News Articles

June 23, 2022

Saint Francis Medical Center Earns National Recognition for Stroke Treatment

Saint Francis Medical Center has received the American Heart Association's Gold Plus Award for its commitment to prioritizing quality care for stroke patients. The award recognizes the hospital's commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based...

June 14, 2022

Saint Francis Achieves 300th TAVR Milestone

Saint Francis Healthcare System's Heart Valve Center achieved a momentous milestone this month performing its 300th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) since the program began September 2014. TAVR is a safer alternative to open-heart surgery, offering patients with severe aortic stenosis a minimally invasive surgical option....

June 3, 2022

Essenpreis Accepts Compensation Manager Role

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to announce Lucas Essenpreis has accepted the role of Compensation Manager with the Human Resources department at Saint Francis Healthcare System. Essenpreis earned his Bachelor of Science with a specialization in Human Resources Management from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He...

May 31, 2022

Roy to Take on Role of Pain Management Center Practice Manager

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to announce Thomas Roy, CPPM, has accepted the Pain Management Center Practice Manager position, effective May 2022. Roy received his Bachelor of Science degree in Health Management from Southeast Missouri State University. Roy joins Saint Francis from SoutheastHEALTH, where he...

May 12, 2022

Dush to Take on New Role as Patient Care Manager of Home Health

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to recognize Lawrence Dush, RN, BSN, in his promotion to Patient Care Manager of Home Health, effective April 2022. Dush began his career at Saint Francis Healthcare System in October of 2019, starting as a registered nurse in Home Health....

May 11, 2022

Saint Francis to Begin Patient Care Associate Program

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to begin a quarterly Patient Care Associate program. The Patient Care Associate Program is a paid educational opportunity for caring, compassionate individuals looking to begin or expand their career in healthcare. The five-week program begins with organizational orientation. Student Patient...

May 10, 2022

Saint Francis Honored with 2022 Kasten Award

Saint Francis Healthcare System was honored with the 2022 Kasten Award from Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri. The Kasten Award is the highest honor given to a Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri (CPSEMO) member, named after the founder and former Missouri State Representative, Mary Kasten. The...

May 4, 2022

Saint Francis Foundation Receives $10,000 Grant from the American Cancer Society

The Saint Francis Foundation has received a $10,000 grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS) to provide transportation for cancer patients in need. The grant will underwrite gas cards and car service rides for eligible patients who face transportation barriers to attend cancer-related appointments currently...

May 4, 2022

Anglin to Take on New Role as Manager of Care Coordination

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to recognize Ashley Anglin, RN, in her promotion to Manager of Care Coordination, effective April 2022. Anglin began her career at Saint Francis Healthcare System in March of 2010, starting as a Nurse Assistant in the Neurosciences Unit and moving...

April 13, 2022

Bratton Accepts Nurse Practitioner Role at Saint Francis Clinic Poplar Bluff

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to announce J. Nichole Bratton, CPNP-PC, has accepted a pediatric nurse practitioner role in the Urgent Care at Saint Francis Clinic Poplar Bluff. Bratton received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo., followed by...

April 7, 2022

Smith to Take on New Role as Patient Care Manager of Level III NICU

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to recognize Tonika Smith, BSN, RNC-NIC, in her promotion to Patient Care Manager of Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), effective March 2022. Smith began her career at Saint Francis Healthcare System in March of 2020, starting as a...

April 5, 2022

Kneer Returns as Director of Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to announce the return of Claire Kneer, RN, BSN, MHA, as Director of Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care, effective March 2022. Kneer began her career at Saint Francis Healthcare System in 2011, starting as a Case Manager and moving...

April 4, 2022

Jenkins Accepts Position as Director of Enterprise Project Management

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to announce Amanda Jenkins has accepted the Director of Enterprise Project Management position, effective March 2022. Jenkins received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Human Resource Management from Columbia Southern University. Jenkins joins Saint Francis from the...

March 30, 2022

Underwood Returns as Manager of Facilities Management

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to announce the return of Matt Underwood as Manager of Facilities Management, effective March 2022. Underwood began his career at Saint Francis Healthcare System in 2009, becoming Manager of Facilities Management in 2014, and remaining in this role until 2021. In...

March 28, 2022

Powers to Take on Director of Environmental Services Role

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to recognize Gordon Powers in his promotion to Director of Environmental Services, effective March 2022. Powers began his career at Saint Francis Healthcare System in 2012, starting as a Reprocess Technician in the Sterile Processing Department, and remaining in that...

March 23, 2022

Lenihan Joins Cape Cardiology Group

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to welcome Daniel J. Lenihan, MD, FACC, to Cape Cardiology Group, a Saint Francis Medical Partner. Lenihan is an experienced cardiologist specializing in cardio-oncology, congestive heart failure management and amyloidosis, who joins Saint Francis from Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence at...

March 22, 2022

Ernst Accepts Director Role with Saint Francis

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to announce Denise Ernst, BSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, has returned to Saint Francis as Director of Engagement and Critical Care Services, effective March 2022. Ernst received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southeast Missouri State University. She began her nursing...

March 22, 2022

Borders Accepts Nurse Practitioner Position at Cape Cardiology Group

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to announce Blake Borders, FNP-BC, has accepted a nurse practitioner role at Cape Cardiology Group, a Saint Francis Medical Partner. Borders earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau 2012, and her...