Hannibal Regional Healthcare System News Archive
As part of the community’s proactive planning to slow the spread of COVID-19 Hannibal Regional is implementing visitor restrictions beginning March 19, 2020 until further notice.
Until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to our patients, team members and the community Hannibal Regional Healthcare System is implementing visitor restrictions at Hannibal Regional Hospital and all Hannibal Regional Medical Group locations.
We recognize that there are times when having a visitor or family member present is crucial. In these cases, visitors will be allowed based on the exceptions listed below. Please note: in all cases a visitor will only be allowed if they do not have symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath). Additionally, children under the age of 16 will not be allowed except under extraordinary circumstances.
Visitor restrictions are as follows:
Visitors must remain in the patient’s room throughout their visit. Once the visitor leaves the patient’s room they must leave the facility.
Visitors will not be allowed for patients with a pending or positive COVID-19 test. To learn the latest COVID-19 updates at Hannibal Regional visit hannibalregional.org/coronavirus.
Hannibal Regional is pleased to announce that Sheniece Smith has accepted the position of Vice-President - General Counsel. The Vice-President - General Counsel is an integral member of the Hannibal Regional Leadership team and is responsible for providing legal counsel to Hannibal Regional. As Vice-President - General Counsel, Mrs. Smith will advise, advocate and represent the Hannibal Regional Board of Directors and members of the Hannibal Regional leadership team in compliance with legal trends and the needs of Hannibal Regional. Mrs. Smith will also provide leadership for contract management, risk management, clinical information systems, and technical services and securities.
Mrs. Smith is joining the Hannibal Regional team with a number of years of experience in the healthcare industry and a passion for helping the community. Sheniece was most recently the Chief of Staff & Senior Counsel to the CEO for Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and is passionate about making legal services available to those who need it most. During her time in California, Mrs. Smith founded H.O.P.E. Through Affordable Legal Services as a community benefit project to bridge the gap between pro bono services and full attorney fees by increasing access to quality legal services for low-income individuals. Sheniece also launched Family Legal Assistance at CHOC Children’s, a medical-legal partnership, to provide free guardianship and conservatorship services to CHOC families who otherwise would not be able to afford the services. Mrs. Smith has received numerous recognitions, both in the healthcare industry and for community and leadership roles in California.
When asked why she chose to join Hannibal Regional, Sheniece shares, “I am impressed by Hannibal Regional’s dedication to the community and excited about our plans to enhance service offerings. I joined HRHS because I wanted to join a community of caring individuals who are making a difference. I hope to support Hannibal Regional as we continue to guide patients to better health.”
Hannibal Regional serves residents of the tri-state area from 15 locations and includes Hannibal Regional Hospital, Hannibal Regional Medical Group, Complete Family Medicine and Hannibal Regional Foundation. For more information on Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, visit www.hannibalregional.org.
Hannibal, MO -- Hannibal Regional is a vital part of the tri-state region, and for decades people in the community have depended on them for comprehensive healthcare and their highly specialized services.
In order to continue meeting the ever-changing and increasing needs of the community, Hannibal Regional has begun the first phase of a three-year expansion project, investing $61 million in the health of the our region. This major expansion project will allow Hannibal Regional to accommodate the growing needs of northeast Missouri and ensure an even higher level of care and service.
“Our community has relied on Hannibal Regional for over 110 years for quality local healthcare. We work tirelessly to make sure we can guide all of our patients to better, and with that we are continuously analyzing and expanding services and resources to make sure we are meeting the health needs of our community.” said Todd Ahrens, President and CEO of Hannibal Regional.
Site improvements are already underway for the relocation of major utility systems, additional parking lots, expansion of the receiving dock and support service areas at Hannibal Regional. Major construction will begin in October and start with a 2-story expansion of the Intensive Care and Progressive Care units. Following that will be a complete surgery department renovation, adding six new surgery suites including advanced medical imaging operating rooms. Further construction will include a new 4-story, 88,000 square foot addition to Hannibal Regional Medical Group as well as interior renovations to the hospital mall and new entrances to the hospital and medical buildings. This expansion will add over 137,000 square feet of new construction and 50,000 square feet of newly renovated space to Hannibal Regional.
