Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center is a Cornerstone of Southeast Missouri
3/31/2023
POPLAR BLUFF, MO -- The skilled and compassionate hands of physicians, nurses and other team members of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center (PBRMC) support the health and well-being of patients. Beyond providing clinical care, PBRMC is a cornerstone of our community and a major contributor to the economic health of Butler County and the surrounding area as a major employer and tax-payer and through resources invested to expand and enhance the medical services available close to home. The overall impact is significant and totaled more than $218 million in 2022.
Care was provided at more than 341,000 patient encounters, including more than 41,300 emergency department visits, more than 10,200 inpatient admissions, and more than 8,300 surgeries. Over 280,000 patients received care across the Regional Physician Services and Rural Healthcare Clinics, such as Bluff Imaging and Women’s Center, Cardiovascular Institute of Southern Missouri, and Poplar Bluff Medical Center. Joy was delivered to local families with the birth of more than 1,200 babies.
“We help people get well and live healthier by providing quality care for patients,” said Rick Naegler, chief executive officer for Poplar Bluff Regional Health System. “Our community is truly fortunate to have this dedicated team of clinicians and caregivers here in Southeast Missouri.”
“Our cardiology department with Drs. Reddy, Njoh and Ruiz Diaz, provide clinical excellence for heart care. Dr. Alfaqih, a board-certified pulmonologist, brings a level of care that rivals university system care. His dedication alone in the height of the pandemic brought care to our region that would have otherwise been transferred out of our community. Dr. Preston Jones, through his orthopedic clinic, is the epitome of keeping care in our community,” CEO Naegler added.
PBRMC applies its resources to medical services, facilities, and technologies that are important to patients. These include the complete replacement of all cardiac monitoring equipment and total transformation to a system-wide electronic health care record in 2022/23. Access has been enhanced with the recruitment of primary care, gastroenterology, orthopedic and cardiology providers, meaning more specialized services here locally. Capital improvements totaling more than $8.5 million were made to update equipment and support clinical services areas throughout the system of care.
PBRMC also gives back to the broader Butler County region by providing over $77 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable. And the payment of $13.7 million in property and sales taxes helps support civic resources and services.
The hospital’s payroll of more than $101 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services. Last year the hospital added enhanced benefits to help team members achieve their personal and professional goals, including assistance with student loan repayments, reimbursement of licensure and certification expenses, as well as tuition reimbursement.
CEO Naegler continued, “The vital care we provide is only one part of the broad impact we have. We are a cornerstone of this community, and we are committed to doing all we can to provide excellent healthcare services by being active in our community through charitable donations, health education, and preventive healthcare with our commitment to making Poplar Bluff and Southeast Missouri a healthier, better community for all.”
In its second year, PBRMC’s internal medicine residency program designed to equip physicians with the necessary skills and ethical practices played a strong role in guiding the next generation of physicians in providing quality healthcare. It currently has 12 residents, and an additional six residents will join in 2023.
Support for local charitable and community organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland, Haven House and Bread Shed continued through more than $25 thousand (including $17K from PBRMC employees Jean Day contributions) in donations and outreach. The team also provided physicals for Poplar Bluff High School students, attended various health fairs, educated on key topics such as heart attack and stroke symptoms, and helped many other local nonprofits. This spring, the first “Jars of Love” peanut butter drive is helping address food insecurity throughout the region by partnering with SEMO Food Bank.
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