Cape Girardeau, Missouri -   Saint Francis Healthcare System is proud to announce the appointment of David C. Prather, CPA, as Chief Financial Officer/ Vice President of Finance.



In his new role, Prather will oversee Saint Francis Healthcare System’s overall financial plans and policies and will direct its accounting practices. Prather’s responsibilities will include direct investments, budgeting, audit, tax, accounting, and real estate. 



Prather joined Saint Francis in 1995, having previously worked for Eck & Braeckel and Baird, Kurtz, & Dobson. He most recently served as the Healthcare System’s Controller, managing various financial duties. 



Prather earned a B.S. in Accounting from Southern Illinois University, where he graduated Magna cum Laude, before earning his MBA from the same institution.

While attending Southern Illinois University, he was a member of Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Society.

He is a member of Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). 

Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-a-half“ to make sure everyone knows they’re closer to the next age than the last.

When you are older, “and-a-half” birthdays start making a comeback. In fact, starting at age 50, several birthdays and “half-birthdays” are critical to understand because they have implications regarding your retirement income.

At age 50, workers in certain qualified retirement plans are able to begin making annual catch-up contributions in addition to their normal contributions. Those who participate in 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans can contribute an additional $6,000 per year in 2017.¹ Those who participate in Simple IRA or Simple 401(k) plans can make a catch-up contribution of up to $3,000 in 2017. And those who participate in traditional IRAs can set aside an additional $1,000 a year.²

At age 59½, workers are able to start making withdrawals from qualified retirement plans without incurring a 10% federal income-tax penalty. This applies to workers who have contributed to IRAs and employer-sponsored plans, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans (457 plans are never subject to the 10% penalty). Keep in mind that distributions from traditional IRAs, 401(k) plans, and other employer-sponsored retirement plans are taxed as ordinary income.

At age 62 workers are first able to draw Social Security retirement benefits. However, if a person continues to work, those benefits will be reduced. The Social Security Administration will deduct $1 in benefits for each $2 an individual earns above an annual limit. In 2016, the income limit is $16,920.

At age 65, individuals can qualify for Medicare. The Social Security Administration recommends applying three months before reaching age 65. It’s important to note that if you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospitalization) and Part B (medical insurance) without an additional application.³

Between ages 65 and 67, individuals become eligible to receive 100% of their Social Security benefit. The age varies, depending on birth year. Individuals born in 1955, for example, become eligible to receive 100% of their benefits when they reach age 66 years and 2 months. Those born in 1960 or later need to reach age 67 before they’ll become eligible to receive full benefits.

Fast Fact: Early Benefits. The most popular age to begin taking Social Security benefits is 62—the age chosen by 42% of men and 48% of women.

Source: The Motley Fool, April 19, 2016

At age 70½, participants must begin taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs and qualified retirement plans, such as 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans. RMDs are based on your account balance and life expectancy.

Understanding key birthdays may help you better prepare for certain retirement income and benefits. But perhaps more importantly, knowing key birthdays can help you avoid penalties that may be imposed if you miss the date.

The catch-up limit is adjusted in $500 increments.

If you reach the age of 50 before the end of the calendar year.

Individuals can decline Part B coverage because it requires an additional premium payment.

WOODRUFF NAMED NEW CHIEF NURSING OFFICER

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. –  Saint Francis is proud to announce the appointment of Julie Woodruff, RN, BSN, as Chief Nursing Officer. 

In her new role, Woodruff will be responsible for the standards of patient care and nursing practice. She will be the nurse leader at the executive level, providing authority and accountability as it regards to patient care and nursing practice. She will also participate with the Board of Directors, Executive Staff, Medical Staff, and clinical leaders to assist in directing the decision-making structures and processes of the Medical Center. 

Woodruff joined Saint Francis in 1998 and served as Operating Room Manager before being named Surgical Services Director in 2016. Her experience also includes service as a Nurse Manager and Surgical Assistant for an OB-GYN practice. 

Woodruff earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University. 

Cape Girardeau, Missouri - HMR Weight Management Services (HMR) is one of U.S. News & World Report’s best fast weight loss diets of 2018, based on the rankings released in early January. The Healthy Weigh, Saint Francis Medical Center’s medically supervised weight-loss program, incorporates diet solutions from HMR.

HMR was ranked the number one Best Fast Weight-Loss Diet in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Diets of 2018 rankings. This is the third year the magazine has published the Best Fast Weight-Loss Diet category. HMR Programs focus on helping people lose weight quickly while teaching the healthy lifestyle skills needed for long-term weight management.

Saint Francis has offered the HMR Program for six years to community members in Southeast Missouri and beyond who are interested in losing weight fast and keeping it off. So far, participants have lost more than 18,000 pounds and counting!

