St. Francis Hospital & Health Services is happy to announce the addition of William Andel, Board Certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, to its complement of medical professionals at the St. Francis Orthopedic & Sports Medicine clinic.

Andel, originally from St. Louis, received a Bachelor’s of Science in Sports Medicine from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield in 1988.  He continued his education with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in occupational and orthopedic medicine from the University of Missouri at St. Louis in 1999.  In addition to having worked as nurse practitioner in orthopedic settings in St. Louis, Andel has also served as an occupational health nurse, home health nurse, ergonomic consultant and health/fitness specialist.
 
Andel states that he joined the staff at St. Francis to have the opportunity to work with a renowned surgeon like Dr. Tom DiStefano. Dr. DiStefano progressive practice appealed to him.

“Through collaboration with Dr. DiStefano, I am able to expand access of care to patients with acute injuries,” Andel states. “I am in the clinic five days a week and can assess, diagnose and treat most cases that are seen in the office setting. On most weekdays, a patient can call in and make an appointment for the same day.”

Andel will also be working with Dr. DiStefano, Dr. Pat Harr and the St. Francis athletic trainers to provide coverage of the Walk-in Sports Injury Clinic, Monday through Friday from 8 to 9 a.m.

Andel and wife Karen, together with children Haley and William, moved to Maryville from the St. Louis area, and are enjoying the friendly atmosphere, smaller community and strong work ethic that Maryville has to offer.
 
In addition to family, Andel enjoys most anything to do in the outdoors including hunting, fishing, golf and gardening. His grandfather was known as the ‘Peach King’ and in the 1920’s was Farmer of the Year for the state of Missouri.
 
To make an appointment with William Andel, APRN-BC, call St. Francis Orthopedic & Sports Medicine at (660) 562-7999.

Thanks to an $80,000 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, public radio patrons across northwest and north central Missouri who tune into Northwest Missouri State University's KRNW repeater station in Chillicothe will soon receive a stronger, clearer signal.

The grant is helping pay for a new digital transmitter at KRNW, an automated facility that mirrors programming from KXCV, the University's 100,000-watt public radio station located on the Northwest campus in Maryville.

After the new transmitter goes operational in May, both KRNW and KXCV listeners equipped with digital receivers will receive near-CD quality sound. KRNW patrons with traditional analog radios will also get an improved signal and should see an end to interruptions in service caused by aging equipment.

Plans call for the transmitter to be delivered Monday, May 5, with installation to begin immediately. KRNW will go off the air until the process is complete, but KXCV/KRNW General Manager Rodney Harris said the station should resume operations sometime Tuesday, May 6.

"This upgrade will serve public radio listeners in north and north central Missouri with cutting-edge technology designed to improve sound and signal strength," Harris said. "Ultimately our digital capability will also provide listeners with multiple options for receiving their favorite programs."

In the future, digital technology will allow both KXCV and KRNW to air multiple programming streams so that listeners can switch back and forth between simultaneous broadcasts. For the present, however, KXCV/KRNW will continue transmitting a single programming stream via both digital
and analog signals.

Though few people currently own digital receivers, they are being installed in some new-model automobiles and have dropped in price due to increasing consumer demand.

KXCV went digital in August 2006 when a similar CPB grant made it possible to install a digital transmitter and antenna north of Maryville. The latest grant will pay for more than half of the KRNW
upgrade, which has a total estimated cost of $150,000, with the balance coming from the University.

KRNW is located at 88.9 on the FM dial and has a range extending roughly 60 miles in all directions from Chillicothe. KXCV (90.5 FM) and KRNW broadcast jazz, classical music, news, public affairs programs, variety shows and Bearcats sporting events across northern Missouri and southern
Iowa.

For more information about KXCV/KRNW, or to listen online go to www.kxcv.org.

Northwest honored some of its most valued employees on April 17 during the University's Student Employee Recognition Ceremony in the J.W. Jones Student Union. The annual reception for all student workers is hosted annually by the Office of Human Resources.

For the seventh time in ten years the student receiving Northwest Student Employee of the Year honors, Sean Collins of Maryville, also received the state-level award.

