The Drew County Sheriff’s Office, Monticello Police Dept. and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) collected approximately 13 pounds of pills, along with around half a gallon of cough medicine, Saturday, in their effort to give the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. 

This year, the second year of the annual event, collected double the amount of last years total.

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At Monday night’s Drew County Quorum Court meeting, the court voted unanimously to approve the board of directors of Drew Memorial Hospital’s request for a status change to a 501C3 non-profit organizaiton.

The hospital board will remain the same.  The board will not be paid or otherwise compensated; and board members will continue to  be chosen by the Judge and the quorum court.

DMH CEO Interview Q&A 

Between the final board meeting and the Quorum Court presentation, MonticelloLive visited with Drew Memorial Hospital CEO, Mike Layfield, and asked several questions about the 501C3 status change.

Here are those questions, along with Layfield’s explanation.

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Tracy Daniel was named Drew Memorial Hospital’s Health Hero for March 2011.  Tracy has been a Home Health employee less than one year.

Following a weekend she went into a patients house and discovered that they had not eaten all weekend because they had run out of insulin and did not have any gas or money to buy gas to go get insulin. Therefore they had not eaten because they did not want their sugar to be messed up . Tracy went to the store for them and got their insulin for them. These patients did not have any family to help care for them.

Several important changes are taking place at Drew Memorial Hospital this week, including the opening of the new front parking lot, and the closing of a section of hospital drive, which is usually used to access the hospital’s emergency room

Due to the construction, Emergency Room traffic at Drew Memorial Hospital will be re-routed behind the hospital until further notice.

Drive one block farther on Old Warren Road before turning left, then turn onto Hospital Drive to get to the Emergency Room.

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Included in this article are some thoughts and quotes from Drew Memorial Hospital’s CEO Mike Layfield, in regards to their recent board meeting, as well as decisions currently facing the hospital. Also provided are 2 videos, where Layfield spoke at a recent Rotary Club meeting.

Layfield told MonticelloLive.com, “Drew Memorial’s Board held what I would consider as another historic board meeting. The last being when the board approved the $14 million dollar modernization program in a phased in process, that when completed will modernize the entire hospital for decades to come at a total cost of approximately $50 Million.” In response to creation of new jobs and the economic impact of this Phased in approach Layfield responded” as each phase is completed additional jobs will be created and there will be major economic benefit to the economy of Drew County. Approximately 30 new jobs will be created as each phase is completed ; ultimately over 100 jobs will be created . Not only hospital staff jobs, but more doctors will come here opening offices and hiring staff, all health related businesses in Drew county receive a positive impact, in addition to all local business economies. Even our tax base will go up as people move to Drew County purchasing , homes , cars, and other goods from local merchants”

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Drew Memorial Hospital was presented the Arkansas Governor’s Quality Awards during the 16th Annual Awards Celebration for the Governor’s Quality Award Program on Monday evening, at the Peabody Hotel Little Rock. Approximately 260 business and civic leaders from throughout Arkansas attended the celebration.

DMH CEO Mike Layfield told MonticelloLive, “We are proud to receive the prestigious Governors Quality Award for the second year running, 2009 and now 2010! This award was a team effort received on behalf of all the employees and physicians at Drew Memorial Hospital. This award signifies, what all our patients want and have come to expect-“ excellence in quality and customer service” provided to all in Drew County and Southeast Arkansas.”

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Southeast Arkansas Health Foundation President Tom Wingard recently presented Michael Layfield, Administrator of Drew Memorial Hospital, with a check for $100,000 toward the purchase of a new digital mammography machine. The machine will be installed at the hospital by the end of the year.

“The Foundation is thrilled to have played a major role in obtaining funds for this lifesaving piece of equipment,” stated Memorie Dickson, SEAHF executive director. “This would not have been possible without generous contributions from businesses and individuals in our community. We are forever grateful for the investment that has been made in the future of healthcare for women in southeast Arkansas.”

Joining Layfield and Wingard for the check presentation were Memorie Dickson, Donna Gardner, Michael Efird, Mike Pennington, and Tonya Jacobs.

990 free flu shots were given to Monticello area residents, Thursday, as the Drew County Health Unit teamed up the the Arkansas Dept. of Health, at the First Assembly of God church’s fellowship hall.

In addition to Thursday’s clinic, another 1,213 shots have been given at area schools, with City Park Schools scheduled on on November 3rd and Monticello High School planned for November 9th, according to Karen Brown, of the Drew County Health Dept.

Dr. Ryan Collins was voted Arkansas Chiropractic Association’s Chiropractor of the Decade.

Dr. Collins has held Director’s and Vice-President’s positions for the Arkansas Chiropractic Association in the first part of the decade, and for the past five years, has served on the Arkansas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. He was elected President of the Board of Examiners in August of this year.

Dr. Collins had previously won Chiropractor of the Year in 2001 and 2009.

Dr.Collins is shown with Dr. Julie Traylor-Logan, of West Memphis, Secretary/Treasurer of the Association and Dr. Leonard Notto, of Russellville,  Past-President of the Association.

