St. Luke's Hospital in Chesterfield Archives

Governor Parson says Vizient partnership is expanding Missouri’s hospital capacity

January 4, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor says the state’s partnership with Vizient continues to provide relief for six hospitals across the state.

A Missouri National Guard member briefs Governor Mike Parson at a COVID-19 testing site in mid-Missouri’s Fulton on November 17, 2020 (file photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

Governor Mike Parson tells Capitol reporters that the hospitals are SSM Health in Jefferson City and St. Louis, St. Louis’ BJC Healthcare, CoxHealth in Springfield, St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, MOSAIC Life Care in St. Joseph and Hannibal Regional Healthcare System.

“I also will note that those original six have continued to ask for support (additional staff) for that purpose,” Parson says.

During a year-end press conference on Wednesday in Jefferson City, the governor credited the partnership with Vizient for expanding the health care system’s capacity.

“We now have 196 contracted staff, including 33 respiratory therapists, 75 certified nurses aides, and 88 nurses with various specialties,” says Parson.

The governor says an additional 24 health care employees reported to work at assigned hospitals last Monday. The 12-week partnership is continuing into 2021.

Governor Parson also says that more than 66,000 frontline health care workers and nursing home residents and staff have received the initial COVID vaccine. State Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams says 314,000 COVID vaccines were shipped to Missouri in December.

Governor Parson says everything has gone according to Missouri’s 111-page vaccine plan

December 17, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor announced on Wednesday in Jefferson City that about 1,000 frontline health care workers have already received COVID-19 vaccines.

The COVID-19 vaccine arrived at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City on December 15, 2020 (photo courtesy of Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s Flickr page)

During a Statehouse press conference, Governor Mike Parson told Capitol reporters that Missouri’s 21 initial vaccination sites have received almost all 51,675 doses of the first Pfizer vaccine shipment. He says everything has gone according to the state’s 111-page vaccine plan.

“Hospitals across the state have expressed how thankful they are that a vaccine is here and see these first shipments as hope for the future,” Parson says.

Parson says pending approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Missouri could receive its first shipment of 105,300 doses of the Moderna vaccine next week.

The governor emphasizes that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are scientifically proven to be safe and effective, and that both vaccines have shown a 95 percent effectiveness rate.

During the press conference, Governor Parson also discussed efforts to increase the health care system’s capacity. He credits the partnership with Vizient for expanding the state’s health care system capacity.

Parson says six Missouri health care systems are now participating in the 12-week partnership: SSM Health in St. Louis and Jefferson City, St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, MOSAIC Life Care in St. Joseph, Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, St. Louis’ BJC Healthcare and CoxHealth in Springfield.

“The first group of staff is scheduled to begin on Monday and another 42 staff members will be coming soon,” says Parson.

The governor says 117 health care workers have been contracted, at this time. That includes 50 respiratory therapists, 20 intensive care unit registered nurses and 18 medical-surgical registered nurses.

Governor Parson also addressed education during the briefing, announcing an additional $10 million for the A-plus scholarship program. That includes $5 million in CARES Act funding.

“We are excited to be able to provide this additional funding and help community college continue to provide the full A-plus scholarships for all students,” Parson says.

He notes that community colleges are facing a shortfall of funding for the program, and that the COVID pandemic has caused more students to utilize the program than originally anticipated.

State Technical College of Missouri President Shawn Strong praises the news, tweeting to Missourinet on Wednesday that 800 students at his school in mid-Missouri’s Linn will appreciate this development next semester.

The A-plus program provides scholarship funds to eligible graduates of A-plus designated high schools who attend a participating public community college or vocational/technical school, or certain two-year vocational and technical schools.