Citizens Memorial

BREAKING STORY -- Alzheimer’s disease patients now have another medication option that may help slow the progression of the disease, and Citizens Memorial Hospital (CMH) patients played a role in the drug’s approval. The Food and Drug Administration approved Kisunla (donanemab) July 2 for the treatment of early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Kisunla (donanemab) is the first FDA-approved drug for which patients at CMH in Bolivar, Missouri, participated in the clinical research trial that led to FDA approval. Through Missouri Memory Center and CMH Research Department, 15 patients have participated in clinical research studies for the drug since March 2021. “This is the second drug treatment for Alzheimer’s disease that the FDA has approved in less than a year,” said Curtis P. Schreiber, M.D., board-certified neurologist and medical director of Missouri Memory Center and CMH Research Department in Bolivar. “What makes this drug approval even more exciting is that we had, and still have, patients at Missouri Memory Center who participated in the clinical research study. Their participation helped provide the necessary evidence that the drug is effective in significantly slowing cognitive and functional decline in patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.” Eli Lilly and Company International filed for FDA approval last year. The company presented full study results at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in July 2023. “We are rapidly progressing in the field of Alzheimer’s testing and treatment, and it is exciting to have yet another option for slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Schreiber. “With the availability of these drugs, it is even more important to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease early.” Free cognitive screenings are available on the third Friday of every month at Missouri Memory Center in Bolivar. Call 417-327-3530 for more information or to schedule an appointment. The Missouri Memory Center at CMH continues to provide specialized care to people in our region with memory concerns, including Alzheimer’s disease. The CMH Research Department has opportunities for patients interested in participating in clinical trials studying new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. For more information about the CMH Neurology & Headache Center, Missouri Memory Center or CMH Research Department, call 417-328-7781 or email [email protected]. For more information about Lilly’s Kisunla, visit https://bit.ly/3W8ixxe.

At CMH, we are committed to advancing Alzheimer’s care and research. Our Missouri Memory Center and CMH Research Department have made significant strides, participating in groundbreaking studies and developing new diagnostic tools. Neurologist Dr. Curtis Schreiber shares about our latest efforts and innovations in our blog post and video: https://direc.to/kFq3

Hospitals throughout the state are engaged in community-specific programs to improve health and well-being. CMH is no exception. Our Mobile Integrated Health program was recently featured by the Missouri Hospital Association in their 2024 Community Investment Report for our innovative approach to providing care in the community. By extending services beyond the hospital campus, we are enhancing access to primary care and services from community paramedics in patients' homes. Community paramedicine reduces the need for rehospitalization and allows for better coordination of care and community resources to improve health and wellness in the long term. https://lnkd.in/gxAnmpWT

Congratulations to the 2024 Springfield Business Journal Health Care Champions! Citizens Memorial Hospital/CMH Foundation was honored as top Health Care Organization (Large Category), and three CMH employees were honored with awards, including Mandi Brantley, Physical Therapist (Top Specialty Provider), Robert Baker, Physical Therapist (Top Specialty Provider) and Jarrett Finnell, Director of Materials Management (Health Care Professional). Tregg Geren, CMH's Chief Operating Officer, accepted the award for CMH. A special banquet and awards ceremony was held on Thursday, June 27 in Springfield.

We celebrated our newest scholarship recipients at a special reception in their honor on June 11. Fifteen students were on hand to receive the new Club 1982 Employee, Children and Grandchildren Scholarship. Donations to the Club 1982 employee giving program fund the scholarship. Sixteen students were awarded Medical Excellence Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year. Students are enrolled in various health programs including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pre-med, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, radiology and laboratory science. Go to https://lnkd.in/gCi2kaTK to learn more about CMH college scholarships.

Citizens Memorial Hospital and Ash Grove Family Medical Center welcome Chad Law, D.O., to the medical staff. Dr. Law is a physician specializing in family medicine at Ash Grove Family Medical Center. He joins Lauren Argo, FNP-C, April Donovan, FNP-C, and Tia Phillips, DNP, FNP-C at the clinic. Dr. Law attended medical school at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an internship at Capital Region Medical Center and a family medicine residency at Saint Louis University Scott Air Force Base. Dr. Law served 28 years in the U.S. Air Force and is a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Before joining CMH, he was a family physician assigned to the 19th Medical Group at Little Rock Air Force Base. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Board of Family Physicians, and the American Osteopathic Association. Dr. Law is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Law is currently accepting new patients. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 417-751-2100. Ash Grove Family Medical Center is located at 500 N. Medical Drive in Ash Grove.

In the latest CEO Update, Michael Calhoun shares the significant progress we’ve made in the first year of our three-year strategic plan at CMH. Our commitment to quality, growth, access to care, and employee recruitment has led to exceptional outcomes in FY24. As we refresh our strategic plan for FY25, we remain focused on building upon our successes and introducing new initiatives to further enhance patient care and community health. Read more in our CEO update blog post and video: https://direc.to/kNzW

Today is National Senior Health & Fitness Day, but we promote senior health and fitness every day at the CMH Senior Health Center in Bolivar. If you are 55 or older and live in Polk, Greene, Dallas, Dade, Hickory, Cedar and St. Clair counties, you can sign up for a FREE membership. The center offers exercise equipment, a pool and classes so you can find an exercise routine that works for you. Learn more at bit.ly/CMHSHC

Demolition on the southside of the hospital has begun.

It's official! Construction for the hospital expansion started today with the installation of the construction fencing. The kitchen and cafeteria moved over the weekend, and the cafeteria is now open for business in the Community Rooms.