Important Nutrients for Women

with Kristen Howard, Boone Health Clinical Dietician  There are several key vitamins and minerals that are important for women across their lifespans. Some are familiar and some are less familiar. They include calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, iron and choline.  Calcium Calcium is pretty well known, but a lot of us aren’t getting enough calcium if…

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Aging in Place with a Home Safety Checklist

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is a wonderful resource for information on aging as one grows older. The site includes information on healthy aging, health information for the aging person as well as resources for aging in place and a home safety checklist.   According to the NIA, as people get older, keeping things the…

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Closures Due To Weather

Due to the inclement weather impacting mid-Missouri on Monday, Dec. 1, the following clinics and laboratories are closing early or have closed today. CLINICS Convenient Care (601 Business Loop in Columbia) — will close at 5PM Nifong Primary Care — Closed Nifong Imaging (MRI, X-ray, etc.) — Closed Nifong Therapy — Closed LABORATORIES (for blood…

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Thanksgiving 2025 Holiday Closures

Accounts Payable Closed Thanksgiving & Fri., Nov.28 Administration Closed Thanksgiving & Fri., Nov. 28(on-call for emergency procedures; page AOC through switchboard) BMG – Ashland Wed., Nov. 26: Closing at 3 p.m.(page provider on-call) Closed Thanksgiving & Fri., Nov. 28 BMG – Boonville Wed., Nov 26: Closing at 12 p.m.(page provider on-call) Closed Thanksgiving & Fri.,…

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August DAISY Award Honoree – Alyssa Smothers, RN

Alyssa has worked at Boone Health for a little over 4 years now on our Labor and Delivery unit. What she loves most about being a labor and delivery nurse is the privilege of walking alongside families during one of the most meaningful moments of their lives. "It’s incredibly rewarding to support and empower patients in such a vulnerable and transformative time," Alyssa said. She values the unique combination of technical expertise and compassionate care her role requires, and she's constantly inspired by the strength and resilience she witnesses in her patients. "Every birth is different, and I love the challenge, the teamwork, and ultimately the joy of helping welcome new life into the world." When she's not at work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, trying new recipes at home, or exploring tasty food at fun restaurants. “We recently had a post-op complication from a C-section. Alyssa followed her gut and knew something was not right with the patient. She sought out additional help from nurses and the OB provider. It was determined that the patient was bleeding internally and needed to be rushed to the Operating Room (OR). Alyssa sprang into action and stayed with her patient the whole time, continuously reassuring the patient and her husband. She initiated the massive transfusion protocol and helped every step of the way in the OR. Alyssa made multiple runs to the blood bank and stayed well past her shift to ensure the patient was stable and reunited with her husband. That patient is still with us today because Alyssa knew something wasn't right and followed her gut." - Nomination submitted by Lori Bietsch.

Alyssa has worked at Boone Health for a little over 4 years now on our Labor and Delivery unit. What she loves most about being a labor and delivery nurse is the privilege of walking alongside families during one of the most meaningful moments of their lives. “It’s incredibly rewarding to support and empower patients…

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October DAISY Award Honoree: Valerie Priest, RN

Valerie Priest, RN

Please join us in congratulating Valerie Priest, RN, in the Pre-Anesthesia Surgical Services (PASS) department on being recognized with October’s DAISY Award! “I had shoulder pain that was affecting every aspect of my life, but most importantly my sleep. For about half a year I tried every possible option, including physical therapy, steroid injections, creams,…

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Jessica Kern, BSN, RN, CEN

Emergency Department, Staff Nurse 4-P Jessica Kern has been a cornerstone of the Boone Health Emergency Department since 2014, bringing nearly 11 years of dedication, expertise, and heart to her role. With a total of 13 years in emergency nursing, Jessica began her career at Audrain Medical Center before joining Boone Health, where she’s remained…

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Boone Health has lowest readmission rates in Missouri

The key statistic measures the percentage of people readmitted to a hospital within 30 days; Boone Health tied with Mosaic Medical Center in Maryville for the lowest rate in the state. COLUMBIA, Mo. – Returning to a hospital after either an in-patient or out-patient procedure increases the risk of infection, not to mention that it…

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Boone Health increasing primary care capacity to address dire need

The award-winning organization has hired 8 new doctors, each of which can see 1,800 patients, with more coming by the end of 2025. COLUMBIA, Mo. – Throughout the country, health care continues to experience shortages of providers in key areas, especially primary care. Here in mid-Missouri, Boone Health has been diligently working to address those…

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