Dexter, Missouri - Merry Christmas to Missouri Southern Healthcare.  Perhaps a much needed gift arrived early this holiday season.  It had been a long range goal to have a heliport on the property of Missouri Southern Healthcare and now it is a welcomed reality.

For the last several years the hospital has landed the helicopter in the parking lot.  This of course required the assistance of the local police department and the fire department to ensure a safe route for the traffic.  These folks have been amazing to help day or night and the hospital thanks them for their dedication and support.

Through the efforts of Missouri Southern Healthcare employees, Mrs. Kelli Chastain, Jeff Miller and Dennis Hanley they realized the need of the heliport. 

Kelli worked closely with Randy Evertt and other employees of the Air Evac to form a partnership and assist with the funding. 

Kelli also enlisted the support of Rick Shipman and his construction crew to donate their labor for the project.  Mark Stidham and the city crews helped the hospital prepare the site.  It was truly a team effort by all involved.

It is a pleasure and a gift not only for the hospital but for the community who will greatly benefit from this heliport.  It will be easier and safer to transport those that need a higher level of emergency services farther away.