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Pictured front row left to right: Dawn Harris, ER tech; Tina Gaddis, ER tech; Candace Mize, RN, MSN, FNP-C, Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator; Rachel Spencer, RN; Elizabeth Kuster, RN, BSN; Back Row left to right: Carol Turner, Emergency Room Director; Abby Sullins, LPN, RN student; Danielle Lee, EMSC State Partnership Program Manager; Brian Grantham, MD, emergency room physician; Bill Bridges, CEO; Chris Weaver, RN.
Texas County Memorial Hospital is proud to announce that its emergency department has earned recognition for excellence in pediatric emergency care.
The Missouri Pediatric Emergency Excellence in Care (PEEC) program, led by Missouri Emergency Medical Services for Children (MO EMSC), recognizes hospitals committed to providing safe, high-quality emergency care for children. Hospitals participating in PEEC assess pediatric readiness, designate Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators (PECCs), ensure appropriate pediatric equipment and medications, and implement child-focused policies, training, and quality improvement initiatives. This program helps ensure that every hospital, especially those in rural communities has the resources, systems, and trained staff needed to care for children during emergencies.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team. Every staff member is committed to making sure children in our care receive prompt, skilled, and compassionate treatment during emergencies. It also allows us to continue providing excellent pediatric care for years to come,” Candace Mize, RN, MSN, FNP-C, and Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator in the emergency department, said, “I have always been passionate about the pediatric population and now that I am a parent, it drives my passion even more. I want the community to be able to be confident that their child is going to receive the best care at our hospital and that our team is well prepared for any situation that walks through the door. I know our team would provide excellent care to my children, and I hope the community continues to trust us with theirs. We thank EMSC for assisting TCMH with growth in education and preparedness for our pediatric population.”
Recognition as a pediatric-ready emergency department strengthens local care for infants, children, and adolescents. Families can trust that, in an emergency, the TCMH care team is equipped with the right tools, training, and protocols to respond quickly and effectively. Programs like PEEC help reduce treatment delays, improve patient outcomes, and support coordination with EMS and pediatric specialty centers ensuring children in rural Missouri receive the highest standard of emergency care, now and in the future.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to receive this pediatric excellence recognition from the EMSC,” Carol Turner, TCMH Emergency Room Director, said. “It validates the hard work of our team and strengthens our ability to provide excellent care for children in urgent situations. I am proud of Candace for her dedication and efforts in making this achievement possible for our hospital as her hard work and leadership were instrumental in earning this recognition.”
The TCMH emergency room is always available for our patients day or night. With this certification, families can have confidence that when their tiniest patients need urgent care, the trained TCMH team is prepared, equipped, and ready to provide the best possible emergency care close to home.
Bill Bridges, TCMH chief executive officer, added, “We are proud that our hospital meets these rigorous pediatric standards. This recognition underscores our commitment to providing the highest level of care for all members of our community, especially our youngest patients, and ensures we can continue offering excellent pediatric emergency services close to home.”