Cape Girardeau, Missouri - Southeast Hospice honored its dedicated volunteers at its 20th annual appreciation banquet held in November. McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center has sponsored the event since its inception.
Volunteer Joy Galentine of Jackson received the 2015 Cherub Award. The Guardian Angel Award went to Carolyn Pickens of Jackson, and Mark Kiblinger Cape Girardeau received the Gabriel Award.
The Cherub Award recognizes any volunteer or group of volunteers who offer support primarily in the areas of fundraising, office support and public relations. The Guardian Angel Award is given to a Hospice volunteer who expresses dedication to patients and families. The Gabriel Award is the highest award and recognizes a volunteer who has shown dedication to patients and families in a variety of ways, both directly and indirectly.
Galentine joined Southeast Hospice in 2011. “She spends a considerable amount of time in the Hospice office, putting in 237 hours this year through her almost weekly visits to the office,” says Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Pearla Smith.
Pickens started volunteering with Southeast Hospice in 1997. “She has been known to serve two patients at a time. She relates well with patients and families, often delivering casseroles to families who have lost a loved one,” Smith notes. Pickens also is trained as an 11th Hour Volunteer and Spiritual Volunteer. Including on-call hours, Pickens donated 1590.75 hours in 2015.
Kiblinger began volunteering with Southeast Hospice in 2007. Smith says, “Mark is considered a very good listener and is usually asked to by our social workers to visit our Veterans Administration patients.” Kiblinger was saluted for his willingness to assist with special projects, office work and the Recollections Program which allows Southeast Hospice patients to share treasured stories and memories on a video.
All told, Southeast Hospice volunteers donated 12,573 hours of service to assist terminally ill patients and their families this year.
Volunteer Helen Hunt, who makes pillows for Hospice patients, reached a milestone of 4,134 donated hours this year.
Tina Bles was recognized for donating the most direct care hours, 118.5 and Phyllis Lee was recognized for donating the most on-call hours, 1,520. Ten-year volunteers Bles and Linnie Harris also were recognized.
Southeast Hospice welcomed new volunteers Jim Day, Maci Daniel, Erika Kropp and Cindy Moore.
Pictured are three Southeast Hospice volunteers who were recognized for outstanding service at the organization’s recent appreciation dinner. From left are Joy Galentine, recipient of the Cherub Award; Carolyn Pickens, recipient of the Guardian Award; and Mark Kiblinger, recipient of the Gabrial Award.
About SoutheastHEALTH
At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in southeast Missouri, our patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within our network are more than 50 care locations in 14 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area. Learn more at SEhealth.org.
These sheets are great and make wonderful gifts for Christmas! There are not only sheets, but fleece blankets and comforters! Stop by and check it out!
Proceeds go to a great cause!
Dexter, Missouri - Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County announced today change in its executive leadership with the resignation of Adam Bracks as CEO, and the appointment of Sue Ann Williams to Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
“I am passionate about the Dexter community, hospital and its employees," said Williams. "I look forward to working with board members and leadership teams to continue to have Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County be the premier healthcare facility in our region.”
Williams brings more than 25 years of relevant industry experience to her new role. She recently served as assistant administrator for the Health Center and clinic administrator for Missouri Southern Healthcare Clinics in Dexter.
“Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County is in an enviable position to capitalize on the strength and experience of Williams’s leadership to support the future development of our Stoddard facility,” said Ken Bateman, president and CEO of SoutheastHEALTH. “This change will have a positive impact on our long-term plans for continued growth and health service expansion for Dexter and surrounding communities.”
Sue Ann and her husband, Michael, have three sons: Michael, Eric and Craig. They reside in Dexter.
About SoutheastHEALTH
At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in Southeast Missouri, our patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within our network are more than 50 care locations in 14 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area. For more information, visit SEhealth.org.
Dexter, Missouri - The Rotary Club will host a Blood Drive on Monday, October 12 from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Dexter.
The American Red Cross is facing a looming shortage of the blood types most needed by patients and is calling on eligible donors with O negative, B negative and A negative blood to give now to prevent an emergency situation. Blood donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Overall blood donations in the Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region have been approximately 3,000 fewer per month in June and July this year than the previous 10 months of the year. When demand for the most needed types begins to outpace donations, the Red Cross alerts donors to help restock the shelves.
Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type. Types B negative and A negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients. Eligible donors are encouraged to donate double red cells – a process where two units of red cells are collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor – where available.
“Summer blood shortages are not uncommon, but they can be prevented when generous volunteers roll up their sleeves to help save lives,” said Todd Wagner, donor recruitment director for the Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Region. “Many donors have already given this summer. We’re now asking donors who haven’t donated, and those who are eligible again, to make an appointment to give now to help ensure blood products are available for patients.”
Platelets and type AB plasma also needed
Platelet donors and those with type AB blood are also continually needed to help ensure patients receive the lifesaving blood products they need. Platelets – a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, surgical patients and bone narrow recipients – must be transfused within five days of donation, so donations are constantly needed. Donors with type AB blood are urged to give blood or platelets to restock the plasma supply. Type AB donors have the universal plasma type, which can be given to patients of all blood types.
Individuals who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again and help patients like an expectant mother at a Red Cross-supported hospital who is currently receiving nearly 100 units of blood products a week until she delivers. Her need alone could add up to 1,100 units.
How to donate blood
The free Blood Donor App – available in app stores by searching for American Red Cross or by texting BLOODAPP to 90999 – not only makes appointment scheduling easy, but donors can also access their digital donor card and be notified when their donation is distributed to a hospital. Donors can also visitredcrossblood.orgor call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors in the Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visitredcrossblood.org/RapidPassand follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visitredcross.orgor visit us on Twitter at@RedCross.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., with one in eight developing invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, mastectomy surgery or treatment of complications.
Blood donor Mary Thorngate Hall is one such example. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2010.
“I began treatment (with) my first round of chemotherapy lasting six hours. My body did not tolerate it, and I began to hemorrhage,” she said. “I needed blood to survive. I cannot express my gratitude to the people who donated their lifesaving blood.”
Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood.
To make an appointment to donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores or text BLOODAPP to 90999 to receive a download link, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Dexter
10/16/2015: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Dexter High School, 1101 West Grant
Puxico
10/16/2015: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mingo Job Corps Center, 4253 State Highway T
