Cape Girardeau, Missouri -  The Southeast Cancer Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in Radiation Oncology as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The Southeast Cancer Center is one of eight ACR accredited radiation oncology facilities in Missouri and is the only accredited program in southeast Missouri to earn this prestigious recognition.

Achieving ACR accreditation is a testament to our dedication to providing radiation therapy guided by strict standards for safety, quality and accuracy,” said Southeast Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Judy Aslin, MSN, RN, NEA-BC. “This accreditation is a voluntary process so in essence, we invite experts to review our department in order to validate the level of care we provide. I am extremely proud of the Radiation Oncology department as well as the entire group of employees who not only deliver care that is of the highest quality and safety, done so with a level of caring and compassion that is unmatched.”

Radiation Oncology Medical Director Joseph Miller, MD, added, “Our patients can rest assured knowing that their treatment will be done at a facility that has met the highest level of quality and radiation safety.”

Sam Hancock, PhD, Chief Physicist and Radiation Safety officer, commented, “It’s gratifying to have independent experts attest that our Radiation Therapy program conforms to the highest standards for quality of care. Patients can attest to the positive experiences that we provide, but ACR accreditation is their only indicator of our high technical quality.”

Cancer Center Director Jennifer Ewert, MS, BSRT, CMD,RT (R,T), said, “The ACR radiation oncologist and medical physicist were highly complementary during our onsite survey and commented that we are one of the top five programs they have ever surveyed. I am so proud to work for an organization that values quality care for our cancer patients.”

The ACR is the nation’s oldest and most widely accepted Radiation Oncology accrediting body. Accreditation includes a peer-review evaluation that assesses patient care and treatment, patient safety, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs.
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.


PHOTO: The Southeast Cancer Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in Radiation Oncology, one of eight facilities in Missouri to earn accreditation. Shown here is the Southeast Cancer Center Radiation Oncology team: back row (left to right), Christina Sanford, Mark Mayhew, Sam Hancock, Jennifer Canning; middle row (left to right), Jennifer Ewert, Pat Robert, Dr. Joseph Miller, Carol Lorenz, Jordan Abell, Gay Wilson; front row (left to right), Jeannie Landewee, Linda Valentine, Mitzi Richter, Lavonna Wollard-Biddle, Nicole Pulcher.

SoutheastHEALTH, the leading healthcare provider for cost and quality in the region, has announced the appointment of Steven J. Haas as Chief Financial Officer, effective May 23.

Haas, a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, has an extensive record of accomplishments in healthcare financial services including operations and project management. He specializes in capital financing, financial planning and reporting, revenue cycle management, strategic Information Technology planning and implementation of integrated systems and development of new business partners.

“Steven’s financial leadership will be of great benefit to SoutheastHEALTH,” said President and CEO Ken Bateman. “He has a financial track record of success and a keen understanding of technology-focused strategies. He will be a valuable member of our leadership team as we continue to thrive as a viable, strong healthcare system.”

Prior to joining SoutheastHEALTH, Haas served as Vice President of Finance and later as Chief Financial Officer at HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley, a regional healthcare system based in Kingston, NY. At HealthAlliance, he provided executive leadership for several key strategic initiatives including conversion to a new Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.

“I’m excited to be a part of SoutheastHEALTH during such a positive time for the organization,” Haas said. “When Ken shared the details of SoutheastHEALTH’s financial milestones made this past year, I was extremely impressed and eager to be part of such a dynamic team.” He added that “Cape is a really beautiful place. My wife and I are looking forward to exploring the region.”

Haas and his wife Cynthia are the parents of two children – Danielle, a CT technologist in St. Augustine, Fl., who is married to Tyler Riley, and Kyle, a New York City police officer and member of the New York National Guard.

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.

Dexter, Missouri - the tree-man team of Steve Hyten, Billy Griffin, and Charles Corlies took the $1,000 first place prize in the 2016 Regional Healthcare Fitness Challenge.  Steve Hyten were also awarded an additional $250 for having lost the greatest amount of weight.  He lost a total of 54.8 pounds during the challenge.  "Starvers" as they called themselves had a 17.68 percentage weight loss.

Placing second for $500 was the "G3" team consisting of Nicole Guethle, Sharon Guethle, and Shawn Guethle who lost 15.33 percentage weight loss.

Placing third was the team "AHA Moment" with a 13.99 percentage of weight loss.  The team included Alexa Ash, Amy Ash, and Hunter Frampton.

The winners were announced on Monday, May 16th with three teams taking home $2,100 in prize money.

The Regional Healthcare Foundation's Fitness Challenge is held annually from January through April as an incentive to get healthy and lose weight.  LeVeda Scates is the patient advocate coordinator and heads the challenge annually.

This program is designed to help citizens of the community to improve health through weight loss.  The successful program is based on providing information about health and nutrition for teams of three January thru April each year.   Participants report that the team support and weekly weigh-in program for accountability makes losing weight easier and enjoyable. 

With the growing concern about the rise of diabetes in our community, people are searching for ways to fight diabetes.  The Fitness Challenge offers one step in that fight.  In addition to attention to diabetes, participants find that weight loss also combats high blood pressure and heart disease. 

The Fitness Challenge Program reflects the Regional Healthcare Foundations’ mission statement:  a vision of healthy people living in a healthy community.

Anyone interested in participating in the 2017 “TRI” Team Fitness Challenge should organize their team of three and be ready to begin the challenge in January 2017.

Cash Drawing Winners - $25 each - Travis Adams, Shannon Collier, Jeanie Huey, and Courtney Moore.

Community Supporters for the 2016 “TRI” Team  Fitness Challenge : SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County, Wal-Mart, Key Rexall, VNA, University of Missouri Extension, and Walgreens.

Dexter, Missouri - The Rotary Club will host a Blood Drive on Tuesday, May 24th 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.

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.