Health center celebrates expansion

A ribbon cutting ceremony on June 22 officially marked the opening of a 3,000-squard-foot addition to the New Madrid County Health Department building in New Madrid. Front row from left are: Christina McWaters with the New Madrid Chamber of Commerce; Doyle Hicks, former chairman of the Health Department Board; Jayne Dees, former Health Department administrator; and Christi Pipkin, current Health Department administrator. Also attending were board members: Larry Wiggs, chairman of the Board; Richard Phillips vice chairman; Terri Adams, Tonya Vannasdall and Dallas Snider; along with the staff of the Health Department and other community leaders. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

NEW MADRID, Mo. - An expansion at the New Madrid County Health Department will provide even more services for the public.

On June 22, a ribbon was cut to officially open the 3,000-square-foot addition to the Health Department building at 506 Highway 61 in New Madrid. The ceremony was also an opportunity to honor those who were instrumental in initiating the expansion — Doyle Hicks, who served as Health Center Board chairman from 1969 to 2022, and Jayne Dees, who was the Health Center director from 2008 to 2022 — and celebrate with current Board Chairman Larry Wiggs and Director Christi Pipkin.

According to Pipkin the ceremony and following open house was a wonderful success. Joining the Health Center staff for the afternoon were board members, local officials, community partners and area residents.

New Madrid County Health Center Director Christi Pipkin, right, speaks with Lisa Heuring, left, physician and healthworks specialist with Southeast Health, and Towina Jones, community health worker with the Health Department following the ribbon cutting.

The expansion includes a conference room capable of seating 40 to 50 people.

“The conference room will be available to any public entity or business that needs a meeting room,” Pipkin said. “We already have two groups booked in July and August to use the room. Anyone that would like to use it just needs to call in advance so the staff can add them to the calendar.”

The back of the addition is designed as a drive-thru.

Belinda Nelson with SEMO Health checks out one of the scrapbooks filled with the history of the New Madrid County Health Department which was on display in the new meeting room. Following the ribbon cutting for the expansion, an open house was conducted.

Here, Pipkin explained, they will be able provide flu shots or any other kind of testing while the public remains in their cars. The area also includes a nurse’s station so paperwork can be completed as the patients are served.

In addition the expansion provides restroom facilities and an emergency response area complete with shower as well as a room with a washer and dryer.