Hannibal Regional Healthcare System News Archive
Community leaders met virtually on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 to continue community conversation about response to the coronavirus pandemic and announce the following:
The group continues to urge our community to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated guidelines to combat the spread of this virus, including hand washing, regular disinfection of surfaces, practicing social distancing and limiting travel, and staying home if you are sick. If you think you may have the coronavirus, please call your healthcare provider’s office before visiting.
Additionally, the group reminds our community of the importance of seeking out information from credible and reliable sources like the CDC, and not relying on social media for updates.
The group of community leaders includes representatives from the following: Hannibal-LaGrange University; Preferred Family Healthcare; Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council; Mark Twain Behavioral Health; YMCA of Hannibal; City of Hannibal; Marion County Health Department; Hannibal Police Department; Hannibal Fire Department; Clarity Healthcare; The PATCH Center; Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce; Hannibal Clinic; Douglass Community Services; United Way of the Mark Twain Area; Marion County Emergency Management; Holy Family School; St. John’s Lutheran School; Hannibal Public Schools; Hannibal Regional Healthcare System; and Moberly Area Community College.
Bus Schedule*
*All locations are Hannibal, 63401, except where noted
Key community leaders gathered Monday morning, March 16, 2020, to continue conversations regarding community preparedness and response to the coronavirus pandemic. This group, composed of more than thirty representatives from organizations in the Hannibal area, identified ways to continue joint efforts in a unified approach to the coronavirus situation. As of the time of the meeting, there have been no positive COVID-19 test results in the northeast Missouri region. Healthcare officials reported that patients are able to be tested in the Hannibal area and some area residents have already been tested. Missouri state officials communicate daily and if any new cases are confirmed either locally or on the state-wide level, the state will make the announcement.
As local officials work together on this issue, we urge our community to do the same. When the Centers for Disease Control provides updated guidelines to combat the spread of this virus, please follow them! Your actions can affect so many around you and what you do could save the lives of many. WASH your hands. Practice social distancing, limit travel, clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily, stay home if you are sick and call your healthcare provider’s office before visiting if you think you may have the coronavirus.
Additionally, this group reminds our community of the importance of seeking out information from credible and reliable sources like the CDC, and not relying on social media for updates. This group continues to routinely communicate and will offer updates both through each organization and as well as further releases from this group. The group includes representatives from the following: Hannibal-LaGrange University; Preferred Family Healthcare; Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council; Mark Twain Behavioral Health; YMCA of Hannibal; City of Hannibal; Marion County Health Department; Hannibal Police Department; Hannibal Fire Department; Clarity Healthcare; The PATCH Center; Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce; Hannibal Clinic; Douglass Community Services, Marion County Emergency Management, Holy Family School; St. John’s Lutheran School; Hannibal Public Schools; Hannibal Regional Healthcare System; Marion County Emergency Management; and Moberly Area Community College.
Remember, stay educated, follow CDC guidelines, and stay calm. We can all work together to keep our community safe and healthy. For the most recent coronavirus updates, visit www.cdc.gov.
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 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 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.
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.