Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder presented a dire health situation for Springfield hotelier and businessman John Q. Hammons.
Hammons, who is 91, suffers from multiple cardiovascular, lung and pulmonary disorders, and two physicians charged with his care concurred on a no visitors order at the center where Hammons is receiving care, according to Kinder’s inquiry.
The physicians, Dr. Steven Atwood of CoxHealth in Springfield, and Dr. Brian Griffin, a cardiologist with the Cleveland Clinic, recommended Hammons have no visitors.
“The doctor in Cleveland told me he was gravely concerned that Mr. Hammons might not survive while he was there. It was that serious,” Kinder said.
Kinder, the state’s official senior advocate, held a news conference Nov. 1 in front of Hammons Field to discuss findings of an inquiry announced Oct. 29 urging citizens to contact his office with information regarding Hammons.
Following the inquiry, the Missouri Division of Aging began its own probe.
Jacquie Dowdy, CEO of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts and Hammons’ legal guardian, told Kinder that an investigator visited Hammons. She also arranged interviews for Kinder with the two physicians.
“The Division of Aging may have sent an investigator out to the care center where Mr. Hammons has resided for the last couple of weeks,” Kinder said. “I have not spoken to that person.”
Among media reports that have surfaced in recent days, KOLR-10 footage would indicate Hammons is staying at the senior care facility Manor at Elfindale, but the report did not identify the center.
The inquiry didn’t reveal the name of the center, and Justin Harris, JQH Hotels & Resorts legal counsel, refused to divulge Hammons’ location.
“We have a legal guardian,” Kinder said, pointing to Dowdy. “How is she a legal guardian? She got a power of attorney signed by Mr. Hammons. She is executing the recommendations of two medical doctors for treating him, who both spent the better part of half an hour talking about the case.”
Kinder said his office’s inquiry is not closed, but it is beginning to wind down.
A company statement sent to Springfield Business Journal stated Hammons is unable to participate in company management and confirmed Dowdy’s appointment as CEO. She formerly was vice president of finance.
Her appointment, the statement said, was a part of the company’s longstanding succession plan.
The company, via Hammons’ wishes, will not comment on details of his condition.[[In-content Ad]]
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