Northwest's Student Employment Program, which established the Student Employee of the Year Awards in 1999, is known nationally and internationally for its Student Career Pathing initiative.

Now in its fourth year, the Career Pathing program at Northwest allows student workers to move through a series of stepped job classifications provided they receive satisfactory performance reviews and attend workshops addressing such topics as quality, leadership, workplace safety, ethics, networking and teamwork.

Just as in the post-college workplace, each step up the student-worker job ladder includes a pay increase.

"As an indispensable part of the Northwest family our student employees are essential to the way this University functions," said University President Dean L. Hubbard, who noted that replacing Northwest's 1,100 student workers would require the addition of 250 full-time staff members.

Hubbard also said the Career Pathing program, with its stepped pay increases, makes it possible for students to earn between $7,500 and $10,000 a year to help pay for their education. This is  significant, he said, since the total cost of earning an undergraduate degree at Northwest over four years, exclusive of room and board, is approximately $44,000.

Collins works in the Information Services Department of Northwest's B.D. Owens Library. He was nominated for his "many unique contributions to the library that will tremendously impact workflow and improve upon the time needed to complete tasks."

Among other accomplishments, Collins created a database system to track workflow; designed a Web-based method of organizing feedback about the library's annual Brick and Click conference for academic librarians; and came up with instructional aids that help librarians teach students about academic writing guidelines and electronic search strategies.

Collins has also contributed to the maintenance of the library's 500-page Web site, constructed interactive PDF forms and enhanced library maps with interactive Flash applications.

According to his Student Employee of the Year recommendation, Collins "continuously proves that he pays attention to minute details as he examines each project until every goal has been met. ... His projects are always thorough and creative, and the details are accurate. He has a great disposition and always willingly tackles new projects."

In addition to Student Employee of the Year, the ceremony included awards for Outstanding Student Employee Team and student workers who have demonstrated excellence in the categories of initiative, professionalism, uniqueness of contribution, quality of work and reliability.

The other honorees were:

• Outstanding Team, athletics grounds/landscape crew: Bret Bailey Oregon, Mo.; Ryan Davis, Ravenwood; Drew Engle, Blue Springs;
  James Griswold, Rockbridge, Iowa; Kyle Smith, Perry; Clinton Williams,
  Omaha, Neb.

• Initiative, Hillory Stirler, Mitchellville, Iowa, University
  Outreach.

• Professionalism, Hannah Cole, Rosendale, Talent Development
  Center.

• Uniqueness of Contribution, Shawn Mikelson, Wathena, Kan.,
  Center for Information Technology in Education.

• Quality of Work, Melissa Pickens, Greentop, Early Childhood
  Center (Department of Family and Consumer Sciences).

• Reliability, Jerin Adcock, Carrollton, B.D. Owens Library.

Full-time University staff members Nikki Bucy, auxiliary services specialist in the Office of  Student Affairs, and Gail Hull, membership and promotions coordinator for KXCV/KRNW, the University's public radio station, were named co-Student Employment Supervisors of the Year.

Physicians and nurses at St. Francis Hospital & Health Services can now monitor pregnant women more efficiently with the addition of a new central monitoring system.  The patient-focused obstetrical information system provides a complete clinical record of care for the mother from the first antepartum visit in the hospital to delivery and postpartum.

The new surveillance system, Philips OB TraceVue, can be accessed wherever patient information is needed – from patient bedside, OB central station, to the physician’s home or office. All of the hospital's delivery rooms are hooked up to the system and the four mobile displays can archive data for more than thirty years.

"The central monitoring system gives the nurses and patients an even greater sense of security by allowing a nurse to view all patient charts simultaneously on one monitor, while visiting with a patient," said Kathy Brand, RN, OB nurse manager at St. Francis. "Women feel safer when they know they can be watched continuously, even if a nurse is visiting with another patient."
 
The central monitoring system aids in early detection for problems as the OB nurses are immediately aware of critical events. It notifies nurses and physicians of prolonged contractions and irregular heart beating which can potentially harm the mother and baby.

The system has been hailed not only as a more accurate and user-friendly monitoring system, but also much more efficient and productive. It also helps the hospital comply with confidentiality and security regulations through many built-in features including audit trails that track which patient records were accessed and by whom.