“While this is an exciting time for Hannibal Regional and our community, we know that construction on our medical campus can be challenging for patients and guests, which is why we will be doing everything possible to minimize disruptions as we continue to grow.” stated Todd Ahrens.
The scheduled completion for all phases of new construction and renovations is 2020.
Hannibal Regional serves residents of the tri-state area from more than ten locations and includes, Hannibal Regional Hospital, Hannibal Regional Medical Group, Complete Family Medicine and Hannibal Regional Foundation. Modern Healthcare recently recognized Hannibal Regional as one of the 2017 Best Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information on Hannibal Regional, visit www.hannibalregional.org.
Hannibal Regional serves residents of the tri-state area from more than ten locations and includes,Hannibal Regional Hospital, Hannibal Regional Medical Group, Complete Family Medicine and Hannibal Regional Foundation. Modern Healthcare recently recognized Hannibal Regional as one of the 2017 Best Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information on Hannibal Regional, visit www.hannibalregional.org.
Hannibal, MO – Hannibal Regional is pleased to announce that Complete Family Medicine will soon become part of Hannibal Regional Healthcare System.
In eight short years, Complete Family Medicine has expanded to five locations spanning over 80 miles along US 63 and has nearly 100 employees. “The landscape of health care has changed dramatically over the past eight years and with those changes have come many obstacles. As we looked at organizations, we knew we wanted to find one that would allow us to better serve our patients, enhance our resources, allow freedom to think outside the box and bring Complete Family Medicine value and longevity. Once we met with and saw their mission and vision in action, we knew that Hannibal Regional was the right choice,” said Dr. Justin Puckett, Medical Director of Complete Family Medicine.
As a service of Hannibal Regional, Complete Family Medicine will continue to deliver the excellent standard of care the community relies on, provided by the same great team of physicians and staff. “Hannibal Regional is honored to have the opportunity to help serve the patients of Complete Family Medicine,” noted Todd Ahrens, President and CEO of Hannibal Regional. “The physicians and staff at Complete Family Medicine exemplify our R.I.S.E. values of respect, integrity, service and excellence. It’s our vision is to be the trusted guide to better health – every patient, every time. Together, we will be guiding even more patients to better.”
Hannibal Regional Healthcare System serves residents of the tri-state area from more than ten locations and includes Hannibal Regional Hospital, Hannibal Regional Medical Group, and Hannibal Regional Foundation. Hannibal Regional Medical Group is a growing multi-specialty physician group delivering primary, specialty and express care services at multiple locations in northeast Missouri. For more information on Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, visit www.hannibalregional.org.
Complete Family Medicine is a physician-led medical clinic with six on-staff providers who deliver family medicine, internal medicine, osteopathic manipulation, and urgent care services. With locations in Kirksville, Lancaster, La Plata, Moberly and Macon, Missouri, Complete Family Medicine is focused on the long-term health needs of the region and making health care convenient in our communities. For more information on Complete Family Medicine, visit www.cfmcares.com.
Cutline: Hannibal, MO. Hannibal Regional has announced the acquisition of the Complete Family Medicine clinics located in Kirksville, La Plata, Lancaster, Macon and Moberly, MO. Pictured are Todd Ahrens, President and CEO of Hannibal Regional Healthcare System and Justin Puckett, D.O., Founder and Medical Director of Complete Family Medicine.
Original Levering Hospital Building
One hundred and fifteen years ago the legacy of Hannibal Regional began. At the turn of the twentieth century, there was no hospital to serve citizens of northeast Missouri. With the opening of Levering Hospital on February 2, 1903, the need for hospital care was met and the first part of what would become Hannibal Regional was created. More than a century later, Hannibal Regional continues this commitment to being the leader in healthcare, furthering their mission of guiding the community to better health and shaping the future of healthcare for its residents.