Jackie Pace, of The Insurance Exchange, a longtime Monticello businesswoman, was approved by the Drew County Quorum Court, Monday night, to serve on the board of directors of Drew Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Pace will complete the unexpired term of Laura Smith.

Click on the video above to go on a tour of the new Mainline Community Health Clinic in Monticello.  (Click on the “cloverleaf” to set it to full screen.)

Mainline’s Allan Nichols will take you on a tour of the facility, and explain many of the features of the clinic, and the services that they offer to Monticello and the surrounding area.

1. Labor Day was first observed on September 5th, 1882.
2. President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day to be the first Monday of September.
3. Labor Day is celebrated in Canada as well as the United States.
4. There are 2 different traditions concerning who founded Labor Day: Some state Peter McGuire, the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, while others contend that it was in fact Matthew McGuire, a machinist, who founded Labor Day in the United States.
5. The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City.
6. Oregon was the first state to declare Labor Day as law.
7. 10,000 workers took an unpaid holiday to march in the first Labor Day parade.
8. Labor Day was founded when many in America worked 16 hour days in harsh work environments.
9. Labor Day is unofficially celebrated as the end of summer in America.
10. Thank Walter Reuther for paid vacation and paid sick leave. He campaigned hard for these rights in the 30’s.

Reprinted from the Drew Memorial Newsletter

Wednesday, UAMS received a $102,131,393 federal grant – one of the largest ever received by an Arkansas institution – announced at UAMS by Rick Wade, senior advisor and deputy chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In addition to the $102 million grant, UAMS and its partners are providing a 20.6 percent match of $26,450,427.

The grant will enable fiber connections and/or bandwidth upgrades in all 75 counties and in 135 Arkansas communities, including 81 Arkansas hospitals, all two-year colleges (four-year colleges are already connected), eight public libraries, all state human development centers, the state’s trauma network, community health centers, mental health clinics and home health agencies.

For more information read the full article on MagnoliaReporter.com

Mainline Health Systems, who operate medical clinics in Wilmot, Portland, Dermott, and Eudora, opened their newest facility in Monticello, in the former McKeiver Clinic building, located behind Drew Memorial Hospital, Tuesday, July 6.

The clinic is equipped with current, state of the art equipment, such as digital x-ray, and electronic medical records.  Each of their clinics includes equipment that is often used in a ”mini emergency room” setting.

Mainline accepts all forms of insurance, and accepts all patients, with or without insurance, regardess of their ability to pay.  It is estimated that 40% of patients will qualify for some level of financial assistance, based on a sliding fee scale.  The lowest fee for visits will be $15. (more…)

Always read directions
Always have an adult present
Use fireworks outdoor only
Light one at a time
Keep a safe distance
Never experiment with fireworks
Never use near dry grass or flammable item
Never point or throw fireworks at another person
Have a bucket of water & hose handy
Never attempt to re-light or “fix” fireworks
Do not wear loose fitting clothing
Never carry fireworks in your pocket
Fireworks are not toys

Father’s Day is a celebration of fatherhood and male parenting. Father’s Day is celebrated on a variety of date’s worldwide and typically involves gift-giving, special dinners to fathers, and family gatherings. Also, remembering what our fathers taught us, both good and not so good. We usually tell special stories about our fathers, bringing to mind, why we love them so very much.

As you make plans to honor your father, stepfather, or forefathers; let’s all pause for a moment and think about what your father has done for you or is currently doing, in his role as a father. And all fathers, you need to think about your role too. Fathers play a very important role in the development and lives of their children. They are best friends, mentors, coaches, protectors; typically providing mental, physical, spiritual and financial support. A father influences the shape and direction of a child’s character and values by giving respect, care, love, discipline, encouragement, guidance, being there to just talk to, ask a question and leading through example. (more…)

U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Friday announced that the Drew Memorial Hospital will receive a $12 million Recovery Act loan to construct a replacement bed patient wing and a new allied health building.

“This funding will help the Drew Memorial Hospital continue to provide quality care to the community and surrounding areas. I am pleased that, through my role as Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman, I was able to help secure these funds,” Lincoln said.

“Approval of this loan will allow us to kick off the first phase of the modernization of Drew Memorial Hospital. This project will help us to better provide the highest quality health care services to everyone in Drew County and the surrounding areas,” Drew County Hospital CEO Michael Layfield said.

These projects will provide for fully accessible and modern rooms for area residents. They will also expand health services and education and training opportunities for the public and health care professionals. (more…)

Article taken from DMH Newsletter, by DMH CEO Mike Layfield.—

Mother’s Day celebrations take place all around the world, although at different times. The feelings are the same no matter where in the world it is that you may celebrate Mother’s Day.

Children and their husbands love to celebrate Mother’s Day with their Mother’s (or mother of their children), showering them with love or remembering them with love. (more…)

Since 2007, this presctiption assistance program, involving Drew HEALTH, has saved over $518,000 for local residents.

