Newsmakers in Health Care

Dr. C. Norman Shealy, president of Holos University Graduate Seminary in Fair Grove, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Neuromodulation Society at its annual meeting Dec. 10 in Acapulco, Mexico. Shealy was honored for his introduction 40 years ago of dorsal column stimulation, which has led to widespread use of implanted electronic devices for modulating the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.

Gary E. Maddox of Willard was reappointed to the Missouri Statewide Independent Living Council. Maddox, executive director of the Southwest Center for Independent Living, was reappointed for a term to end Oct. 29, 2009.

Ozarks Community Hospital, formerly Doctors Hospital of Springfield, announced three staff additions and a departmental designation.

Dr. Fernando Cavero, an internal medicine physician, joined Ozarks Community Hospital, formerly Doctors Hospital of Springfield, and began seeing patients at the hospital’s north-side clinic on Jan. 2. Cavero, who has 15 years of experience in emergency and internal medicine in the Ozarks, earned his medical degree at the University of Illinois. He previously worked at the Mayo Clinic in internal medicine.

Angie Powers, an advanced practice registered nurse and nurse practitioner, joined Ozarks Community Hospital, seeing patients in its pain clinic. Her practice areas include medical management, major joint infections, nerve blocks and pain-pump management.

Chuck Renner, a registered occupational therapist and certified hand therapist, was named the program director for Ozarks Community Hospital’s rehabilitation services. The clinic moved on Jan. 2 from the hospital’s main campus to an office at 3045 S. National, Ste. 201, at the corner of Montclair Street and National Avenue.

The laboratory at Ozarks Community Hospital was accredited by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists after a recent on-site inspection. During the lab accreditation process, inspectors examined laboratory records, procedure quality control, staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program, safety record and overall management. The accreditation is valid for two years.

St. John’s Health System announced several staff additions and accomplishments.

Dr. Anne Winkler was awarded a mastership in the American College of Physicians, making her one of 11 Missouri physicians to hold the honor. Mastership is awarded to those who show exemplary dedication, knowledge and service in internal medicine and medical subspecialties.

Dr. P.L. Geiger joined St. John’s Clinic-Branson West. He earned his medical degree and completed his family practice residency at the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City. Geiger is board-certified in family practice and is a member of the American College of Family Physicians, the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association.

Dr. Samuel A. Crow II rejoined St. John’s Clinic-East Kearney in Springfield following a two-year foreign service mission for the U.S. government in east Africa. Crow, who is board-certified by the American Board of Family Practice, earned his medical degree from the Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences-College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City and completed his residency training with Womack Army Community Hospital in Fort Bragg, N.C.

Dr. John Hawkins and his cardiology colleagues recently presented results of the Triton-TIMI 38 study at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association. Hawkins and his colleagues participated in the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

This is the second study in recent years that the cardiologists have participated in, with references in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The latest study may help bring a new drug to the market that would give physicians additional treatment options with blood thinners for patients with coronary artery disease.

Dr. Shachar Tauber and Pete Miles of St. John’s Eye Research met with a team of Army ophthalmologists and optometrists to discuss eye injuries suffered by soldiers in the battlefield. During the meeting, several goals were outlined for St. John’s and Walter Reed Army Medical Center working together, including for the development of electrospun nanofiber adhesive for acute repair of corneal and scleral lacerations.

The entities also plan to work together to determine ways to use amniotic membrane to provide immediate reconstruction of the ocular surface at combat support hospitals and other facilities. [[In-content Ad]]