McCune-Brooks partners with St. John's-Joplin

In an effort to help ease the burden on St. John's Regional Medical Center in the wake of the May 22 tornado, Carthage-based McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital has partnered with St. John's in an assistance agreement that has opened a new surgery suite at its Carthage facility.

McCune-Brooks has been assisting St. John's since the immediate aftermath, according to a St. John's news release. The hospital, an affiliate of St. John's Mercy Hospital, worked to provide services to St. John's patients and made room for several of the hospital's physicians, the release said. When staff needs increased to help maintain services at McCune-Brooks, preferential treatment was given to St. John's employees through St. John's Talent Sharing program.

McCune-Brooks officials said about 80 of St. John's employees will be working full-time in its Carthage facility.

"After orientation in our system and introduction to our mission, vision and values, St. John's partner employees will help us ensure continued patient safety and comfort, allowing us to continue to provide patient-centered care," McCune-Brooks CEO Bob Copeland said in a news release.

The agreement between the two hospitals provided for the expansion of beds at McCune-Brooks as well as furnished staff and equipment for a third surgery suite at the Carthage hospital. Funding will come from an unrestricted donation by St. John's to McCune-Brooks, the release said.

"We did a tour of McCune-Brooks and were absolutely impressed with the design of the facility and the fact that it is built around the patient experience," said Gary Pulsipher, St. John's Mercy Hospital president and CEO, in the release. "This is a wonderful arrangement for co-workers and patients alike. Patients can get care close to home, and we are able to give St. John's Mercy co-workers and physicians a place to serve."[[In-content Ad]]