Health briefs

__RUSTEN JOINS SOUTHEAST hospital STAFF__

__Dr. Mark C. Rusten,__ otolaryngology, joined the medical staff at Southeast Hospital. He is affiliated with Southeast Ear, Nose & Throat and previously practiced in Paducah, Ky. Rusten is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, with professional memberships in the American Academy of Otolaryngology and the American Medical Association.

__P.B. OPTOMETRIST IS BOARD CERTIFIED__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- __Dr. Michael R. Penney__ of Poplar Bluff has become nationally board certified by the American Board of Optometry. He is one of only 14 optometrists in Missouri to obtain this certification, which is good for 10 years. Penney passed a rigorous exam in St. Louis and will be required to maintain 50 credit hours of continuing education each year.

Paula Harris

__SOUTHEAST NAMES REGIONAL OPERATIONS VP__

__Paula Harris__ was named vice president of regional operations of SoutheastHEALTH. She most recently served as CEO of Advanced Health Care Management Services, headquartered in Poplar Bluff, Mo., for five years. Harris assumes her new role following the Jan. 1 acquisition of Advanced by SoutheastHEALTH. Her background includes clinical experience in acute, skilled, ambulatory and home care settings. Harris is now responsible for all SoutheastHEALTH facilities outside Cape Girardeau County, including Missouri Southern Healthcare and primary-care clinics in Bloomfield, Bernie, Malden and Dexter; Advanced's entities, which include Advanced Healthcare Medical Center in Ellington and primary/specialty care operations in Ellington, Poplar Bluff Doniphan and Van Buren as well as a retail pharmacy and medical spa in Poplar Bluff; and Ripley County Memorial Hospital in Doniphan.

__PERRY COUNTY, SOUTHEAST PARTNER FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT__

The Southeast Weight Management Center at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, in partnership with Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville, Mo., is offering a comprehensive program that can be tailored to the unique health and weight loss needs of individuals with any type of weight condition. Depending on individual weight loss goals, the center offers both surgical and nonsurgical options that cover the entire spectrum of solutions.

Dr. Justin D. Floyd

__FLOYD BEGINS SEEING PATIENTS IN PERRYVILLE__

Saint Francis Medical Center and Perry County Memorial Hospital announced that __Dr. Justin D. Floyd,__ medical oncologist and hematologist, began seeing patients at Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville, Mo., on Jan. 17. Floyd's arrival gives Perryville's cancer patients increased access to the technological advances and clinical expertise of the oncology team at Perry County. Floyd's services include outpatient consultations regarding hematologic and oncologic disorders, as well as the administration of chemotherapy. Floyd will continue to see patients at Saint Francis.

__GRIFFIN RECOGNIZED BY 'HEARING REVIEW'__

Kyle Griffin

__Kyle Griffin,__ hearing instrument specialist for Miracle-Ear Center of Cape Girardeau, was recognized in the December issue of "The Hearing Review," a journal of hearing health care professionals. Griffin was recognized as one of the best hearing health care professionals in the nation.

__SEHEALTH.ORG WINS LEADERSHIP AWARD__

SoutheastHEALTH's website, SEhealth.org, ranks as one of the nation's best health care Internet sites: SoutheastHEALTH earned a Silver Award for Best Overall Internet Site in the Healthcare System category for 2012. Some 1,100 entries were received from a wide range of health care organizations in 14 award categories. Winners were recognized at the 16th annual Healthcare Internet Conference held in November in Las Vegas. Factors considered in judging included delivery of strong health content, interactivity, medical care support, integration with the organization's operations, strength of Web design and ease of navigation.

Lauren Thomas

__THOMAS NAMED LAB DIRECTOR__

__Lauren Thomas__ was promoted to the position of laboratory director at SoutheastHEALTH. She succeeds Norman Anderson, who retired after a 45-year career with Southeast. Thomas began working at Southeast in 2000 as a phlebotomist and has held technologist, supervisor and manager positions since that time.