"We are proud to bring this advanced and exciting central monitoring system to our patients," said Brand.  "The addition of the system further demonstrates our promise and dedication to provide patients with state-of-the-art technology and enhanced patient safety.”

Northwest's Department of Art will hold the spring edition of its biannual student Art Club Show and Sale from 4-8 p.m.  Friday, April 25, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Fire Arts Building, which is located immediately to the east of the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building on the south end of campus.

A large group of upper-level art students are expected to participate in spring show, which will offer pottery, paintings, drawings, prints and photographs.

The sale is an excellent opportunity to purchase unique gifts for Mother's Day or high school and college graduations and offers artwork in a wide range of prices and styles.

All two-dimensional works offered for sale will be framed or otherwise ready to hang.

Artworks can be purchased by cash or check, and shoppers are reminded that a line of customers often forms before the show opens.

Most of the money raised at the show goes to students and helps them offset the cost of art supplies. Remaining proceeds support activities by campus arts organizations.

For more information, call the Department of Art at 660.562.1326 (ext. 1326 on campus).

Maryville Parks & Recreation will be conducting a FREE Softball Umpire Clinic for those who are interested in working as an umpire for Maryville Park & Recreation’s adult slow-pitch softball program this summer. 

The clinic will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the Maryville Community Center, 1407 N. Country Club Road.  Basic umpiring mechanics, positioning, and rules of the game will be offered.  All softball umpires will be paid $13.00 per game!

The Northwest chapter of Campus Crusade for Christ will sponsor a 5K run Sunday afternoon, April 27, in Donaldson Park west of the University campus. Money raised from the event will be used to aid the victims of civil war in Uganda.

A documentary about the war and its impact, "Invisible Children: Rough Cut," will be shown at the park at 12:15 p.m. prior to the start of the run.

Cost to participate in the event is $10, which includes a T-shirt, snacks and drinks.

Those wishing to take part can register at the "Invisible Children" table, which will be set up on the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25. Runners may also register at the park on the day of the event.

For more information, e-mail mallorykiersten@gmail.com.

Proceeds from the event will support efforts to aid the people of northern Uganda, who have suffered through a years-long civil war between the government and Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army, a rebel group reported to have made extensive use of child soldiers.

Spring commencement ceremonies at Northwest Missouri State University will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, in Bearcat Arena. This year's commencement speaker is Carl Peterson,
president, general manager and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs professional football team.

Students from the Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth College of Business and Professional Studies and candidates for advanced degrees from the Graduate School will receive their diplomas during the morning ceremony.  The afternoon exercises are for students graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education and Human Services.

Doors to the arena open one hour prior to each ceremony. Degree candidates can pick up their caps and gowns between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 28, through Friday, May 2, at the Student Services Center on the first floor of the Administration Building. Tickets are not required for admission.

Complete details about spring commencement at Northwest are posted on the Senior Spot Web site at www.nwmissouri.edu/seniorspot.

Hired by team founder Lamar Hunt in December 1988, Peterson will soon mark 20 years as the Chiefs' top executive. The driving force behind one of the National Football League's truly historic franchises, he has transformed the Chiefs into a model NFL organization and one of professional sports' most respected organizations.

Under his guidance, the Chiefs have built a fan base virtually unrivaled by any sport in any city. Regarded as having one of the best game-day atmospheres in the NFL, the Chiefs consistently fill the league's third-largest stadium (capacity 79,451) while operating in the league's sixth-smallest market.

Despite his many accomplishments in steering the overall franchise, Peterson's heart remains with the game itself. During the 1990s, few teams could match the level of success exhibited by the Chiefs on the playing field. From 1990-'99, Kansas City posted a stellar 102-58 (.638) record, making it one of just seven teams in NFL history to record 100 or more wins over the course of a single decade. Even more impressive was the fact that Hunt and Peterson became only the fourth owner/general manager tandem to preside over a team for all ten years of a 100-win decade.

One of Peterson's most significant achievements has been the re-establishment of unparalleled fan support, which has led to one of the NFL's most distinct home-field advantages. Dating back to 1990, only Denver can top Kansas City's 104-40 (.722) regular season mark at Arrowhead Stadium. Since 1989, the Chiefs have produced a league-best 16 winning seasons at home, boasting perfect 8-0 marks at Arrowhead during 13-3 campaigns under Peterson in 1995, 1997 and 2003.

