Bruner
Bruner, MO · Health
Springfield News-Leader
Mercy Springfield faces lawsuit over COVID-19 vaccine requirement
Mercy is facing another lawsuit stemming from requirements of COVID-19 vaccines during the global pandemic. The lawsuit, initially filed in 2025, has been re-filed, though faces an argument for dismissal again. A group of 10 former employees, including the two named — Amy Shepard and Marissa Moffatt — filed a lawsuit against Mercy Hospital Springfield in federal court, alleging the employer violated their civil rights when denying religious accommodations for COVID-19 vaccine mandates, imposing conditions on those who did receive accommodations and retaliating against those seeking accommodations from the vaccine. The former employees are being represented by attorney and former Springfield councilwoman Kristi Fulnecky. She had previously filed lawsuits amid the pandemic against Springfield School Board , Springfield City Council and city of Branson over Covid response decisions. The lawsuit on behalf of Shepard and Moffatt and remaining anonymous plaintiffs had initially been filed a year ago and was dismissed this April for failing to properly serve the defendant after filing and insufficiently following court filing rules. Fulnecky re-filed the lawsuit in federal court May 29. According to the complaint filed in court, after Mercy announced COVID-19 vaccination policy in July 2021, the defendants, who according to the lawsuit "held
Springfield News-Leader
Mercy Springfield plans new residency program to fight doctor shortage
Mercy Springfield Communities plans to launch a graduate medical education program in summer 2027. The program, known as a GME program, aims to address the growing shortage of physicians in the region and across the country. By 2032, Mercy expects to establish at least 160 residency and fellowship positions, starting with 75 internal medicine residency slots within the first five years, according to a community announcement. The announcement comes as the United States faces a projected shortage of more than 140,000 physicians by 2038, according to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis. 'Our goal is to address this expected workforce shortage head-on' “We know Springfield is not immune to this, and our goal is to address this expected workforce shortage head-on,” John Myers, president of Mercy Springfield Communities, said in the announcement. “Even with great medical schools in the state, Missouri is a net exporter of medical residents. We lose about one third of med school graduates to other states. There simply are not enough residency slots in Missouri for the number of medical students who want to complete their residency here. A new GME program could help address that.” Graduate medical education programs provide medical school graduates with
KOLR10 News
Mercy Springfield announces program to help with physician shortage
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Mercy Springfield Communities has recently announced a new graduate medical education program in hopes of boosting the need for physicians nationwide. According to a press release from Mercy, the new program will start in the summer of 2027, with plans to establish around 160 residency and fellowship positions by 2032. The release […]
KYTV
Contracts approved for old St. Elizabeth Hospital demolition
The contracts total a little more than $1.7 million and cover engineering services, demolition costs and the removal of hazardous materials.
Springfield News-Leader
Jordan Valley Health names new chief medical officer
Jordan Valley Health has named Dr. Clint Strong as its new chief medical officer. Strong, who will assume the role June 1, has been with Jordan Valley for nearly 14 years, according to a community announcement. Strong has worked in various areas, including pediatrics, hospital rounding, express care and regional clinics. He has played a significant role in advancing patient care and building relationships within the organization. “Dr. Strong’s dedication to our mission, his extensive clinical experience and his commitment to patient-centered care make him an outstanding choice for this role,” Dr. Nick Pfannenstiel, Jordan Valley Health's chief operations officer, said in the announcement. “We are excited to see the impact he will make as chief medical officer and are grateful for his continued service to Jordan Valley Health and the communities we serve.” In his new role, Strong will provide clinical and strategic leadership across all medical specialties. He will work closely with Dr. Ashley Popejoy, chief dental officer, to further expand and strengthen Jordan Valley Health’s integrated care model. Strong is ready for new role “Jordan Valley Health has been my professional home for over 13 years, and I’m honored to step into the role of chief medical
KOLR10 News
Serving the Ozarks: Mercy Hospital NICU nurses
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – May is National Nurses Month, so for this week’s Serving the Ozarks, Carissa Codel is highlighting a local team of nurses who have the big task of saving tiny lives. “Every day is different,” said NICU nurse manager Kara Vinson. Mercy Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit takes care of an average of […]
Springfield News-Leader
CoxHealth reshapes leadership to improve patient care delivery
CoxHealth is making changes to its leadership and service line structure to improve patient care and support for clinicians, according to a community announcement. The changes, effective June 1, are designed to unify the physician enterprise, strengthen system alignment and establish clear ownership of key results, according to the announcement. “This work is about strengthening how CoxHealth is organized to serve patients, support physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs), equip our teams and remain responsive to the communities we serve,” Max Buetow, CoxHealth’s president and CEO, said in the announcement. What’s changing? The changes include creating clearer leadership alignment around the physician enterprise, clinical standards, service line execution and the patient-physician relationship at the center of the care model, according to the announcement. CoxHealth is also creating enhanced service departments focused on two important experiences: how patients move through CoxHealth and how physicians and APPs are supported throughout their careers. These efforts are intended to make care feel more coordinated, connected and seamless for patients while also helping clinicians feel welcomed, equipped, developed and connected to CoxHealth over time, according to the announcement. No impact on employment The realignment will have no impact on employment, according to the announcement, but
KOLR10 News
OCH Wellpointe Clinic to host ribbon cutting ceremony in Marshfield
Ozarks Community Hospital will celebrate its Wellpointe Family Medical Clinic with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Marshfield, inviting community members and local business leaders to attend, learn more about services offered, and meet the clinic's newest provider, LeeAnn Bunch.
