News – Tuesday, September 30th 2025

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting tonight at 7:00 in the hospital library. After the call to order, roll call and approval of the agenda, public comments or presentations that are limited to 3 minutes will be heard, before the operational reports. No old business is on the agenda, however new business to be conducted includes approving the policies and procedures from the Pharmacy, Social Services, Rehab, HIM, and Revenue Cycle departments, discussion of Capital Improvement Needs, and credentialing new privileges. The board will go into executive session to discuss legal issues. Except for the executive session the meeting of the Salem Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public. Anyone that would like to attend by telephone or electronic means should contact the SMH Administration office at 573-729-6626 Extension 4005.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5070, plus rock will be added where needed. Green said grading will also be done on Dent County Road 6470. He indicated a new employee would be getting trained on the brush cutting Mannis machine on county road 6250. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be adding rock and grading on Dent County Roads 4380 and 4060, while only grading will be done on county roads 4390 and 4070. Williams said the grader blade will be changed out on grader #37, and chip and seal Duro-patching will continue on county roads 2240 and 2250. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson attended an opioid committee meeting last week, but there were no proposals approved as the committee agreed the meeting was not advertised well enough and will reschedule the meeting. Larson also said he will need to be at a Solid Waste Management Advisory Board meeting Wednesday morning in Jefferson City. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she would like to have the high school art students design a new “I Voted” sticker for the 2026 elections. She did this three years ago and had quite a bit of participation. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met, September 18th. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report for the month of August. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated there were no cases of COVID-19 reported, however the sewer shed testing has confirmed that the virus is present, while the active lead cases were reported at 34, plus 10 Communicable Disease cases. Moser noted that he questioned the August report of 74 Lead cases due to new personnel handling the reporting. There was one Influenza A case, 4 animal bites were report, and there were 13 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, resulting in 36 total tests. The August environmental report showed there where 16 total inspections conducted. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there were no car seats distributed, and one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, there were 2 CPR Courses, two consultations for Childcare Health, and 18 Title X appointments were reported. There were no Presumptive Eligibility, while there were 373 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 619 total appointments other than WIC, 130 total provider appointments, 182 treatment court visits, 161 lab appointments and 147 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed 2 Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, 15 family plannings, 4 well-child visits, 3 other well-woman exams, 21 other physicals, plus 40 other visits, and 45 acute illness appointments for a total of 115 visits. Laboratory details showed 199 Lab Draws, 8 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 2 pregnancy tests, 14 lead tests were reported, plus 28 other urine drug screenings. Phlebotomy Appointments totaled 137, while all Lab Appointments totaling 161. Immunizations for August showed none for COVID-19 or for Influenza, and 293 other vaccines given during 147 appointments. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported on the success of the Back-to-School Drive. Moser said the CareCab transportation program has been launched and is providing local needs. He discussed the financial delays from the state of Missouri due to their process changes after their new Fiscal year, plus he noted that the DCHC has opportunities to contract with other LPHA’s for nutritionist support. Zach discussed the Community Healthy Assessment report results and invited the Board to participate in the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) process going forward. Financials were reviewed and discussed, during which Moser explained that the interest rates and investment plan approved at the last meeting could not be honored by the bank. He presented a new list of rates from the Bank of Salem, Town and Country Bank, Progressive Ozark Bank, and MOSIP. Discussion was had on the appropriate amount to hold in checking versus the MOSIP money market versus CDs. Motion was made, seconded and passed to purchase a 1-year CD with MOSIP at 4.14%. A motion was also made, seconded and passed to invest the bulk of funds from the Riverways Federal Credit Union money market and checking accounts into the MOSIP account, while leaving enough in the accounts to keep them open. The Board entered closed session at 6:50. The next meeting date is Thursday, October 16th, at 5:00.