Peterson has also excelled in bringing big-time talent to Kansas City and signed off on the trades that landed Hall-of-Fame quarterback Joe Montana in 1993, two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Trent Green in 2001 and 11-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Willie Roaf in 2002. He is responsible for two of the best unrestricted free agent signings in league history, inking Hall-of-Fame running back Marcus Allen in 1993 and running back Priest Holmes in 2001. Notable draft picks during the Peterson era
included the late Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Thomas, tight end Tony Gonzalez, running back Larry Johnson and defensive end Jared Allen.

Peterson began his career as a high school coach, moving to the college ranks at California State-Sonoma in 1969, where he was named head coach the following year. He returned to his alma mater, UCLA, in 1972, serving as the Bruins' receivers coach under Pepper Rodgers and remaining as an assistant under Dick Vermeil, whom he followed to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976.

Inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2005, Peterson grew up in Long Beach, Calif., and attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and UCLA, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in kinesiology and a doctorate in administration in higher education.

St. Francis Rehab & Sports Medicine Department announces the addition of lymphedema management services to its Occupational Therapy program.

All human bodies have fluid within the tissues. This fluid is made up of proteins, red and white blood cells, waste products, and fat. The fluid is transported throughout the body by the lymph system. If the lymph system is damaged, the fluid will begin to accumulate in the body’s soft tissue, which results in swelling (edema). The edema is most commonly found in the arms or legs. This is called lymphedema.

There are two types of lympedema – primary and secondary. Primary lymphedema is caused by an abnormal lymph system that is present at birth. Persons with primary lymphedema usually do not see symptoms until adolescence. Secondary lymphedema occurs following some surgeries, injury, infection, or radiation therapy. The condition can develop immediately after the trauma, or weeks, months, or even years later. It may also occur from obesity or chronic venous insufficiency, or after removal of lymph nodes or disruption of lymphatic pathways.

Other signs and symptoms of lymphedema, besides edema or swelling include aching, weakness, redness, heaviness or tightness within the limb. Usually, there is decreased flexibility with the affected body part and rings can be left on the arm or leg from garments such as socks or shirt-sleeves.
There is no cure for lymphedema.  However, with treatment and self-management lymphedema can be controlled. Persons with lymphedema who do not have it under control, are more susceptible to increased infections and wounds.

Katie Wilcox, occupational therapist, recently completed 130 hours of lymphedema education and training. After passing written and practical exams, Wilcox received her certification in lymphedema therapy.

According to Wilcox, there are five steps to treating lymphedema. “Manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, exercise, skin care, and educating the patient in self care and maintenance are the five parts of the complete decongestive therapy,” explained Wilcox. “The severity of the edema determines the aggression of treatment. After obtaining a physician's referral, patients may receive treatment to reduce the swelling, promote wound healing and prevent infection, soften and improve skin health, and improve the quality of life for the patient.”

Education and self-management at home are key components to effective treatment. “Each patient will be educated on techniques to prevent increased symptoms through proper skin care, exercises, and self-massage, and self-bandaging.  Each treatment program is also developed with patient involvement,” added Wilcox.

Although lymphedema is not curable, it can be controlled. It is important to begin treatment in early stages.  “Because lympedema is a chronic condition,” Wilcox advises, “what starts out to be a mild case can escalate and have serious consequences.”

For more information on lymphedema or lymphedema management services, contact St. Francis Rehab & Sports Medicine Department at 660-562-7908.

Northwest Missouri State University will hold a surplus property sale beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, at the Materials Distribution Center at West 16th and College Park Drive in Maryville.

Sale items will be available for inspection from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, May 5, at the Materials Distribution Center.

The sale is open to the public, including University students and employees.

Items to be sold include but are not limited to: miscellaneous computer equipment, Gateway notebook computers (all in need of repair), office equipment, desks, file cabinets, chairs, study carrels, kitchen equipment, kitchen glassware, cooking grill, steam kettles, industrial range hood, paper shredders, microfiche reader/printer, lab table, film dryer, multidirectional lighting, Lincoln arc welder, grinders, image cameras, VCRs, exercise equipment (large amount), weight equipment
(large amount) and oil drums.

