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CMH recertified as a Level II STEMI Center through 2029
Citizens Memorial Hospital has been recertified as a Level II STEMI Center by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, extending its designation through May 20, 2029, after surveyors found the hospital to be in full compliance with state standards for emergency heart attack care. CMH has maintained the designation since first earning it in 2018.
The designation recognizes hospitals that have the personnel, equipment and processes needed to quickly diagnose and treat patients experiencing ST-elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI, the most serious type of heart attack. Rapid treatment is critical because restoring blood flow as quickly as possible helps limit damage to the heart muscle and improves a patient's chance of survival.
"This recertification is a reflection of the great work our team does every day," said Michael Calhoun, CEO and executive director of CMH and Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation. "People in rural Missouri deserve access to excellent emergency heart care without having to travel far from home. This recognition belongs to every person who plays a role in caring for our heart attack patients."
During the on-site review in May, a team of physicians and emergency care specialists evaluated every aspect of CMH's STEMI program, including emergency medical services, emergency care, cardiac catheterization, rehabilitation, quality improvement and community education. The review team recognized the hospital's coordinated approach to care, highlighting rapid treatment times, strong collaboration among departments and ongoing performance improvement efforts.
Approximately 60% of patients treated for STEMI at CMH arrive by ambulance. EMS crews throughout the region transmit electrocardiograms from the field, allowing the emergency department and cardiac catheterization laboratory teams to prepare before the patient reaches the hospital. The survey team noted that this streamlined process contributes to excellent door-to-balloon times by allowing many patients to move directly from the ambulance to the cardiac catheterization laboratory after a brief medical screening in the emergency department.
David J. Lemons, D.O., FSCAI, board certified interventional cardiologist and STEMI medical director at CMH, said the program's success is built on preparation and teamwork.
"Excellent STEMI care doesn't begin when a patient arrives at the hospital," Dr. Lemons said. "It begins the moment someone calls 911. Every step of the patient's journey, from EMS through the emergency department, cardiac catheterization laboratory and recovery, is carefully coordinated so patients receive the right treatment as quickly as possible. That coordination can make a lifesaving difference."
The review also highlighted CMH's commitment to continuous improvement. Every STEMI case is reviewed to evaluate treatment times and patient outcomes, with findings shared across departments to identify opportunities for improvement. Patients continue to receive support after leaving the hospital through follow-up phone calls, cardiac rehabilitation and, when appropriate, home visits by the Mobile Integrated Healthcare team. The Meds-to-Beds program also helps ensure patients leave the hospital with their prescribed medications.
Since its last recertification, CMH has expanded its cardiovascular program to meet the growing needs of the region. The hospital recently opened a new 29-bed Emergency Department as part of its campus expansion and is completing renovations that will increase its cardiac catheterization laboratory from one procedure room to two later this year. The cardiology program has also grown to include three interventional cardiologists, increasing access to advanced heart procedures for patients across southwest Missouri.
"Our cardiovascular program continues to evolve because the needs of our communities continue to grow," Calhoun said. "We're committed to making sure the people we serve have access to advanced heart care when they need it most, without having to travel far from home."
CMH participates in the American College of Cardiology's Chest Pain-MI Registry and has earned the registry's Platinum Performance Achievement Award for three consecutive years, reflecting its ongoing commitment to excellence in heart attack care. The hospital serves approximately 119,000 residents across its eight-county service area and treats about 50 STEMI patients each year.
