News

Thomas W. Keller, President and CEO of Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains, has been elected to the Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) Board of Trustees. MHA’s board provides governance for the association and assists in the development of policy on behalf of the state’s 142 member hospitals. Keller’s term as an at-large trustee began Sept. 17, and he will serve as a member of the board throughout 2022.

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 makes its arrival in the Ozarks, Ozarks Healthcare officials are asking community members to stay informed and take protections against the virus during the winter months ahead. On Dec. 28, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) issued a public health alert after sewershed samples tested from the week of Dec. 20 showed presence of the Omicron variant in multiple communities, including West Plains.

Ozarks Healthcare has welcomed its first baby to be born in its Women’s Center in 2022. Trace Jared Hale made his arrival at 6:46 p.m. on Jan. 3, weighing 8 pounds and 2 ounces. Trace is the son of Alex Lambe and Tyler Hale of West Plains.

The Busy Hands and Stitchers of the West Plains Senior Center recently donated handmade items, including blankets and newborn caps, for Ozarks Healthcare’s first baby born at its Women’s Center in 2022.

Sarah James, certified speech-language pathologist (SLP), has been promoted from manager to director of Ozarks Healthcare Therapies. As director, James will oversee Ozarks Healthcare’s physical and occupational therapy, as well as speech-language pathology services in inpatient, outpatient, nursing home, home health, and school settings.

With the holidays quickly approaching, there is concern among health officials regarding travel and the spread of COVID-19. However, with Influenza A H3N2 being this year’s dominant strain of the flu, Ozarks Healthcare physicians are also concerned about the potential of a threatening flu season.

The Ozarks Healthcare Foundation recently hosted a chili cook-off among staff to raise funds for its current mobile mammography unit campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise funds to purchase a mobile mammography unit in 2022 to help make routing screenings more accessible for women who might not otherwise have access to this service. All Ozarks Healthcare departments and clinics were welcomed to participate in the cook-off. Votes were cast by donation. All proceeds raised through voting benefitted the Foundation’s campaign.

A group of employees from West Plains Bank and Trust Company have collectively made a special donation of $200 to the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation’s fundraising initiative for a mobile mammography unit. The funds will be used to help with costs associated with the purchase of a mobile mammography unit to help make routine screenings more accessible for women who might not otherwise have access to this service.