MHA Today | April 18, 2025

Staff Contact: Kara Amann or Keri Barclay

Today, DHSS announced a case of measles in a child in Taney County in southwestern Missouri, associated with recent international travel.

This incident is part of a larger measles outbreak that the United States is experiencing, with confirmed case counts from the CDC more than double the 2024 total. The current hospitalization rate for this outbreak is 12%.

In Missouri, measles is required to be reported within one day to the local health authority or DHSS. Hospitals, clinics and health care facilities are encouraged to review their infectious disease plans and implement the “Identify, Isolate and Inform” practices specific to this disease.

The CDC, DHSS, Missouri State Public Health Lab and the Measles Playbook from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology offer additional information about measles. MHA will soon release additional resources.

Staff Contact: Jean Klindt

MHA released the 2025 Preceptor Academy schedule with exciting news for Missouri hospitals — registration will be complimentary for attendees through a collaboration with the Midwest Clinical Instruction Regional Network. The 2025 class will include access to updated materials, enhanced content and ongoing support.

Preceptors support onboarding and retention by orienting new staff and integrating them into a hospital’s culture. The Preceptor Academy equips current and aspiring preceptors with essential education, tools and strategies to build strong preceptor-orientee relationships. The academy offers interactive, one-day sessions, exploring real-world scenarios for participants to build a practical toolkit and establish a feedback loop.

Continuing education hours will be offered. Share the registration link with members of your team.

Staff Contact: Jill Williams

The Rural Health Lecture Series is a quarterly series focusing on relevant rural health topics and targeted at rural, undergraduate pre-admitted students, current medical students, interprofessional students, primary care residents, and MU School of Medicine faculty and staff.

The next webinar in the series, which will focus on rural residencies and training, is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, April 21. Registration is required.

In this series, attendees hear from experts in rural health care on topics including models addressing behavioral and women’s health in rural areas, rural leadership and community engagement, the impact and management of substance use disorders in rural areas, and the use of telemedicine to expand access to care for rural populations.

Current evaluation data show lecture attendees have an increased interest and intent to practice both primary care and rural medicine. For questions about the series, email Dr. Meghan Myers.

Staff Contact: Becky Boyce

Hirshell Parker has been named the interim CEO of Ste. Genevieve County Hospital, effective Saturday, April 19. Parker currently is serving as the executive director of quality and risk management. He brings more than two decades of expertise in health care operations, risk management and quality assurance to the role. Parker replaces Dr. Steve Pautler, who has held the CEO position since August 2020.