People on the move 12/30/02

Big River announces hire of new sales rep

Cecil Ramey has joined Big River Telephone as a customer service representative. Ramey comes to Big River Telephone with many years of communications experience in the industry. He has worked with customers throughout the region solving business issues with information technology tools. Ramey will work extensively with the Cape Girardeau-based business' customers throughout the area.

Big River Telephone brings network service solutions to Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and western Kentucky. The company operates a regional fixed wireless network that delivers local, long-distance, data and Internet services to the region.

Miller joins Cape Prudential office

Retta Miller has joined Prudential Financial Services, at 1020 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. As a financial services associate, and 23 years of banking experience, Miller will be serving clients' insurance and financial needs throughout the Cape Girardeau area.

The Prudential Insurance Co. of America is among the largest financial services institutions in the world, and one of the largest life insurance companies in the United States.

Cox attains certification as lactation consultant

Carmen Cox, assistant nurse manager of Southeast Missouri Hospital's Dennis B. Elrod, M.D., Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, has passed the board certification examination offered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. She is now listed with the National and International Registries as a registered lactation consultant.

Certification is the gold standard of competency in the lactation field. This certification is the only official, international credential for those offering breast-feeding and lactation care. There are now approximately 14,000 registered lactation consultants worldwide.

Cox has RN and BSN degrees from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society.

Schuch named to nursing leadership council

Maggie Schuch, RN, MSN, CCRN, nurse manager of Southeast Missouri Hospital's Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit and Surgical Progressive Care Unit, has been selected to participate on the third annual Leadership Council for Nursing Students of the Missouri League for Nursing. The purpose of the council is to facilitate mentor relationships between nursing students and Missouri League for Nursing members and other nurse leaders.

Schuch attended the leadership conference at Lake of the Ozarks along with other nursing leaders from throughout Missouri to begin working on projects with nursing students. An employee at Southeast since 1988, Schuch has a BSN degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and an MSN degree from Southeast Missouri State University. She is also a certified critical care nurse and trauma nurse specialist.

Accountants attend tax camp in St. Louis

Schott and Van de Ven CPAs Connie Brown, Holly Thomas and Cheryl Morris attended Surgent's Tax Camp in St. Louis. The course covered late-breaking changes in tax law and recent developments in individual and business taxation.

Brown is also a certified valuation analyst and is the audit manager for the firm. Thomas is a certified specialist in estate planning. Morris has been a CPA since 1999. All three have extensive experience in tax return preparation.

St. Francis' Pleimann announces retirement

Gregory J. Pleimann, vice president of finance at St. Francis Medical Center, announced his retirement effective Dec. 20. Pleimann began his career with St. Francis Medical Center in 1973, when the hospital was on Good Hope Street.

Steven Bjelich, St. Francis president and CEO, said Pleimann's accomplishments over the years have positioned St. Francis well for the future, both financially and operationally. St. Francis has maintained financial viability that ensures a high standard of care for our patients despite the scarcity of resources in today's health care environment, Bjelich said.

Pleimann, a fellow in the Healthcare Financial Management Association, began his career as accounting supervisor at Liberty Loan Corporation in St. Louis from 1967 to 1969. He then assumed an auditor position for Medicare provider reimbursement in St. Louis with Blue Cross and Blue Shield until 1973. Pleimann earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from St. Louis University. His 30 years of service was recognized at a retirement reception planned at the hospital.

Ridgeway company honors sales agents

Thomas L. Meyer of Ridgeway Realty Co. of Perryville, Mo., gave special recognition to the sales agents of the company, in an award dinner that was held at Kellys, honoring their achievement in sales production for the year 2002.

Karen Ellis received the highest honors with Pinnacle Award and Chairman Award, for the highest sales volume. Gene Greyer also received the Chairman Award, and Harold Fritsche earned the President Award for sales generation. Vickie Roman received the Manager's Award, with Ken Davis and Susan Winkler receiving the Achievement Award. Ray Brown, who started with the company last year, received the Rookie of the Year Award.

-- From staff reports