__FAMILY EYE CARE HAS NEW OFFICE__

DEXTER, Mo. -- The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Jan. 8 for Family Eye Care, 812 N. One Mile Road, to recognize the new location of __Dr. Jennifer K. Howard__ and __Dr. Katie Mayberry.__ The practice formerly operated on Walnut Street near downtown Dexter. The two optometrists practice both in the Dexter facility and at their sister facility in Advance, Mo., called Vision Source Advance.

__SEMO HEALTH NETWORK OPENS NEW FACILITY__

MATTHEWS, Mo. -- SEMO Health Network opened a new facility Dec. 20 in Matthews. The Matthews Wellness and Nutrition Center has an indoor walking track, treadmills, weight machines and group exercise classes. According to __Cheryl White,__ CEO of SEMO Health Network, the only requirement to use the facility is to be seen at one of the network's medical locations once every six months. The New Madrid Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for the center Dec. 19.

__ANDREWS, PAPPAS PUBLISH BOOK__

__Dr. Aaron Andrews__ and __Dr. Philip Pappas__ of Jackson Healing Arts have written a book, "What You Don't Know Can Heal You: Revealing Secrets to the Most Overlooked Answer for a Healthier Life." The book, published by Totally Booked Practice LLC, is available for purchase at their chiropractic office at 3130 E. Jackson Blvd. and at Hastings Books Music & Videos in Cape Girardeau.

__COMMUNITY COUNSELING CENTER BREAKS GROUND ON ADDITION__

The Community Counseling Center broke ground in January on a two-story, 9,500-square-foot addition to its facility at 402 S. Silver Springs Road in Cape Girardeau. The addition will house administration offices and the Community Based Solutions program. Construction is planned for completion by late summer.

Dr. Vincenzo Galati

__GALATI EARNS MD ANDERSON CERTIFICATION__

__Dr. Vincenzo Galati,__ a urologist with Saint Francis Medical Center, was certified by MD Anderson Cancer Network through the medical center. MD Anderson Cancer Center is the top cancer hospital, according to U.S. News & World Report's "Best Hospital" survey. Experts there have developed disease-specific guidelines for cancer treatment, cancer prevention, early detection and follow-up care that allow MD Anderson-certified physicians to bring new hope and knowledge to local cancer patients. Galati joins 26 other MD Anderson-certified physicians fighting cancer at Saint Francis' Cancer Institute.

Wayne Smith

__SMITH ELECTED PRESIDENT, MHA SOUTHEAST DISTRICT COUNCIL__

__Wayne Smith,__ president and CEO of SoutheastHEALTH, was elected to a one-year term as president of the Missouri Hospital Association's Southeast District Council. His term began Jan. 1. As district council president, Smith's responsibilities include presiding over council meetings and guiding discussions on association policies and activities. One of six MHA district council presidents, he will direct input from council members on national, state and regional health care policies to the MHA board of trustees. District council presidents also select recipients of MHA's Excellence in Governance awards.

__MEDICENTER PHARMACY OPENS IN CAPE__

A grand opening and ribbon cutting were held Jan. 28 for MediCenter Pharmacy, which has opened at 465 S. Mount Auburn Road, Suite 101, next to Doctors Express in Cape Girardeau. MediCenter is an independently owned pharmacy with an existing location at 200 W. Washington St. in Jackson.

__PERRY COUNTY ADDS RHEUMATOLOGY CLINIC__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- __Dr. Chad M. Ronholm__ joined Perry County Memorial Hospital, where he is offering a comprehensive rheumatology specialty clinic. His specialties include internal medicine and rheumatology. His rheumatology clinic focuses on the treatment of conditions such as fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, tendinitis, arthritis and muscle, bone and joint disorders.

__POPLAR BLUFF HOSPITAL MOVES INTO NEW LOCATION__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center moved to its new facility at 3100 Oak Grove Road on Jan. 26, the Daily American Republic reported. The new hospital and emergency room opened at 6 a.m. that day, although doctors and nurses at the north campus continued to see patients who were already at the emergency room. Contractors and construction workers are still visible at the campus as the one-story medical office building is completed. Physician offices are scheduled to open in the summer, said Tiffany Jenkins, marketing director for the medical center. The Cancer Center and Physical Assessment and Rehabilitation Center will remain at the north campus.