Prior to the opening of Levering Hospital, the sick were cared for in the home, and any surgery needed was performed there or in a doctor’s office. In 1901, Aaron R. Levering, President of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Hannibal, and his wife, Eleanor M. Levering, recognized the need for a hospital to serve the community. The Leverings dedicated land and donated funds for the construction of a hospital in Hannibal and it would be called “Levering Hospital”.
Original Levering Hospital Patient Room
When Levering Hospital opened its doors it was the first erected hospital in northeast Missouri and contained twenty-six patient beds. Throughout its history, Levering Hospital received the support of many other contributors in the form of time, talent and funds. Over the years citizens, religious and civil organizations, and the Levering Hospital Auxiliary generously and unselfishly gave their energy and money to the hospital, truly making it a “Community Partnership.”
Original St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Building
A few years later, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital was organized and founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Maryville, MO. The Reverend Mother, M. Augustine, founder of the Sisters of St. Francis, was also the founder of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. The land for the hospital was purchased in the fall of 1913, and the hospital was completed and received its first patients in the summer of 1915.
Levering Hospital Nurses
Eight young, energetic nursing sisters were sent to Hannibal to operate the hospital. These sisters, with the help of some local citizens, readied the newly constructed hospital to serve the community. This hospital was located on Virginia Street and had thirty-five patient beds.
Hannibal Regional 2020
In July 1987, after many months of discussion and planning, the Board of Directors for both Levering Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital entered into an affiliation agreement to explore the consolidation of both hospitals. In 1988, the two facilities merged, forming Hannibal Regional Hospital.
In addition to celebrating the legacy as an independent provider of health care for the past 115 years, in March Hannibal Regional celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary at their current location. Expanding beyond hospital services, Hannibal Regional now has over 1,200 team members serving 12 counties, offices located in 11 communities, 85 providers and 21 specialties, Hannibal Regional continues to lead the way in providing access to exceptional healthcare and guiding the residents of Northeast Missouri to BETTER.
A trip to the emergency room for a gallbladder attack ended with a surprising outcome for Hannibal resident John David Hymers, known to many as David. In February of 2017 David was returning home from an anniversary trip with his wife, Janna, when a gallbladder attack sent him to the emergency room. David’s gallbladder attack also came with chest pains but the emergency room team quickly ruled out heart problems. Once it was determined David didn’t have heart problems, he was then scheduled for further testing to discover the cause of his problem.
David met with gastroenterologist Dr. Almashhrawi who performed an endoscopy. Through that endoscopy Dr. Almashhrawi made the discovery that David had esophageal cancer and referred him to Hannibal Regional’s Infusion Center for treatment.
Esophageal cancer often remains undetected until a late stage because it produces little to no symptoms and David will always be grateful for the care he received to help guide him to better. The Hannibal Regional Infusion Center team made David and Janna feel comfortable and well-taken care of. When talking about the Infusion Center team David and Janna say, “You all have been nothing but warm, caring, compassionate, attentive to our needs, helpful and loving! We would recommend your services to others without any hesitation.”
The Hannibal Regional Infusion Center team is led by Dr. Kristen Strasser and is located in the Hannibal Regional Medical Building. The Infusion Center offers patients an easy, attractive alternative to a hospital setting for receiving their cancer care and infusion therapy, simplifying and expediting the process while providing the highest-quality care and treatment.
David underwent several weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments and is now on the road to recovery. “The Infusion Center team made our difficult time so much easier - we can’t thank them enough for all their support during our cancer journey!” share David and Janna.
For more information about the Hannibal Regional Infusion Center call 573-629-3478.
Photo cutline: Janna Hymers and David Hymers stand with Ellen Taylor, MSN, RN, OCN in the Hannibal Regional Infusion Center on David’s last day of treatment.
