Significant progress continues to be made at Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County in the aftermath of an EF2 tornado that moved through the Dexter area July 10.
Extensive testing has been completed to assess the impact of the damage to the inpatient units, the Emergency Services Department and Behavioral Health Unit. Damage was moderate, but further testing was done to ensure the ultimate in patient safety.
The hospital is expected to reopen in early August. It is our goal for the Emergency Services and inpatient units to open at the same time to ensure continuity of care.
While we continue to be on facility diversion, we are fortunate to have the Clinic at Walmart and family practice clinics in Dexter, Bloomfield, Malden, Poplar Bluff, Bernie, New Madrid and Sikeston as resources for residents.
SoutheastHEALTH is proud to be a part of the Dexter community and incredibly grateful for their support. Staff and vendor partners also stepped up to assist with the many steps that needed to be taken to restore all hospital services.
Media Advisory: Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County
SoutheastHEALTH is continuing its damage assessment and repair plans following an EF2 tornado that moved through the Dexter area Saturday night, causing damage to Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County. The following information outlines our progress:
Structural engineers have evaluated the building with a good overall report. Major progress has been made to repair roof leaks. Once compete, clean up will begin in inpatient/outpatient units.
It is SoutheastHEALTH’s goal to restore Emergency Services operations as soon as possible. With current resources on site, it is likely that this goal will be achieved within 24 hours.
Power to the hospital and adjacent medical office building was restored Tuesday morning, and emergency generators have been shut down.
Front entrance damage is being repaired. We expect the automatic doors to be fully functional later this week.
Final calibrations are being made to restore Lab and Radiology services.
Following Emergency Services restoration, we hope to reopen the Behavioral Health Unit and Inpatient/Same Day Infusion Services in quick order.
We continue to be on full facility diversion until further notice. In the meantime, the closest ER departments are in Poplar Bluff and Sikeston, both about 20 miles from Dexter. The Stoddard County EMS Service was not impacted by the tornado.
A Command Center has been set up at the Dexter hospital and will remain an active resource until all hospital and clinic services are back to full function. We are incredibly grateful for community and staff who have been working diligently to get this key community resource back to peak functionality.
Southeast Health of Stoddard County has evacuated all inpatient units as well as the Emergency Department due to a tornado that passed through the Dexter area around 8:20 p.m. this evening. All patients and staff are safe with no report of injuries.
The system’s facilities and leadership teams are currently onsite assessing the facility for storm damages.
The hospital will remain closed until the structural assessment is complete. For updates and timeline for when Southeast will safely resume operations please check here for updates and or our online newsroom at SeHealth.org.
SoutheastHEALTH Health Briefs for July 2021
Starting Point Informational Meeting
Time to make a change for the better in your life? Starting Point, a medically-managed weight loss program, can give you the tools to make it happen. Learn more at an informational meeting at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 8, or at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 13. For more information, contact HealthPoint Nutrition Services at 573-986-4440.
Weight Management First Steps
Join us for this free, informative seminar as we discuss strategies for beginning the process of health improvement and weight management on Monday, July 12, at 6 p.m., and Thursday, July 29, at 2 p.m., at HealthPoint Plaza, 2126 Independence in Cape. Are you just beginning your fitness journey? Or perhaps picking back up where you left off? Learn how nutrition, physical activity and behavior modification can help you get going in the right direction. Class size is limited. Register online at SEhealth.org/Events or by calling (573)986-4440.
Heart Saver CPR Certification Class
This is an instructor-led course that teaches adult and child CPR and AED use, infant CPR, and how to relieve choking in adults, children and infants. It will be held on Monday, July 12, from 9 to 11a.m. at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape. This course teaches skills with the American Heart Association’s research-proven practice-while-watching technique, which allows instructors to observe the students, provide feedback, and guide the students’ learning skills. The course is for anyone with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card for CPR and AED use to meet job, regulatory or other requirements. This class is not for healthcare providers seeking a BLS class. Cost of the class is $50 and includes a booklet. Participants can reserve a spot by calling or stopping by the front desk of HealthPoint Cape or HealthPoint Jackson. For more information, call 573-755-2301 or 573-986-4400.
Diabetes Self-Management Support Group
Southeast Diabetes Center hosts this free support group facilitated by Southeast’s Diabetes Educators. The programs are geared toward people who are living with diabetes and trying to control blood glucose. Friends and family members are also welcome. The meeting will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 13, at HealthPoint Plaza in Cape. This month’s topic is “Palliative Care,” which is specialized medical care for people living with a chronic illness. The goal of the program is to improve quality of life for both patient and family. Regina Frazier, APRN, will discuss the palliative care program at SoutheastHEALTH. To register, call the Southeast Diabetes Center at 339-0121 to take advantage of this program.
Grief Support Group: Your Grief Journey
The SoutheastHEALTH Grief Support Group will meet from 1:30-3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 21, at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape. Topic for this month’s meeting, led by Julie Metgzer, LCSW, a bereavement counselor with Southeast Hospice, is “Your Grief Journey.” For more information about this support group, please call Southeast Hospice, 573-335-6208.
Healthy Cooking: Easy Entertaining Boards
Join us on Monday, July 19, to learn more about creating easy, elegant and healthy charcuterie boards. Whether you’re hosting a few friends for game night or a special occasion, these boards are a fun way to share good eats. Healthy Cooking classes at HealthPoint Fitness – Cape are taught by HealthPoint Nutritional Services Coordinator Laura Vollink, RD, LD. Cost is $5 for HealthPoint members and non-members. Class sizes are limited. To register, call 573-986-4440.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
There is an urgent need for blood nationwide. You can do Do your part in our community. SoutheastHEALTH Volunteer Services will host a blood drive on Friday, July 9, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Southeast Hospital Harrison Room. Registration is required to allow for social distancing. To make an appointment, visit rcblood.org/appt.
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.
SoutheastHEALTH President and CEO Ken Bateman has announced the promotion of Darah Jirkovsky from SoutheastHEALTH Foundation Development Manager to Executive Director.
Jirkovsky brings extensive experience in development efforts at major non-profit organizations, including the American Lung Association and the March of Dimes. She joined the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation in 2016 as Development Manager. In this role, Jirkovsky oversaw fundraising campaigns and events efforts for the Foundation, including those for hospice and patient care, along with the annual Journey Gala benefitting cancer patients, the Foundation’s largest and most successful fundraiser. She also worked closely with donors and potential donors and contributed to grant writing projects.
Bateman said Jirkovsky’s “ongoing success in cultivating donors and building relationships has enabled the Foundation to support initiatives that positively impact many aspects of healthcare, including capital and special projects that enhance patient care and services. I look forward to working with her and continuing to build organizational growth for the Foundation.”
“I am thrilled and honored to assume this new and exciting role,” Jirkovsky said. “I am so proud of the work we have done at the Foundation and look forward to our future growth that will allow us to better serve our patients and community.”
Jirkovsky holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrated Strategic Communications – Public Relations, from the University of Kentucky. She is active in the community as a member of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Council on Philanthropy and Southeast Cancer Control Coalition.
About SoutheastHEALTH Foundation
SoutheastHEALTH Foundation, Inc. was organized in 1977 as an independent 501 (c)3 nonprofit entity to ensure the future of healthcare in our region. The Foundation’s Board of Directors is made up of individuals and volunteers from all segments of our service area. The Board oversees fund-raising projects and manages the allocation of funds in an effort to enhance service to our community.