Vehicles to be sold include but are not limited to: 1989 Chevrolet van, 1989 GMC half-ton pickup truck, 1992 GMC half-ton pickup truck, 1990 Ford half-ton pickup truck.

For more information, call Angie Wolters, Northwest Department of Purchasing, 660.562.1178 (ext 1178 on campus), or go to www.nwmissouri.edu/dept/purchasing.

The Tobin Benefit Golf Classic, to be held May 22 and 23, is the single largest fund-raising event for the St. Francis Hospital Foundation. St. Francis Hospital Foundation financially supports St. Francis Hospital & Health Services with capital and operational needs, including charity care funding.

The Tobin Benefit Golf Classic, named after Northwest Missouri natives Vince and Bill Tobin, along with Bill’s son Duke, will be celebrating its 18th anniversary when the tournament begins on May 22nd. The proceeds from this year’s event will go towards the purchase of an orthopedic camera and light source for the surgery department.

With the generous support of Northwest Missouri residents, businesses, golfers, volunteers, and the Tobin family, over $600,000 has been raised since the inception of the Tobin Benefit Golf Classic in 1991. Many pieces of major medical equipment and projects have been funded with money raised from the Benefit:

1991-93 – X-ray machine
1994 – Fetal monitor & incubator
1995 – Birthing beds
1996 – Cardiac Rehab equipment
1997 – Ophthalmic surgical microscope
1998 – Telemetry system
1999 – OB security alarm system & Biodex machine
2000 – ER lighting and building security system
2001 – Mammography machine
2002 – Arthroscopic tower for surgery
2003 – Bone densitometry machine
2004 – Intensive care unit furnishings
2005 – Central monitoring system for Emergency department
2006 – Bacterial identification system for Lab
2007 – Ultrasound machine for the Imaging department

In addition to the golf tournament, community members are invited to attend the tee-off celebration banquet on Thursday, May 22, to meet and recognize the Tobin family for their continued dedication and support. The banquet will be held at Younger Auction Gallery, beginning at 6 p.m. with a cash bar reception followed  by dinner at 6:30 p.m. A silent auction and various raffles will also be held. Tee-off celebration tickets are available for $10 each.

St. Francis Hospital & Health Services together with St. Francis Hospital Foundation are committed to delivering healthcare services and giving back to the communities they serve.

For more information on the Tobin Benefit Golf Classic, to register a team, volunteer, or purchase a tee-off celebration ticket, please call Nikki Crump at 660/562-7933.

High school and junior high school student musicians and vocalists from across the four-state area (Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas) are encouraged to register now for Northwest Missouri State
University's 2008 Music Camp of Excellence.

The high school camp for grades 10-13 (rising sophomores through fall 2008 college freshmen) will take place Monday, June 9, through Saturday, June 14. Registration/payment must be postmarked by Friday, May 30.

The junior high school camp for grades 7-9 (rising seventh graders through rising ninth graders) will take place Monday, June 16, through Saturday, June 21. Registration/payment must be postmarked by Friday, June 6.

Complete camp information, including a printable registration form that can be filled out on-screen, is available at

              www.nwmissouri.edu/dept/music/muscamp

The resident fee for both sessions is $310 per camper. Commuter campers -- those traveling back and forth from their homes -- pay $210.

Resident fees include tuition, room, board and insurance. Commuter fees include tuition, lunches and insurance. On-site registration (check-in) begins at 1 p.m. Monday both weeks in Charles Johnson Theater, which is located in the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building on the Northwest campus across the street from Bearcat Arena.

High school students who were performing members of their 2007-2008 state music educators association all-state or all-district choir, band, orchestra or jazz band receive a discount. Only one discount (the highest dollar amount) will be granted per camper.

All-state members receive a 50-percent reduction in fees. All-district members receive a $30 discount. Students who recruit a first-time music camper receive a $25 discount. Families sending more than one child to camp also receive a $25-per-camper discount.  Call Carl Kling (bands) or
Dr. Brian Lanier (choir s) at 660.562.1315 to verify family discount status.

