SoutheastHEALTH to Break Ground on Dexter Emergency Services Expansion,
Adult Voluntary Behavioral Health Unit
Dexter, Missouri - Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County announced today a groundbreaking ceremony for its Emergency Services expansion and Adult Voluntary Behavioral Health Unit at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 15. The ceremony will be at the front entrance to Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County.
Southeast’s Emergency Services serves a critical role in providing emergent and life-saving care to individuals throughout Stoddard County by providing 24/7 service, which gives residents an inherent sense of safety and security. The project, a total of 30,982 square feet, will substantially increase the size of Emergency Services and is designed with the patient experience in mind. The Emergency Services 10-room expansion will be located adjacent to the new Southeast Medical Plaza. Features include a new waiting/triage area, trauma room, cardiac room, obstetrics room, three exam rooms for behavior health patients and four rooms for non-emergent healthcare needs. There also will be two additional ambulance bays and an update to the main hospital lobby.
The Adult Voluntary Behavioral Health Unit located on the second floor of the new addition will include 15 private patient rooms with full bathrooms along with areas for activities, group therapy, dining and visiting. Both projects are expected to be completed in late 2017.
The Emergency Services expansion will help meet the growing number of patients seeking care, said Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County Chief Executive Officer Sue Ann Williams. She noted that patient volumes in Emergency Services have grown nearly 18 percent since 2012. Approximately 12,000 patients are treated in Emergency Services annually.
“This project and the investment it requires underscores SoutheastHEALTH’s commitment to Dexter and the surrounding region and also exemplifies the outstanding community support of the Regional Healthcare Foundation,” said Ken Bateman, President and Chief Executive Officer of SoutheastHEALTH.
The project, he continued, will be grounded in the “principles of safety for our community, patients, staff and physicians, evidence-based practice, exceptional patient and family experiences and patient care coordination, providing high quality care, at a low cost, close to home.”
The Adult Voluntary Behavioral Health Unit will allow a more centralized location for services, he noted. The Emergency Services expansion’s holding area for behavioral health patients will provide a safer environment for patients and staff. Southeast Hospital does not have a dedicated screening and holding area, and there is not space for such an area in the Cape Girardeau facility. Approximately 650 behavioral health patients are treated at Southeast Hospital annually.
Once the expansion is complete the enhanced service offerings will provide 50 to 75 new jobs in Dexter and its surrounding communities. “The economic impact of this expansion is significant for residents of Stoddard County,” said Charlie Kruse, SoutheastHEALTH System board member and local Dexter farmer. “When businesses look to relocate their services, the first things they seek are the education and healthcare services available. This expansion is a tremendous investment in our community and further exemplifies the outstanding partner we have with SoutheastHEALTH.”
SoutheastHEALTH recently expanded its Cardiology services in Stoddard County by welcoming Fernando Arzola, MD, to the Southeast Medical Staff. Dr. Arzola, who is permanently based in Dexter, will help meet the increasing demand for cardiac and vascular services in and around Dexter.
“The expansion and investment in Cardiology and now Emergency Services and Behavioral Health services clearly defines SoutheastHEALTH’s commitment to the economic vitality of Dexter and surrounding communities,” said Greg Mathis, SoutheastHEALTH Regional Board of Directors Chairman. “I look forward to the successful completion of this project and ribbon cuttings in 2017 and 2018.”
Architects for the Emergency Services and Adult Voluntary Behavioral Unit project are Bates and Associates of St. Louis. Construction will be overseen by Kiefner Brothers Construction of Cape Girardeau.
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 12 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.
Cape Girardeau, Missouri - The SoutheastHEALTH Foundation will debut its First Annual Journey Gala on Saturday, January 21 at the Isle of Capri Event Center. Guests will enjoy an elaborately-themed “Night in Disguise – Venetian Masquerade,” along with a gourmet dinner, entertainment and a dance. The cocktail attire, black tie optional event begins at 6 p.m.
