
Dexter, MO - The Golden Angel Tree is now up at SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County. Each year, SoutheastHEALTH 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 the residents that no longer have family around for Christmas.
The employees/community then have the opportunity to adopt these angels from the tree. This year 98 angels were submitted.
If you would like to adopt an angel this year, please contact Amy Ellinghouse at SoutheastHEALTH.

Southeast Hospital Nationally Recognized with an ‘A’ for Fall 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade
Southeast Hospital has once again been awarded an ‘A’ in the fall 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing the organization’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare.
The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to all general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
“Patient safety is always top of mind throughout our organization,” said SoutheastHEALTH President and CEO Ken Bateman. “Patients who entrust their care to us know that they will be in a safe environment throughout their hospital stay. Our strong record of patient safety, along with our exceptional team of caregivers, also helped prepare us for the COVID-19 and the most challenging time in the history of SoutheastHEALTH.”
“An ‘A’ safety grade is an elite designation that the community should be proud of,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of the Leapfrog Group. “I thank the leadership and staff of Southeast Hospital for their commitment to prioritizing patients and their safety, especially during these trying times.”
Developed under the guidance of an expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute care hospitals twice a year. The National Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and results are free to the public.
To see Southeast’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow the Leapfrog Groupon Twitter and Facebook.
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 13 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.
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.

Southeast Home Health Receives 2021 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award
Press Ganey has named Southeast Home Health a 2021 Guardian of Excellence Award winner. The Guardian of Excellence Award recognizes top performing healthcare organizations that have achieved the 95th percentile or above for performance in Patient Experience.
The Guardian of Excellence Award, presented annually, applauds hospitals and health systems that consistently sustained performance in the top 5 percent of all Press Ganey clients.
“Press Ganey is pleased to recognize Southeast Home Health as one of the nation’s leaders in patient experience,” said Patrick Ryan, chairman and chief executive officer, Press Ganey. “The award reflects an unwavering commitment to the patient experience, especially through the unimaginable challenges of COVID-19. We are humbled by Southeast Home Health’s incredible efforts, and their ability to adapt to imperatives of COVID-19.”
Southeast Home Care Administrator Vickie Schnurbusch, MSN, RN, CHPN, said Home Health defines its mission with “an unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality of care for both patients and their families. Our Home Health team lives in the community and sees their calling as taking care of friends and neighbors. We are honored that patients and families put their trust in Southeast Home Health.”
Schnurbush added that during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last winter, staff went above and beyond to continue services without interruption, “despite the fear and uncertainty of the pandemic and an historic snow and ice storm. Their heroic efforts helped to ensure the continuity and quality of home care services.”
Larry Koenig and his wife Tammy, Jackson residents, speak highly of Home Health and the care they both received, Koenig as a total hip replacement patient and Tammy as a complex ankle surgery patient. “They did a wonderful job. It was comforting to know Southeast Home Health was there for us to provide the help and assistance we needed, and to answer our many questions. Our experience was better than good – it was excellent.”
Southeast Home Health is accredited through The Joint Commission and serves all of portions of seven southeast Missouri counties. Southeast Home Health served over 700 patients in 2020, ranging in age from under the age of one to 100.
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 13 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 Family Medicine of Dexter is now offering Convenient Care hours. The hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and same day appointments and walk-ins are welcome.

SoutheastHEALTH November 2021 Health Briefs
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
SoutheastHEALTH offers Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics every Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon. Vaccinations are by appointment only. To make your appointment, call 573-519-4522. Since late 2020, SoutheastHEALTH has administered over 34,000 COVID vaccinations. For booster shot information, visit sehealth.org/Covid-19 Resource Center.
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, November 1, at 6 p.m., and Thursday, November 18, 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 Nov. 8, from 6 to 8 p.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, November 9, at HealthPoint Plaza in Cape. This month’s topic is “Walk, Walk, Walk.” Staying active is good for the mind and body. As part of this month’s program, participants will take part in a group walking activity, so be sure to wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. Seating is limited, and pre-registration is required. To register, call the Southeast Diabetes Center at 339-0121 to take advantage of this program.
Community Memorial Service
Southeast Hospice will host its annual Community Memorial Service from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, November 14, at Cape First, 254 South Silver Springs Road in Cape. The service remembers loved ones through music, prayer and eulogies. For more information, contact Hospice Bereavement Coordinator Juie amegzger, LCSW, at 573-335-6208.
Grief Support Group: Not by Sadness Alone
The SoutheastHEALTH Grief Support Group will meet from 1:30-3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape. Topic for this month’s meeting, led by Julie Metgzer, LCSW, a bereavement counselor with Southeast Hospice, is “Coping with Holidays and Special Dates.” For more information about this support group, please call Southeast Hospice, 573-335-6208.
Healthy Cooking: ‘Holiday Baking with Flour Alternatives’
Join us on Monday, November 22, to learn how to create some baked items that don’t use traditional wheat flours. There are many alternatives that produce healthy, mouth-watering holiday treats. 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.
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.