Resident campers will stay in one of two seven-story residence halls, one for boys and one for girls. Each room houses two campers, and roommate requests will be honored as long as space permits and the request is by mutual agreement as indicated on the camp application.  Students who do not specify a roommate will be housed with a camper who has similar musical interests.

Meals will be served in the food court on the lower level of the J.W. Jones Student Union.

Music camp concerts, which are free and open to the public, take place in Charles Johnson Theater. Show choirs and jazz bands will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, June 13 (high school), and Friday, June 20 (junior high).  Concert bands and concert choirs will perform at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 14 (high school), and Saturday, June 21, (junior high).

Parents and others with questions about the 2008 Northwest Music Camp of Excellence should call camp directors Carl Kling (bands) or Dr. Brian Lanier (choirs) at 660.562.1315, or e-mail music@nwmissouri.edu.  After May 5, call the music camp office directly at 660.562.1952, or e-mail
muscamp@nwmissouri.edu.

Travel expert Doug Lansky (www.douglansky.com) will speak at Northwest at 7 p.m. Monday, April 14, in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom. The free lecture is being sponsored by the Student Activities Council.

The evening will include drawings for an iPod nano video player, a Garmin GPS system, autographed copies of Lansky's travel books and a Eurail pass valued at $1,000.

After "rejecting life as a professional intern" at "Late Night with David Letterman," "Spy Magazine" and "The New Yorker," Lansky spent more than two years working his way around the globe, an experience that included harvesting bananas in Israel, guiding snowmobiles through the alps, selling carpets in Morocco and hitching rides on the occasional yacht.

Forced to return to the United States after an automobile accident in Thailand, Lansky was back on the road a few months later, this time as a nationally syndicated travel writer whose "Vagabond" column reached millions via the "Denver Post," "San Francisco Chronicle" and other major newspapers.

Since then, he has continued his wondering ways while writing travel books, hosting an hour-long documentary for the Discovery Channel and turning up as a frequent guest on National Public Radio's "The Savvy Traveler."

A popular speaker, Lansky has contributed to such magazines as "Esquire" and "National Geographic Adventure" while spending roughly a decade making his way through more than 100 countries.

His presentation at Northwest will include colorful photographs from his many destinations along with tips on acquiring a "travel mindset" and avoiding the pitfalls associated with far away places and roads less traveled.

Survey Looking to Gain Community Health Opinions

Community Solutions for Rural Health has announced the launch of an on-line community health needs assessment.

Survey questions cover the seriousness of various community issues, ranging from the cost of health care to family preparedness for emergencies, and to what extent local services are meeting community needs. Demographic information is also requested to gain perspective on any variances between the types of respondents, including location within the county.
 
The results of the survey will be used to determine funding needs, as well as opportunities to develop services and programs for those seeking healthier lifestyles within Nodaway County.

To complete the survey, go on-line to the St. Francis Hospital & Health Services homepage at www.stfrancismaryville.com and click on the “Community” link. For those who are interested and either do not have access to the internet or prefer to complete the survey by hand, call (660) 562-7933 and a printed copy will be mailed with a postage-paid return envelope.

Community Solutions for Rural Health is a local health initiative that began in 1996.

The purpose of Community Solutions for Rural Health is to continuously promote and build a healthy community through awareness of available resources, education about services, and working together to “fill the gaps” using assessment, public involvement, prevention efforts, communication, and collaboration.

An upcoming exhibit at the Nodaway County Historical Society museum, located at 110 North Walnut in Maryville, will feature a display focusing on the life and career of Professor Emeritus Earle Moss, who served as Northwest Missouri State University's director of bands for 32 years.

Moss' many accomplishments at Northwest included the founding of the University's first student jazz ensemble in 1955. He also taught music theory and directed the instrumental music program.

The museum exhibit, which begins April 16 and runs through May 1, is the second in a series of thee such presentations highlighting the cultural heritage of Nodaway County. Funding for the exhibits was provided through a grant from the Missouri Humanities Council. 

In addition to the Moss display, the exhibit will include artifacts, such as antique instruments, that illustrate the history of band music in Nodaway County, with an emphasis on amateur and professional ensembles that performed in the area from the 1890s through the 1930s.