Here are the program details: (more…)

For the second consecutive, Monticello’s First Assembly of God church was the location where Drew County residents went to get free flu shots, last Friday. 

The event started at 7 a.m., with the added difficulty of working by the light of car headlights shining the windows, because electricity wasn’t restored to the area until around 10:30, after storms the night before.

This year, a total of 1562 shots were given: 1426 were for the seasonal flu; 136 were for the H1N1 strain, which was available only for priority risk residents (as designated by the state) such as expectant mothers.

Last year over 1600 shots were given, but this year, workers used all of the available vaccine before 3 o’clock.

Karen Brown, administrator of the local health unit, seemed pleased with the days results, and complimented the 50 staff and volunteers, who made the event possible.

The Drew Memorial Hospital Board Meeting was held Wednesday, in the hospital’s board room.

• Representatives from the hospital administration and the USDA met last week to finalize the application for a $12 million loan from the USDA. The hospital’s new architectural firm, Cromwell, will reassess the hospital’s building modernization program and update the USDA application for the hospital’s architectural plans.

• The board approved the hospital to go forward with a financial feasibility study to complete the USDA application to complete phase I and II of the hospital modernization program. (more…)

Fifteen organizations received Governor’s Quality Awards Monday evening in Little Rock, and Drew Memorial Hospital received the second highest award possible.

The top award went to White River Medical Center, receiving the Governors Award for Performance Excellence. Drew Memorial Hospital received the next highest award from the Governor, the Governors Achievement Award.  Several organizations received the third place award, the Governors Commitment award and several more received the forth place award, the Governors Challenge Award. (more…)

During the regular Quorum Court meeting held last Thursday, County Judge Damon Lampkin brought up the new Medical Office Building. Dr. Sidney Collins and Dr. Jeffrey Reinhart were there to discuss the status of the prospective building. Collins stated that they had come to a roadblock in the building because the land was appraised for much higher than they were hoping to pay.

The county paid for an appraiser to come in and examine the land and his estimate for the five acres of land was around $224,000. The doctors then paid for a different appraiser to examine the land and his estimate for the five acres was $110,000. The doctors do not want to have to pay $224,000 with all the restrictions that were put on the building. They asked the court to lower the price of the land. (more…)

A special called meeting of the Drew Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees was held at noon Thursday. The purpose of the meeting was to select a Architectural firm to provide traditional architect/General contractor bid process and over site services for the planned $14 million Hospital expansion and modernization program.

Proposals from three architectural firms were reviewed . All firms were based in Little Rock ,have extensive hospital experience and are large enough to work with government funding requirements. Proposals were reviewed from: Polk, Stanley and Wilcox Architects; Wittenberg,Delony&Davidson and Cromwell Architects and Engineers.

The board voted to select Cromwell Architects and Engineers from Little Rock as the hospital’s Architect to provide services for the allied health building and 41 inpatient bed wing.

The Quorum Court unanimously approved the Hospital Board’s request to borrow $14 million to fund the Hospitals building modernization plan. Construction could start within the next 15 months.

With the approval of the loan application; Phase I of the modernization will be to build and construct an Allied Health building containing services such as a sleep center, physical therapy, and an outpatient psychiatric program.

Additional services can be added to the building such as chemotherapy and radiation treatment programs and outpatient clinics. Phase II of the program will be the addition of 41 all private rooms replacing the current medical/surgical rooms.

I was thinking the other day  about how everyone seems to want a “Business Card”. Many of us have one, serving to identify us, by providing our name, title, e-mail address and phone number, as a way to “connect” with us. (more…)

Two representatives with Murray and Company provided preliminary sketches of the phase modernization plan. The Board voted to begin work on Phase I, the allied health building, shown in red in the photo.

The Drew Memorial Hospital Board voted to move ahead with the first phase of the master site plan to modernize the hospital during its regular meeting Wednesday, July 22. Murray and Company will draw up the plans for the new allied health building.

The master site plan consists of six phases, which include new construction, renovations and remodeling to modernize the hospital’s facilities. The Board voted to approach the phase modernization project by starting with Phase I, construction of the allied health building. (more…)

All 7 members of the board of directors of Drew Memorial Hospital unanimously approved a resolution encouraging the quorum court and county judge to support the sale and use of approximately 5 acres of land (located in the pine covered area north of the hospital) to be used as a medical office building.

Dr. Sydney Collins and Dr. Jeff Reinhart were present at last week’s board meeting, representing local dentist Tim Chase, who will also be a part of the venture.  Dr. Michael Fakouri will also work out of the facility. (more…)

Monticello’s  Dr. Sylvia Simon was recently appointed to serve  on the Arkansas Medical Board by Gov. Mike Beebe

Dr. Simon’s term will expire on December 31, 2014.

Skin Cancer: Reduce Your Risk With ‘Safe Sun’ Guidelines

What are the safe-sun guidelines?Safe-sun guidelines are the following 4 ways to protect your skin and reduce your risk of skin cancer: (more…)