Newsmakers

Health care

Dr. Lance D. Atkinson joined the staff of Skaggs Occupational Health and Urgent Care Plus in Branson. With a specialization in occupational health, Atkinson holds a medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, where he also completed a rotating internship. Atkinson previously practiced occupational medicine for 24 years at a private medical office in Springfield.

Steven Quinn, DDS, was a guest speaker at the third annual Tunica Extravaganza Dental Meeting in Mississippi. Quinn spoke about advanced surgical techniques related to dental implants. Quinn practices in Springfield and Branson with the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Group Ltd., and he has 15 years of experience with dental implant treatment.

Primrose Place Healthcare Center has been recognized as a Quality Partner by MissouriPro, a statewide health care quality improvement organization. The distinction is given to organizations that participate in the nursing home quality initiative. Primrose was named partner based on its commitment to improving the quality of care provided to Missouri's Medicare beneficiaries.

Steve Brown joined CoxHealth as risk manager. Brown is responsible for overseeing CoxHealth's self-insured program, which includes professional liability, auto and general liability plans. Brown has 18 years of experience in the professional liability and property/casualty claims field, and he previously worked as claims director at Medical Assurance Inc.

Insurance

PJC Insurance was named to the Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company President's Club as a top agency. PJC Insurance ranks among the company's top 50 agencies for outstanding production and profitability over a five-year period.

Law

Lois M. Zerrer and Rebecca L. Pruitt of Zerrer and Pruitt LLC attended the annual National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Symposium on Elder Law in Hilton Head, S.C. The symposium, titled "Planning For and Serving Persons with Disabilities," included a session with disability rights movement attorney Harriet McBryde Johnson.

Manufacturing

SMC Packaging Group announced the promotion of Gary N. Turner to vice president of manufacturing and the promotion of Benjamin Jones to vice president of information systems. Turner is responsible for converting, engineering and logistic operations and has been with the company for 31 years. He continues to serve as production manager of Southern Missouri Containers Inc. Jones is responsible for all information systems and computer operations for all affiliated companies. He has been with the company for 19 years.

The shop, field and warehouse staff at Central States Industrial Equipment and Service Inc. completed four years of work without a lost-time incident. The time period represents hours worked since May 5, 2000, when the safety goal was set. CSI provides design, custom fabrication and distribution of stainless steel products for the sanitary processing industries, including food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology.

Rick A. Walters was named executive vice president and chief financial officer of O'Sullivan Industries Holdings Inc. Walters oversees the finance, treasury, credit, investor relations and information technology functions at O'Sullivan Furniture. Walters previously served as group vice president and CFO of Sharpie/Calphalon Group at Newell Rubbermaid since 2001.

Media

John Brown, news anchor for Springfield 33 News on Springfield's ABC affiliate, was given the Young Alumni Award for 2004 from Central Methodist College. Brown joined Springfield 33 in 1999 and has worked there as a morning show anchor and managing editor of the news department. Brown also worked in talk radio, acting and modeling before coming to Springfield.

Restaurant

Four area employees of A&M Pizza Inc. dba Domino's Pizza were honored at the national awards event held in May in Ann Arbor, Mich. Brian Ranft was named National Supervisor of the Year 2003. The award considers 5,500 stores and is based on sales increase, training and inspection scores by the corporation. Ed Christiansen, manager of the Domino's location in Branson for 2 1/2 years, was named National Manager of the Year 2003. The award is based on sales increase, inspections and numerous record sales weeks. Franchise owners Art Hurteau and Marty Prather received The Gold Franny award for sales increase, inspection scores, community involvement and leadership within the community. Hurteau and Prather have owned the southwest Missouri franchise since 1981 and have 11 stores.

Work force

Skipper Maybee, who works at Fordland R-3 Schools with the Parents as Teachers program, was honored as one of 11 finalists for Missouri's 14th Annual Outstanding Older Worker Contest in Jefferson City. The contest recognizes the contribution older workers bring to the work force who also encourage employers to hire older workers. Maybee wrote numerous grants for the school district and initiated the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which provides children monthly with developmentally appropriate books from birth to age 3. Maybee has received the Distinguished Service Award for her years as a PAT educator. Frances Lyle of Clinton was named the 2004 Missouri Outstanding Older Worker and will represent the state at the Experience Works National Prime Time Awards program in October.