The display coincides with the Historical Society's annual "Evening of Jazz," which will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at the museum. Performing live during the event will be the Sharp Five Jazz Quintet consisting of Ben Gervais, Matt McGrory , Dan Rasmussen, Chris Oyler and Dr. Mike Steiner, associate professor of history at Northwest.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Rated Top 1% in the Nation by HealthInsight, Based on CMS Data

St. Francis Hospital & Health Services’ focus on quality care to residents of the Northwest Missouri and Southwest Iowa is generated in the hard work and dedication of its physicians and staff. However, according to Billye McCrary, organizational effectiveness director at St. Francis, it is nice to be recognized for that commitment.
 
St. Francis has been ranked as the top hospital in the state of Missouri for treatment of heart attack (AMI), heart failure, pneumonia and surgical infection by HealthInsight (www.healthinsight.org), based on Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data released in December 2007. The hospital scores were also reported to be in the top one percent of all hospitals in country for the nationally standardized and widely accepted care measures to patients in the four clinical areas.

“What this means for our patients is that our physicians and staff are providing services at an exception level,” said Gray Cox, hospital president. “For St. Francis, our primary motivation is and always has been providing the best possible care to our patients.”

Hospitals voluntarily report this data. Each measure is calculated using the number of cases where the recommended care was provided and the total number of eligible cases. The overall success rate for each hospital is determined by adding the results of all measures reported.

HealthInsight, a private, nonprofit Medicare Quality Improvement Organization, computes the hospital rankings using the publicly reported from the CMS Hospital Compare website (www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov). This data set contains hospital-specific performance for over 4,400 hospitals nationwide. Hospital performance is ranked on the overall rate then the ranks are converted to percentiles.

“This publicly-reported data has pushed us even further in our efforts toward quality improvement,” McCrary reported.  “I’m proud to say this accomplishment comes from every level of the organization. Each doctor, nurse or staff member has been empowered, and that is the reason St. Francis has been able to consistently perform among the top hospitals in the country.”

Maryville Parks and Recreation is now accepting registrations for Men’s and Women’s Slow-pitch softball leagues. 

A packet containing information on registration, fees, guidelines, scheduling and league rules is now available at the Maryville Community Center, 1407 N. Country Club Rd, Maryville, MO 64468.  Registration will be conducted from April 7 Through April 18 at the Maryville Community Center.

For more information, please call Maryville Parks & Recreation at 562-2923.

The Army National Guard will be holding an informational briefing for people ages 17 to 28 at the Maryville National Guard Armory.

Current educational and enlistment benefits, plus training for jobs offered by the Guard, that may interest participants will be covered.   Those who attend will have ample time to ask any questions they may have.

The Guard will be serving free pizza to all participants and the first 25 to sign up will be given a prize.

This is a "Won't Want To Miss" event.  For more information CLICK HERE

Rodney D. Harris, Albany, has been named general manager of KXCV/KRNW, the 100,000-watt National Public Radio voice of Northwest Missouri State University.

Harris, who studied broadcasting at Northwest before graduating in 1978, is a veteran commercial radio professional who has long been associated with KAAN AM-FM in Bethany and KMRN-AM and KKWK FM, in Cameron. He begins his new duties April 21.

As general manager, Harris will oversee a professional staff of six and a student staff of between 25 and 30. The station provides news, sports, entertainment an public affairs programming to listeners in northern Missouri, southern Iowa and parts of southeastern Nebraska and northeastern Kansas.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to return to Northwest as general manager of KXCV/KRNW," Harris said. "It has been a dream of mine to be in a position to give back to the University that gave me so much. I'm confident that my successful 30-year career in commercial radio was due in large part to the education and experience I received at Northwest."

After college, Harris joined the Shepherd Group, a Missouri broadcasting company, as an account executive for KAAN. He became the station's general manager in 1987 and assumed GM responsibilities for both the Bethany and Cameron stations in 1999.

KXCV, which operates as a department of Northwest's Office of University Relations, was the first full-power public radio station in Missouri. In 1993, the station expanded its service through KRNW, a repeater station located in Chillicothe.