SoutheastHEALTH today announced that it signed a definitive agreement with St. Louis-based Mercy to become a member of Mercy’s multi-hospital system. The two organizations have been finalizing details with respect to an affiliation since they announced in January they signed a letter of intent. By affiliating with Mercy, SoutheastHEALTH would become part of one of the largest health care systems in the U.S.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and other required third-party approvals. Following such approvals, both organizations will be prepared to engage in a transition planning process that includes Mercy hosting community roundtable listening tours which are a tradition when it welcomes a new hospital into its health system. These events typically include business and civic leaders, physicians, elected officials and other community representatives, who are invited to meet with hospital leaders to help determine next steps in the community master planning process.
“Mercy joining Cape Girardeau and the greater Southeast Missouri region is a very real example of one of the ways we live the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy,” said Steve Mackin, Mercy president and CEO. “The Sisters would answer the call of a community, and we are honored to have SoutheastHEALTH invite us to join them in serving Southeast Missouri and bring our resources to the people of this region. Together, we will positively impact the community.”
“This is an exciting day for the community, for patients and for co-workers,” said Ken Bateman, SoutheastHEALTH president and CEO. “Bringing the two health systems together will create a regional hub for offering expanded access to health care services in Southeast Missouri and the greater region Mercy serves.”
Bateman cited the strengths that Mercy, with $8 billion in operating revenue, brings to Southeast, including increased patient access, highest quality of care as recognized by Leapfrog and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a sophisticated operating model, lower cost of capital and significant clinical benefits.
“Most importantly, Mercy and Southeast have a shared commitment to providing quality, family-centered care. We are excited about our future together and how it will redefine health care in our region,” Bateman said.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to SoutheastHEALTH on this transaction. Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. is serving as its legal counsel. Thompson Coburn LLP is serving as legal counsel to Mercy.
Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County is adding team members to its inpatient registered nursing staff.
Registered nurses with valid Missouri licenses can earn $35 an hour for full or part-time employment on the hospital’s Medical Telemetry, Behavioral Health or Emergency units.
The offer does not apply to Per Diem staff.
Sue Ann Williams, Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County CEO, said this offer is being made to help alleviate staffing shortages, which are a concern to hospitals nationwide. “We welcome new team members,” she added. “At Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County, we place the highest priority on excellent patient care. Nurses who join our team will find a professional, supportive environment that, like our wonderful community, is family-centered.”
Registered nurses interested in learning more may contact SoutheastHEALTH Human Resources Recruiter Yvonne Pope at ypope@sehealth.org or 573-331-6665.
To see all job opportunities with Southeast, visit sehealth.org/careers
SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County Public Notice
Southeast Hospital is the first hospital in Missouri to be certified as a Pediatric Emergency Prepared Facility. The certification is through Missouri Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC), a federally funded grant program that aims to decrease child morbidity and mortality in emergency settings.
Nationally, about 80 percent of pediatric patients are seen in community and general adult emergency departments, and about 50 percent of children are seen in emergency departments with a low pediatric volume (fewer than five pediatric patients a day).
Southeast Hospital initially took interest in the certification after Lori Merritt, director of emergency services, joined the Missouri EMSC advisory committee in 2021. For the last six months, Merritt and her ER teams have improved and prioritized pediatric care through training, education, quality improvement and age-appropriate equipment. Merritt notes that pediatric cases make up about 14 percent of patient volume.
She says that the ability to prioritize pediatric patients just as hospitals prioritize adult stroke and STEMI heart attacks (a type of heart attack that is known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attack) can “greatly improve outcomes and health equity of children in Missouri. Visiting the emergency department can be stressful for children. We are committed to providing excellent care to young patients while also easing their fears and making their ER visit as pleasant as possible. This certification validates that long-standing commitment.”
Danielle Lee, Missouri EMSC program manager, said, “We were honored to work with SoutheastHEALTH and their team on our first Pediatric Emergency Prepared Facility. The time and effort that SoutheastHEALTH has put into developing this program not only affects outcomes of children within the community, but also benefits children all over Missouri.”
She added, “SoutheastHEALTH has set the standard for hospitals of its size on how to appropriately prepare for the care of a child during an emergency. I look forward to the mentorship that SoutheastHEALTH can offer to other hospitals committed to do the same for children within their communities.”
Along with Missouri, 22 other states in the nation have pediatric recognition programs in place.
About SoutheastHEALTH
At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in southeast Missouri, patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within the SoutheastHEALTH network are 48 care locations in 11 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing 52 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area. Learn more at SEhealth.org.
Southeast Hospital is the first hospital in Missouri to be certified as a Pediatric Emergency Prepared Facility through Missouri Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC). Shown at a recognition ceremony here are, from the left, Maria Sudak, SoutheastHEALTH chief operating officer; Scott Bond, SoutheastHEALTH Information Systems, Terry Cuellar, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital pediatric outreach coordinator; Danielle Lee, Missouri EMSC program manager; Lori Merritt, director of SoutheastHEALTH Emergency Services; and Sarah Foote, SoutheastHEALTH Emergency Services charge nurse.
Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County FREE Tobacco Cessation Classes
