL EARNS GOLD SEAL

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center again earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals. The hospital underwent a rigorous unannounced five-day on-site survey, where a team of Joint Commission surveyors evaluated for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.

BISHOP ATTENDS HEARING CLASSES

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Lisa Bishop of Heartland Hearing completed 15 hours of certification classes in audiologic techniques and new technology.

SOUTHEAST AWARDED LEADERSHIP GRANT

SoutheastHEALTH was awarded a $50,000 "Grow Your Own" grant from the Missouri Hospital Association to launch its Leadership Learning Journey program. The Leadership Learning Journey program is "designed to expand and enhance our leadership development and key employee training," said SoutheastHEALTH president and CEO Wayne Smith in a news release.

STEWART TAKES NEW POSITION IN ARKANSAS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Charles L. Stewart, who has served as market CEO for Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and the Southeast Missouri area for 19 months, was promoted to market CEO for Sparks Health System in Fort Smith, Ark., also owned by Health Management Associates. He began working at the Poplar Bluff hospital in February 2012 and left at the end of September this year. HMA's leadership team has already started searching for his replacement.

VEIN & ESTHETIC CENTRE RELOCATES

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Dr. Tom Critchlow and the Vein & Esthetic Centre relocated to 225 Physicians Park Drive, Suite 102 in Poplar Bluff.

SUEDEKUM MARKS 25 YEARS WITH BENNETT DENTISTRY

Linda Suedekum of Cape Girardeau celebrated 25 years of employment with Bennett Family Dentistry in Cape Girardeau. Suedekom joined the dental practice in August 1988 and has worked as a dental assistant and more recently as lab manager.

SAINT FRANCIS PURCHASES LAND IN DEXTER

DEXTER, Mo. -- Saint Francis Healthcare System announced Sept. 12 that it has purchased 18 acres of land at U.S. 60 Outer Road and Harris Drive in Dexter and will build an outreach health care facility on the site. Current plans call for ambulatory services, primary care, rehabilitation therapies and wellness. Specific building plans will be revealed at a later date. The purchase price was not disclosed.

BRENNER NAMED EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Andrew Brenner joined Southeast Hospital as medical director of emergency services. He has actively practiced emergency medicine for more than 30 years and is board certified in emergency medicine. Before coming to Cape Girardeau, he served as an emergency physician and medical director at Valley View Medical Center in Fort Mohave, Ariz.

SOUTHEAST ANNOUNCES PLANS TO EXPAND CAPE HOSPITAL

SoutheastHEALTH plans to build a new 24-bed outpatient observation unit and a 12-bed pediatric emergency, observation and inpatient unit on the east side of Southeast Hospital, according to a news release from the hospital. The new pediatric area will be built next to the current emergency room at the Cape Girardeau hospital. The outpatient observation unit will be built on the second floor of the addition, above the pediatric area. The work is expected to be completed during the next year. In addition, remodeling of Southeast Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit and the ambulatory surgery area are scheduled to be completed by fall 2014. SoutheastHEALTH is working with the Cape Girardeau County Industrial Development Authority to secure $40 million in bonds to fund the projects, provide for equipment and refinance existing bonds used for capital improvements. The pediatric unit will be staffed with pediatric hospitalists. The new construction is expected to make available more private rooms in the hospital and result in creation of some 30 new jobs.

SOUTHEAST TO BEGIN EXPANSION AT STODDARD COUNTY CENTER

DEXTER, Mo. -- SoutheastHEALTH Center of Stoddard County is embarking on a $10 million expansion project, according to a news release from SoutheastHEALTH. The $3 million first phase involves construction of a new medical office building on the west side of the grounds of the Dexter hospital. The building will house seven physicians and 30 treatment rooms. The second phase will include a $2.6 million renovation of the Dexter hospital. As part of that phase, the emergency room will be moved to the northwest corner of the hospital, where it will be visible from both Highway 60 and One Mile Road. The new emergency room will be larger and include more treatment rooms than the current facility. Plans also call for modernizing patient rooms and other areas of the hospital. Equipment will be upgraded as part of the project. The hospital's six-slice CT scanner will be replaced with a 64-slice scanner, which will provide faster scans and higher-resolution images. Hugh King, vice president and chief financial officer for SoutheastHEALTH, said they plan to issue $20 million in bonds through the Stoddard County Industrial Development Authority. The bond proceeds will fund $10 million for the lease buyout from SunLink and $10 million to pay for renovations and new equipment. These bonds will be repaid by SoutheastHEALTH and backed by a hospital revenue pledge, he said.

BEQUETTE NAMED STAR SERVICE EMPLOYEE

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Registered nurse Dawn Bequette was selected as Star Service Team Member for September at Parkland Health Center. She is a nurse on the medical/surgical floor of Parkland Health Center. She has worked at Parkland for 22 years.

CATTANEO JOINS PRESBYTERIAN MANOR

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Ray Cattaneo was hired as environmental services director at Farmington Presbyterian Manor. He brings more than 18 years of experience in operations and building management. He has worked with Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America (PMMA) for two years and previously worked with a PMMA community in Kirkwood, Mo., where he was a maintenance supervisor.

NEW LIVING COMMUNITY CUTS RIBBON

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Locally owned Americare and the Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce held an open house and ribbon cutting Sept. 12 for La Bonne Maison, an independent and assisted living community on the corner of Plaza Drive and Salcedo in Sikeston. The 3.5-acre site is a 24-unit, single-story residence that includes 24/7 personal assistance, a full-time licensed nurse, housekeeping and laundry services, restaurant-style dining, wellness programs and more. The campus also includes an independent living option. The cottages at La Bonne Maison offer one- or two-bedroom maintenance-free town homes. Americare operates nearly 100 other senior living communities throughout Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Illinois.

TINSELY JOINS WESTWOOD HILLS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Dr. Austin Tinsley joined Westwood Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center as therapy director for rehab services.