“Successful weight loss is not only about losing pounds quickly, it’s about creating changes around eating and physical activity that you can sustain over the long term,” said Carol Addy, M.D. MMSc, Chief Medical Officer at HMR. “By keeping the plan simple, people can lose weight quickly while building the skills they need for long-term weight management.”

In a clinical study, 1,100 participants with a BMI of 40 or higher who completed at least 12 weeks of the HMR program lost an average of 66 lbs. after 26 weeks (using either the HMR Decision-Free® or Healthy Solutions® program). Participants using the Healthy Solutions® at Home program had a median weight loss of 23 lbs. over the first 12 weeks of the program. Clinically meaningful weight loss is typically defined as losing 5 percent or more of initial body weight. Healthy Solutions at Home participants using phone support maintained an average weight loss of 7.4 percent of initial body weight 18 months after starting the program.

It is well reported that weight loss is associated with favorable changes in medical risk factors.  Below are health risk reductions and medication changes for 721 HMR patients who participated in a clinic-based program (mean duration of participation 107.6 weeks):

Fasting Glucose (mg/dL): -9.4 percent

Total Cholesterol / HDL ratio: -10.3 percent

Diastolic / Systolic Blood Pressure: -7 mmHg / -4 mmHg

Triglycerides (mg/dL): -26.7 percent

Of 126 patients taking oral diabetes medications at baseline, 40.5 percent (n=51) had discontinued these medications at follow-up.

Of 45 patients taking insulin at baseline, 35.5 percent (n=16) had discontinued their insulin at follow -up.

Of 337 patients taking blood pressure medications at baseline, 36.2 percent (n=122) had discontinued these medications at follow-up.

During the ranking process, reporters and editors from U.S. News & World Report created in-depth profiles of 38 diets. A panel of nationally recognized experts on diet, nutrition, obesity, food psychology, diabetes and heart disease rated the diets on their effectiveness.

For more information on HMR’s inclusion in the Best Diets ranking, please visit www.health.usnews.com/best-diet. To learn more about The Healthy Weigh at Saint Francis, call 573-331-5686, or visit www.sfmc.net. 

HMR Weight Management Services (HMR) is a subsidiary of Merck specializing in weight loss and weight management. HMR programs, available in person or at home, offer lifestyle education, a structured diet and an emphasis on long-term weight and health management. Founded in 1983 by Lawrence T.P. Stifler, Ph.D. and headquartered in Boston, Mass., HMR’s medically-based programs are available to clinics, hospitals, major medical centers, and integrated delivery networks throughout the United States.  For more information, visit www.hmrprogram.com.

Saint Francis Medical Center is a 308-bed facility serving more than 713,000 people throughout Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. Guided by its mission to provide a ministry of healing and wellness inspired by its Christian philosophy and values, the Medical Center has become a progressive, innovative regional tertiary care referral center. Saint Francis’ major service lines, which have received national recognition, include the Neurosciences Institute; Orthopedic Institute; Family BirthPlace, featuring the region’s first Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Heart Hospital; Emergency and Level III Trauma Center; Cancer Institute; and Fitness Plus. 

Pictured: Donna Ozark of Perryville, Mo., has lost 118 pounds since starting the HMR program with The Healthy Weigh at Saint Francis Medical Center in December 2016. She lost it all through diet and exercise alone, no surgery! 

“I’ve been overweight my entire adult life and I have tried many programs with limited results,” says Ozark. “This is the one that works!”

Her weight loss journey is proof that the HMR program works. The U.S. News and World Report named HRM Weight Management as the #1 best fast weight-loss diet.  

FROM: Dexter Chamber of Commerce Development, Inc.

FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT:   515 West Market Street

  Dexter, MO

The Dexter Chamber of Commerce Development, Inc. is requesting “Bids for Mowing” at the above captioned property for the 2018 and 2019 season.

Ground Maintenance Specifications:

Weekly Mowing of property from April 1st to October 31st……$ ________ Weekly

(Beginning and Ending of Mowing Season may vary.)

*Weekly mowing to include:

*Mowing

*Trimming

*Edging

*Blowing off all pavement and sidewalks

*Cutting in opposite directions for a healthier growing lawn

*Weed eating areas inaccessible for mowing to include area around mail boxes on north side of Market Street across from facility

Spraying graveled areas and those not accessible for………$ ________ Per Application

mowing for weed control.

Bids should be securely sealed and properly marked “Sealed Bid for Mowing Services” on the outside to indicate the contents and should be at the Dexter Chamber of Commerce Development, Inc.’s office located at 515B West Market, Dexter, MO 63841 by noon, Wednesday, February 28, 2018.  The bids will be reviewed and a decision made by 12:00 PM by March 1 and the successful bidder will be notified.

The Dexter Chamber of Commerce Development, Inc. reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

Dexter Chamber of Commerce Development, Inc.

Hillary Starnes, Property Manager

515B West Market

Dexter, MO 63841

Phone:  573-624-7458

Email:  info@dexterchamber.com