The gala benefits the SoutheastHEALTH Cancer Care Fund, which makes the cancer journey less stressful for those in need of urgent assistance during the course of their treatment. “We are so excited about the inaugural Journey Gala,” said SoutheastHEALTH Foundation Executive Director Patti Ranzini. “Funds raised from this wonderful event will help provide for the special needs of our friends who are battling cancer, right here, close to home. Each year the Foundation provides funding for transportation needs, lodging, nutritional supplements, pharmaceuticals, utility bills, rent and other unmet needs. We are committed to providing not only excellent clinical care but also compassionate support to patients and families at a crucial time.”
Jennifer Icaza-Gast and Anita Drury are serving as co-chairs for this year’s gala.
“The Southeast Cancer Center is such a special place,” said Icaza-Gast. “I am both honored and excited to help chair the first Journey Gala. To be able to raise money for this incredible center, give staff the ability to continue their excellent work and offer much-needed assistance to patients and families is a great thing. We promise you an incredible evening. Our inaugural event is just the first step in a journey that will include many more galas.”
Icaza-Gast noted that the committee already is discussing potential themes for 2018. “We can’t say what it might be, but we can say it will be astonishing.”
Funnyman Tom Green, internationally known comedian, actor, producer and cancer survivor will be the evening’s celebrity guest speaker. Green, a popular personality on MTV, has graced the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and commandeered the coveted guest-host chair on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
Green also was diagnosed with and beat testicular cancer. He wrote, directed and starred in a one-hour MTV television special titled “The Tom Green Cancer Special,” which documented his fight. The show received wide critical acclaim for revealing a touching and sensitive side to this television personality. Taking it all in stride, Green then started the “Tom Green’s Nuts Cancer Fund” to raise money for cancer research. Ten years later, Tom Green lives with the fact that he beat cancer and beating cancer has changed his life for the better.
The evening will continue with a silent and live auction and music by “Vote 4 Pedro” and dancing. Tickets are $150 each and may be purchased by calling the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation at 573-519-4920 or online at SEhealth.org/Gala. Event sponsors will have the opportunity to attend a VIP meet and green with Tom Green immediately preceding the gala. For more information about becoming a sponsor, call the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation.
About Southeast Cancer Center
Southeast Cancer Center is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care through prevention and early detection, evidence-based therapies provided by a highly experienced multidisciplinary team of cancer experts guided by an innovative, patient-focused approach with an emphasis on life, hope and each patient’s journey. SoutheastHEALTH has been dedicated to providing state-of-the-art cancer care since 1981 and annually serves nearly 1,000 patients and their families. The center’s Cancer Registry currently follows more than 3,100 patients in its Registry.
Dexter, Missouri - Each year the nursing department at SoutheastHEALTH Center of Stoddard County sponsors the Angel Tree project.
Area nursing homes and residential care facilities are asked to submit a list of names (up to 10) and needs of residents that no longer have family around for Christmas.
The SoutheastHEALTH employees and the community have the opportunity to adopt these angels from the tree.
This year they have over 80 angels on the tree located in the ICU nursing area. They encourage you to get involved in this worthwhile project either individually, as a department, or even as a business.
Pictured with the Angel Tree is Sonja Mays, RN. Sonja has been involved with this project for many years.
Dexter, Missouri - SoutheastHEALTH Center of Stoddard County Groundbreaking Ceremony for their Emergency Services Expansion and Behavior Health Addition will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 2:30 p.m.
Please join them at the front entrance of the SoutheastHEALTH Center at 1200 N. One Mile Road.
Refreshments will be served.
Dexter, Missouri - Joyce Clark of Dexter was the lucky winner of the SoutheastHEALTH Center of Stoddard County Auxiliary raffle featuring unique horse-hair pottery by Aldrich Valley Pottery.
Pictured from left to right, Auxiliary President Betty Keirsey, Joyce Clark and Bonnie Harty, Auxiliary Treasurer.
