NEW DOCTORS EXPAND REGION'S BASE OF SPECIALIZED CARE

Cape Girardeau is fortunate that its economy is spread over so many businesses and industries. When one falters, another will bolster the community. The town has become a center for a number of professions: education, retail and, of course, medical.

One indicator of the region's good health as a medical hub occurs each fall when new physicians are welcomed to town. Last week, 13 doctors representing almost as many specialties were greeted at a reception. The event is co-sponsored each year by St. Francis Medical Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital and the Cape Girardeau County Medical Society.

All 13 of the doctors were recruited by existing medical practices. Dr. Walt Schroeder, president of the medical society, said 13 is a high number of new physicians in one year. Many of these were attracted Cape Girardeau's status as a non-metropolitan area with a low crime rate, top-notch schools and first-rate medical facilities.

The specialties of the new doctors include radiology, ophthalmology, endocrinology, anesthesiology, rehabilitation/physical medicine, cardiology, orthopedics, cardiothoracic surgery, obstetrics/gynecology and gastroenterology.

The slate of new doctors shows how hard it is to attract general practitioners. But Cape Girardeau is certainly not alone in this pursuit. Many towns are finding little success in recruiting general practitioners who can find fewer hours and the same pay working with an HMO in a metropolitan area.

But the medical community obviously benefits from specialized doctors. No longer do patients have to go to Memphis or St. Louis to receive specialized care.

Cape Girardeau welcomes these new doctors to town and wishes them well in their practices. Their presence helps to reaffirm Cape Girardeau's position as the regional medical hub.