Many local residents are aware of changes to other hospitals and health systems in nearby counties. As the Board of Trustees of Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital (SGCMH), we feel it is important to give a brief update on the status of our local hospital. We are greatly encouraged at how SGCMH is emerging from COVID and growing stronger each month. We are proud to continue our Mission to Put People First by providing Excellent, Personalized and Compassionate Healthcare.
Our 54th anniversary of service to Ste. Genevieve County is quickly approaching. We have maintained our independence through many changes in healthcare. We remain solidly committed to keeping our ability to make decisions locally that directly affect the lives and health of our family, friends and neighbors. We’re confident in our ability to do this because of our Senior Leaders, Medical Staff and outstanding Employees who work in a well-ordered and up to date Facility.
Our Senior Leaders report to Dr. Steve Pautler, whose 40 years experience in health care including 30 in administration; and whose recent experience includes executive leadership in one of the Top 100 community hospitals in the US for over 6 years in a row until his departure. We believe that he can continue to lead SGCMH into the strong and stable facility our County needs and deserves. We will highlight the other members of our Leadership team more around Hospital Week in May. Our Medical Staff is growing, with 6 new physicians and surgeons joining since 2021. This summer, a new General Surgeon and a Family Practitioner will come to our community. The recruitment of a 3rd new OB-GYN is under way.
Our great Employees are a key to our success, and we’re fortunate to have only about 10% turnover, compared to other small hospitals with as many as 25-50% leaving the typical small hospital. We’ve delivered on new programs to deliver quality and value, and worked hard to promote our staff retention, all in an attempt to make sure we’re always here when you need us.
Visitors to our Facilities are always impressed at how clean and well-ordered our Hospital and Clinics look. Our equipment is up to date, with the latest Radiology and Laboratory technology to give our physicians the tools they need. We recently invested in an update to our main electronic medical record to make it easier for physicians, and to use the information to help you get to the best possible health. We’re coming up with new ways to care for you as well, including In-Home Nurse Practitioner visits and starting a local Parish Nurse program to extend care outside the Hospital walls.
Together, your Board of Trustees has decades of service and experience leading your Hospital. We have built an extraordinary place to work with the best group of Medical Staff and Employees we’ve ever had. Healthcare is changing quickly, and our work is to prepare for all the new demands while staying independent and loyal to our Mission. Thank you for your continued trust and support.
Very Respectfully,
Rod Scherer
Chairman, Board of Trustees of Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital