Posts by Madison Loethen

Boone Hospital Center has had a partnership with Columbia Public Schools for almost 40 years. Becoming one of the first partners in the district, Boone Hospital joined Jefferson Junior High School (JJHS) in 1984 as their sole Partner in Education. Partners in Education allows schools and businesses in the community to work together and share…

When days grow shorter and the temperature drops, it’s not uncommon to experience a dip in motivation during the cold winter months. The desire to stay cozy indoors can often override our enthusiasm for pursuing our goals and maintaining a productive lifestyle; however, with the right mindset and a few strategic tips, you can beat…

Laura Hutton woke up before work one early February morning and knew something was wrong. Terrible pain was coming from her neck and shooting pain was going down her arm. “I knew something was very wrong, but I decided to try to go to work anyway. The pain had started the evening before when I…

The advancement of robotic assisted surgery has changed the game for many surgeons and patients. Robotic surgery has been around since 2001. The surgeries performed are minimally invasive which means minimal trauma for the patient. Incisions are smaller, blood loss is less, and pain and recovery times are shorter. Boone Hospital Center added its first…

Julie A. Brown BSN, RN, CAPA, CPAN is known for being a fabulous nurse by her patients and her coworkers. “I’ve been doing this a long time, and I take the ‘mom approach’ I think,” says Julie, “If a patient or a coworker needs a hug, I give them a hug. If they need a…

It was a sunny day in September 2022. The weather in Macon, Mo. had consistently been in the 80s and Roger Cathey was outside soaking up the sun. Not one to sit around, Roger loves being outdoors, whether he’s mowing, fishing, gardening or planting his wife Pat’s flowers. As Roger was mowing, he got his…

What is A1C and should you get tested? What has your blood sugar been up to lately? If you’re at risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, or if you’re managing diabetes, an A1C test can answer that question. The A1C test—also known as the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test—is a simple blood test that…

A team effort in recovery from COVID. It was December 2022 when Donna Becker tested positive for COVID-19. At a time when many look forward to Christmas lights and gingerbread cookies, Donna was dealing with symptoms from COVID. Around 4 days after she recovered from her COVID symptoms, Donna developed polymyositis – an uncommon inflammatory…

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is the most common lower respiratory tract infection in infants under age 1. A pediatrician explains what RSV is, its symptoms, treatments, and prevention. The fall season brings crisp mornings and colorful leaves, but it also marks the beginning of what we call “sick season: for children.” Respiratory Syncytial Virus,…

Rheumatology, Boone Health Rheumatology I grew up in Farrell, Pennsylvania – a steel town 70 miles north of Pittsburgh. My undergraduate degree in biology is from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa. and I attended medical school at Hahnemann University (now Drexel) in Philadelphia. I am married to John McMurtry, MD, a retired urologist, and…