SoutheastHealth officially begins partnership

The former Missouri Southern Healthcare facility in Dexter recently began a new phase in its existence with a name owner and a new name.

Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County will be the facility's new name.

SoutheastHEALTH, based in Cape Girardeau, Mo., has closed on its acquisition of the leasehold interest in Missouri Southern Healthcare.

Southeast officially began the new partnership and management agreement with Dexter Hospital, LLC on Jan. 1. Dexter Hospital, LLC will manage the 50-bed acute care hospital for SoutheastHEALTH during a transition period ending June 30, 2013.

SoutheastHEALTH representatives were in Dexter on Thursday, Jan. 3, to host meetings with hospital employees and celebrate the partnership.

The meetings, said SoutheastHEALTH Executive Vice President of Planning and Business Development Jim Limbaugh, "have given us the opportunity to

welcome the newest members of our SoutheastHEALTH team. We're thrilled that we could begin our partnership much sooner than originally planned."

Southeast and the Dexter Community Regional Healthcare Foundation signed a lease agreement last summer that paved the way for the partnership.

Regional Healthcare Foundation Vice President Aaron Mathis of Dexter said on behalf of the Foundation he

welcomes SoutheastHEALTH to Stoddard County.

"SoutheastHEALTH has had a good relationship with many of our residents for quite some time," he said. "The investment they have already made and will continue to make will ensure that the residents of Stoddard County have first-class healthcare in our rural community for many years to come."

Hugh King, SoutheastHEALTH Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, noted that Missouri Southern will be key to SoutheastHEALTH's continued regional growth. "We feel very fortunate to have such a capable, experienced team in place here who share our commitment to providing excellent care at an affordable cost, close to home."

The hospital will soon have signage displaying its new name, Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County, Limbaugh added. He said over the coming months "we will be looking at upgrading technology, making significant improvements in the Emergency Department and introducing new technologies such as telemedicine."

Limbaugh said SoutheastHEALTH appreciates the keen interest the community has in the hospital and its clinics and looks forward to taking an active role in the community.

SoutheastHEALTH has a long-standing and valued relationship with the Dexter community. Southeast has maintained a satellite Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic at Missouri Southern since 1998. Specialists from Cardiovascular Consultants, who are affiliated with the Southeast Medical Group, also offer a weekly cardiovascular clinic in Dexter.

In 2010, SoutheastHEALTH assumed management responsibilities for Ripley County Memorial Hospital in Doniphan, Mo. On Jan. 1, 2013, Southeast also officially began its partnership and management agreement with Advanced Healthcare Management Services, LLC, based in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

SoutheastHEALTH President and CEO Wayne Smith said the addition of the newest partnerships with Advanced and Missouri Southern Healthcare brings the total number of team members in the SoutheastHEALTH system to approximately 2,900.

"This clearly defines SoutheastHEALTH as the largest regional provider of healthcare and the largest employer of healthcare professionals in our region," Smith said. "We continue in our exploration of additional partnerships."