Cedar County Memorial Hospital

03/25/2026

Entering his fourth week on the job, CCMH Chief Executive Officer Don Carpenter is hard at work, getting to know his staff and the people of Cedar County, and charting a path forward for Cedar County Memorial Hospital. Listen in to this interview with Thomas English of KNEM/KNMO 97.5FM as Don shares about his leadership experience, current priorities, and immediate goals for CCMH.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/692396/episodes/18868388

03/24/2026

Are you a CCMH Insider? Subscribe to our newsletter, 𝑷𝒖𝒍𝒔𝒆 & 𝑷𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 for special content and updates directly to your inbox. You'll get information like the Mental Health Moment, from the Desk of Abby Chilton, LCSW. Abby is the therapist at CCMH Senior Life Solutions where she works with program participants to overcome mental health challenges. Below is her March article:

Spring is often associated with renewal, sunshine, and improved mood. Most people assume that when spring arrives, mood automatically improves. 𝗜𝗳 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲.

Mental health research tells a more complicated story. Public health data and multiple studies (John Hopkins Medicine, Journal of Affective Disorders, CDC) have found that 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿, despite the common belief that winter is the highest-risk season. Because of this, spring can be an important time to check in with yourself & others who have struggled with depression during the winter months.

It is also common in the early spring for energy to improve before mood does. That can mean someone may start to feel more physically energized while still struggling emotionally. A gentle question to ask might be: “𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆?” You can ask yourself this question, too. Paying attention to mood shifts that come with seasonal changes can help you respond to yourself and others with greater understanding, and reach out for support if you need it.

View the entire March newsletter here: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-latest-news-for-you-Friend.html?soid=1142287964716&aid=bXJv1-Jcr1s

03/23/2026

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 - 𝗖𝗖𝗠𝗛 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆
The Cedar County Memorial Hospital Board heard positive news during the financial report at Wednesday’s regular Board of Trustees meeting. Expenses were down and revenue was up in February compared to the same month in 2025, resulting in a slight net profit for the month.
Read more on our website:
https://www.cedarcomem.com/getpage.php?name=News-260323-March-Board-Meeting

03/20/2026

Meet Dr. Russell Kemm. He provides gastroenterology services at Cedar County Memorial Hospital. Dr. Kemm has more than 40 years experience in family practice and manages his own private practice in Nevada, MO.

Dr. Kemm performs upper (EGD) and lower (colonoscopy) endoscopic procedures to diagnose and screen for disorders of the digestive system.

Common conditions treated:
• GERD & Acid Reflux
• Crohn's Disease
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Liver Disease

Clinics are held weekly, alternating Mondays and Fridays. Dr. Kemm is accepting new patients and no referral is needed. To schedule, call the Cedar County Memorial Specialty Clinic at 417-876-3613.

03/18/2026

National Doctors’ Day is almost here. Let’s make sure our physicians know how much they matter to Cedar County.

We are collecting messages of gratitude starting TODAY. Visit our website link to send a simple note or a favorite story about your doctor. We will put them in personal cards to be hand-delivered to the physician of your choice on March 30th.

Don't wait—say thanks now! https://ptserver.fasthealth.com/web_ccmhosp_mo/forms/?formID=11586

03/16/2026

For those suffering from lingering long-COVID symptoms, Cedar County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) is offering hope through specialized pain management procedures that are helping patients recover their sense of smell and taste while relieving chronic symptoms that have persisted for months or even years after their initial infection.

Wallace Ralston, a certified registered nurse anesthetist and family nurse practitioner who is board-certified in pain management, shared about this innovative approach to treating post-COVID symptoms. Ralston has successfully treated approximately 50 patients with remarkable results. "Out of the several dozen procedures I've performed, I've only had one patient with no response, and I've had no complications," Ralston reports.

Read more on our website: https://www.cedarcomem.com/getpage.php?name=News20260312_Pain_Clinic_Offers_Long-COVID_Relief

03/16/2026

FRIENDS-FAMILY-NEIGHBORS

NOTICE OF CCMH BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 @ 5:30 P.M.

Dining Room of Cedar County Memorial Hospital
1401 S. Park St.
El Dorado Springs, MO 64744

03/13/2026

Employee Spotlight: ✨ Sabrina Black, CCMA at Cedar County Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic ✨

Celebrating Sabrina Black, a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) at CCMH. This month marks her 3-year anniversary with us! Sabrina started in registration, advanced to Unit Secretary/MA, and recently earned her CCMA, now working alongside Dr. Zuehlke, Brooke McPeak FNP-C, Dr. Pierson, and Dr. John in the specialty clinic.

Sabrina's passion shines through her favorite part of the job: "helping the patients. A lot of time it is the small victories that mean the most."

Sabrina is always ready to jump in and help wherever she's needed. She even helps keep the Specialty Department beautifully decorated for all the holidays! Beyond her professional achievements, Sabrina is a busy sports mom who also channels her creativity into making custom shirts, cups, pens, and Valentine boxes on the side.

She consistently stays updated on insurance changes and prior authorization recommendations, ensuring both our patients and providers receive the best possible support.

Thank you, Sabrina, for your unwavering commitment and contributions!

03/13/2026

This will be a good time, and a great cause!

Come this Sunday, March 15, 2026, and enjoy good food, good company, great entertainment, and support the Senior Center with your donation. Every contribution helps the center continue serving our community.

03/12/2026

Behind every patient story is a nurse who stayed late, a housekeeper who ensured a safe space to heal, a therapist who encouraged one more step, a technician who caught something critical, a leader who removed barriers so care could happen.

Missouri’s hospitals are filled with individuals and teams whose compassion and commitment shape the health of our communities every single day.

Now is the time to recognize them!

The Missouri Hospital Association’s Champions of Care program recognizes extraordinary caregivers and staff members who exemplify compassion, teamwork, and excellence in health care.

Nominate an individual or team and share your story here: https://www.mohospitals.org/about/members/mha-awards/champions-of-care/champions-of-care-submission/

03/11/2026

Dr. Hockman has made the decision to retire from Cedar County Memorial Hospital. His retirement marks the conclusion of a decade of dedicated service to our organization and community.

We extend our gratitude to Dr. Hockman for his commitment to patient care and the many contributions he has made during his time at CCMH. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

Please join us in thanking Dr. Hockman for his years of service and in wishing him well as he begins this new chapter.