Newsmakers

Keith Turner and Ryan Jennings joined OnMedia, the advertising division of Mediacom cable company. They sell local commercials on 40 cable networks in five southwest Missouri markets. They are both Missouri State University graduates.

Community

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks added Jacob Sappington, Greg Box and Kevin Mackey to its board of directors. Sappington, a former little brother and current big brother, is an attorney with Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin. Box is vice president of the commercial group at U.S. Bank. Mackey is director of operations for Springfield Brewing Co. and CEO of Mackey Restaurant Consulting.

Sharina Smith, senior director of marketing and communications for Southwest Baptist University, joined the board of directors at the Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce. Smith has been with SBU since 2006 and has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and public relations.

Jami Peebles, vice president of wealth management for U.S. Bank Private Client Group in Springfield, was appointed to the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter Board of Directors. Peebles has served as a caseworker for the organization, responding to tornadoes, Hurricane Katrina and the recent ice storm.

Several local business and community leaders were chosen as part of the 35-member group for Leadership Missouri 2007. Local representatives are: Matt Barnhart, Missouri American Water; Michael Finch, City Utilities; Ray Forrester, The Forrester Group Inc.; Paul Kincaid, Missouri State University; Rob Sager, Empire District Electric Co.; Frank Schoneboom, Branson assistant city manager; Lisa Slavens, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks; and Ross Summers, Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. The seven-month leadership enhancement program, sponsored by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is designed to enhance leadership skills of current and emerging leaders.

Education

Drury University received a $5,000 grant from Johnson Controls Foundation to help support the salary of a student recycling coordinator. The position, held by Drury environmental studies major Sarah Davis, will coordinate a comprehensive, campuswide recycling program in line with the school’s sustainability strategy.

Forest Institute of Professional Psychology received the Innovations in Psychology Training and Education Award from the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology. The award was given for the development of the Integrated Healthcare Program in partnership with the Jordan Valley Community Health Clinic. The program trains graduate psychology students to work in an underserved primary health care setting.

Health Care

Oxford HealthCare selected McKesson’s Horizon Homecare advanced clinical solution to replace the organization’s existing homecare documentation system. Oxford will use the system to improve the work flow and care process of its more than 1,325 employees.

Drs. Paul and Priscilla Arnold of Arnold Vision/Arnold Surgery Center were named to the list of America’s Top Ophthalmologists by the Washington, D.C.-based Consumers’ Research Council of America. Each doctor was recognized in the cataract surgery category. Priscilla Arnold has been previously recognized in the same category. [[In-content Ad]]