krcgtv.com
Health team driven to cure Caitlynn’s Ewing Sarcoma
On the same day that Caitlynn Westbrook passed her learner’s permit exam, the Forsyth, Missouri, native found out she had cancer in her right leg. She had been experiencing leg and hip pain for months. The pain was bad enough it kept her home from school and distracted her from spending time with her two younger siblings.
KYTV
On Your Side: Better Business Bureau offers tips for choosing assisted living facilities
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) - During Older Americans Month, the Better Business Bureau has advice for older adults and their family members who are choosing an assisted living facility. Older Americans Month is a time to recognize older adults’ contributions, learn about aging, and encourage older adults and their...
KCTV 5
Mercy, Children’s Mercy celebrate milestone at future pediatric center in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - Mercy and Children’s Mercy celebrated a major milestone at the site of a future pediatric center. The final beam was hoisted into place on Monday afternoon just off U.S. 65 between Springfield and Ozark. That is where the O’Reilly Pediatric Center is expected to open by the end of the year.
KYTV
Cox South Hospital receives C grade on Leapfrog safety report
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - Cox South Hospital in Springfield received a C grade on hospital safety from Leapfrog, a group that grades hospitals on safety categories. CoxHealth said that quality and safety in healthcare are complex and ongoing efforts. The hospital system said it has consistently prevented the spread of infections within hospitals and has practices in place to prevent errors.
KYTV
Springfield News-Leader
MU will expand Springfield campus into 4‑year medical program
The University of Missouri School of Medicine is expanding its Springfield campus into a full four-year medical program. The move is expected to help address physician shortages and improve access to health care across Missouri, according to a community announcement. Springfield campus to offer full curriculum by 2027 The Springfield campus, which opened in 2016 as a clinical site for third- and fourth-year students, is expected to offer a full medical school curriculum starting in summer 2027. Currently, students complete their first two years of classroom instruction in Columbia before moving to Springfield for clinical rotations. The expansion will allow students to complete all four years of medical training in Springfield. The first class of 32 students is expected to begin in the 2027–28 academic year, with total enrollment reaching 128 students by 2030. This will bring the total enrollment of medical students at the University of Missouri School of Medicine to 672 across both campuses. Partnerships with CoxHealth and Mercy Springfield Communities The expansion is expected to strengthen partnerships with CoxHealth and Mercy Springfield Communities, according to the announcement. The current site hosts up to 28 third-year and 28 fourth-year students each year, who complete clinical rotations through partnerships
Springfield News-Leader
QPS Missouri expands clinical research to patients in Springfield
People living with chronic health conditions now have more opportunities to participate in medical research in Springfield. QPS Holdings, LLC is expanding its clinical research efforts in Springfield to include more patient population–focused studies. This means individuals with conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol can now take part in research that could shape the future of health care, according to a community announcement. Since 1994, QPS Missouri has conducted early-phase clinical trials with healthy volunteers. The organization is now increasing the number of studies involving individuals with chronic health concerns. “Expanding into patient population studies allows us to work directly with individuals who are living with specific health conditions and want to be part of advancing medical research,” said Brendon Bourg, Vice President and General Manager of QPS Missouri. “Every participant plays an important role in helping researchers better understand potential treatments that could improve lives around the world.” Financial benefits for participants Participation in clinical research also brings economic benefits to the local community. Since opening, QPS Missouri has paid more than $55 million in stipends to study participants, including $4.5 million in 2025. Participants receive compensation for their time and involvement while contributing to the development of
Lawrence County Record
Barry-Lawrence Ambulance buys innovative equipment, total runs for 2025 rise by 6 percent for new record
The Barry-Lawrence Ambulance District ordered innovative equipment and reviewed its 2025 run record at its first board meeting of 2026. Dr. Mark L. Brown made his first appearance as the district’s new medical director, succeeding Dr. Matt Brandt. Brown works as emergency medical director for Freeman Hospital in Joplin and Fort Scott, Kan., and the METS ambulance service in Joplin. Brown made a presentation to the board about a new intubation tool, part of a video laryngoscope.
fourstateshomepage.com
Ozarks Community Hospital opens new clinic in downtown Carthage
CARTHAGE, Mo. — A local community clinic is making it easier for Carthage residents to access health care. Ozarks Community Hospital (OCH) held a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday morning for their new Jasper County Clinic location in downtown Carthage. The clinic is one of several OCH rural health clinics...