SOUTHEAST HOSPITAL PRESENTS AWARDS

A tribute to five longtime friends of Southeast Missouri Hospital and a review of highlights of the past year highlighted the annual dinner meeting Thursday of the Southeast Missouri Hospital Association.

The dinner at the Show Me Center attracted over 800 association members and guests. It was built around the theme "Keeping Time With the Times."

The service given to Southeast by three individuals was recognized with presentation of the Outstanding Service Award to Stephen E. Strom, Clarence Lee Shirrell and Max Stovall.

Strom, who has just taken honorary trustee status after having served 30 years on the hospital's board of trustees, served as president from 1979 to 1981.

During his presidency he oversaw a number of major projects, including development of the Regional Cancer Center, construction of additional parking lots, expansion of the obstetrics unit to include a neonatal intensive care nursery, redesign of the hospital logo and signage system, establishment of the area's first hospital-based wellness program, construction of a pediatric special-care unit, planning of the east services addition, and planning and establishment of the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation.

Shirrell served on the active board of trustees for 23 years before joining the honorary board in 1991. As board president from 1987 to 1989, Shirrell also led Southeast through a period of service and technological advances that included a $2 million renovation project featuring new obstetrics and pediatrics departments, construction of a new laboratory, introduction of MRI services to the area, development of the LifeBeat Air Medical Service, construction of a second cardiac catheterization lab, establishment of a mammography area in the radiology department, the opening of a guest house for patients undergoing outpatient cancer treatment, establishment of an off-site industrial rehabilitation center, and numerous property acquisitions to allow for continued expansion of hospital facilities and parking.

Stovall served on the active board of trustees from 1978 until taking honorary status in 1996. From 1987 until 1993, Stovall served on the board executive committee. Throughout his service on the board, Stovall offered his professional expertise to guide the hospital through 10 major construction projects and numerous renovation and beautification projects. For 12 years, Stovall served as chairman of the building and grounds committee. He also assumed a leadership in the board's acquisition of property around the hospital. In addition, Stovall actively participated in many fund-raising campaigns to support hospital expansion and renovation projects and equipment additions.

A Special Service Award, which recognizes and thanks those who strive to advance the quality of health services, went to O.D. Nisownger, who retired as Southeast administrator in 1990 after 29 years with the hospital and 14 years as its CEO. Since then, Niswonger has continued to be a loyal supporter of Southeast and an active volunteer for the hospital. His continued contributions include membership in the association and the auxiliary and service on the professional advisory board of the College of Nursing. He has been actively involved in the hospital foundation as a member of the board of directors and chaplain of the board; as a member of the foundation's executive committee, the donor recognition committee and the major gifts committee.

A second recipient of the award, Dr. C.P. McGinty, has been a member of the medical community for 44 years. McGinty was saluted for choosing not to retire but to redirect his expertise and energy. Since retirement from active practice as a surgeon, McGinty has served as medical director for Southeast hospice and now serves as assistant medical director.