Health & Image Newsmakers

Brian A. Williams, president of Springfield Neurological and Spine Institute LLC, has earned the professional designation of certified medical practice executive from the American College of Medical Practice Executives. Williams' designation, which will be recognized at the ACMPE business meeting in October in conjunction with the Medical Group Management Association's 2006 Annual Conference in Las Vegas, signifies that he has successfully completed testing on his knowledge of the broad scope of medical practice management skills in topics including financial management, risk management and business and clinical operations.

Gerry Catapang recently earned his doctorate in physical therapy from University of St. Augustine in Florida. Catapang, who established Physical Therapy Care, Manual Physical Therapy and Industrial Rehab Center, has been in private practice for six years.

Dr. Anthony D. McBride joined the orthopaedic surgery department of Ferrell-Duncan Clinic. He attended medical school and completed his residency at Louisiana State University. McBride also completed a fellowship at Texas Back Institute. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and previously practiced at Regional Orthopaedic Health Care in Mountain Home, Ark.

Dr. Darren Lehnert, an obstetrician/gynecologist with St. John's Clinic, was elected to the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The association is a nonprofit organization of physicians that encourages and promotes the study of obstetrics and gynecology and women's health care. The group includes more than 1,000 physicians from 29 states.

The Southwest Missouri Chapter of the American College of Surgeons installed officers for the 2005-2006 year at its fall meeting. Dr. Daniel Cardwell, of Springfield, was elected president, Dr. J. Charles Mace, of Springfield, was named president-elect, Dr. J. Randolph Mullins, of Springfield, was elected secretary-treasurer, Dr. Mark Walterskirchen, of Springfield, was elected junior councilor and Drs. Christopher Edwards and Stephen Meyer, both of Springfield, were elected councilors. Also, Dr. Michael S. Clarke, of Springfield, was elected governor and Dr. Walter C. Dandridge, of Joplin, was elected alternate governor.

Arlene Stewart joined the management team of Family Pharmacy. She has experience in the pharmaceutical industry, in both retail and management, with Safeway and CVS pharmacies.

Dr. Alexander Hover, medical director of quality resources for St. John's Health System, received the Distinguished Quality Professional Award from the Missouri Association of Healthcare Quality. Hover received the award in November during the Missouri Hospital Association's 83rd Annual Convention & Trade Show in Osage Beach. Hover has managed performance improvement and patient safety initiatives for St. John's Health System since 1995, and he also maintains a full-time gastroenterology practice for St. John's Hospital and serves as a medical consultant for St. John's utilization, data and risk management departments.

Rep. David Sater, R-Cassville, was appointed chair of the Missouri House Appropriations - Health, Mental Health and Social Services Committee for the remainder of the 93rd General Assembly. The committee reports to the House Budget Committee on all bills, measures and questions referred to it pertaining to the appropriations and disbursements of public money for the funding of the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Social Services.

Clay and Jean Cantwell made a year-end gift of $100,000 to the Skaggs Foundation, the charitable arm of Skaggs Community Health Center in Branson. To honor the Cantwells and their longtime support of Skaggs, the community library and reference center inside the Skaggs Cancer Center will be named the Cantwell Library. Skaggs Cancer Center is to open in the summer of 2007 on the first floor of Skaggs Outpatient Center.

Springfield first-grader Lauren Anderson was chosen as the Children's Miracle Network Missouri Champion Child for 2006. One child from each of the 50 states and from each province and territory in Canada is chosen to represent millions of children treated each year at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. As Missouri's Champion Child, Anderson and her family will visit Washington, D.C., and have the opportunity to meet President Bush and discuss children's health issues. The Andersons also will represent Missouri and CoxHealth - a CMN hospital - in Orlando, Fla., for the taping of the 2006 CMN Telethon.

Laura Roberts, of Nixa, was selected as a society stakeholder of the American Cancer Society, to serve on peer review committees and take part in the research grant approval process. Roberts, a six year breast cancer survivor, is an advocate in the fight against cancer.

Russ Traphagan, McBride Elementary School physical education teacher, qualified for the 110th Boston Marathon after a recent strong finish in the Dallas White Rock Marathon. Traphagan started running more than a year and a half ago to lose weight and has participated in several marathon events. The Boston Marathon is April 17.

[[In-content Ad]]