Newsmakers

Health care

CoxHealth's respiratory care department was named a Quality Respiratory Care Provider by the American Association for Respiratory Care. The department was recognized under a new program aimed at making sure patients have access to respiratory care services provided by quality therapists. To qualify for recognition, the department met many strict guidelines, including having all bedside therapists credentialed or legally recognized by the state and providing specific procedure documentation.

Home inspections

Ed and Elaine Barton, owners of The BrickKicker of the Ozarks, were recognized as Top Producers for 2003 among all BrickKicker operations across the United States. The award is presented for the number of inspections based on population. The BrickKicker of the Ozarks has inspectors in Springfield, Branson and Joplin. The company uses the American Society of Home Inspectors' method of home inspection.

Law

Shari L. Lockhart was promoted to senior associate in Evans & Dixon LLC's workers' compensation practice. Her duties include representing major insurance carriers and self-insured employers from a variety of industries in workers' compensation and employers' liability cases. Her past experience includes neck and back injury cases as well as cumulative trauma and fatalities. She has been with Evans & Dixon's Springfield office since it opened in 2001.

Pest control

Ivan J. Eftink, Terri J. Eftink and Michael L. Woodring of Bug Zero Pest Control attended the 2003 Missouri Pest Management Association conference in Kansas City.

Salon

Details Salon, owned and operated by Jan and Mike Pearl, was named Beauty Entrepreneur of the year for Missouri, making Details Salon eligible for consideration for the 2004 Global Salon Business Award. Businesses will be judged on entrepreneurial spirit, team philosophy, client philosophy, marketing information and financial information from the previous year. The contest will be judged at UCLA by a team of business professionals and top hair dressers.

Transportation

T.J. Davis was named City Utilities' Bus Driver of the Year for 2003. Davis was selected by his fellow drivers and supervisors based on job performance, courtesy, neatness, attendance, accident-free driving and attitude. Davis has been a bus operator for City Utilities since 1995.

Jeff Ward joined O & S Trucking Inc.'s maintenance department as shop foreman. He has 12 years of transportation experience. Ward's responsibilities include handling road breakdowns, shop scheduling and repairs.

Veterinary medicine

Phillip R. Brown, DVM, attended the 76th Western States Veterinary Conference where he completed 54 hours of continuing education. He also chaired the Friends of Veterinary Medicine committee and spent time with the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation.