By Drs. Isabel Warner and Jennifer Bean
On October 16th and 17th the MOST Policy Initiative team visited the Bootheel region of Missouri to meet with partners and legislators in the region.
On Thursday, the team spent the day exploring and learning about the history and current work involved in cotton and rice agriculture. Pemiscot county, where Caruthersville is located, is named from a Native word to describe the fertile soil that supports the active agricultural economy.
Fellows visited the Caruthersville historic water tower, known as The Lighthouse, which was built in 1903 with Gothic style embellishments. Like its nickname, the water tower stands as a single column vertical structure, unlike modern water towers.
That afternoon, Fellows met with partners in the region to discuss the healthcare needs of residents, particularly expectant and new mothers. The conversation was wide ranging, from the reality of doula regulations and their integration into care teams, to the impact of federal budget cuts on the ability of community health workers and nurses to provide at-home visits and build life-saving relationships with patients.
As in many rural areas, the Bootheel struggles with transportation and healthcare access, and attracting and retaining qualified physicians and nurses. One partner described how the age of medical equipment can be a challenge, as doctors trained in other areas are unfamiliar with the older and less accurate equipment available to them in Bootheel medical centers.
But, while there are difficulties, partners remain hopeful. In particular, partners lauded Mississippi County for its coordination between different groups, that meant residents were able to more seamlessly get care services.
After a productive discussion, the team headed to Lambert’s for some famous throwed rolls before calling it a night.
The next day, Fellows visited the local library and met with librarians and partners, enjoying the library’s player piano. They had the opportunity to peruse local history artifacts, including documents from the Daughters of the Revolution and the Daughters of the Confederacy, providing a tangible sense of the area's layered past and community roots.
Afterward, Fellows made a stop to see the Caruthersville sign and the mighty Mississippi.
Finally, the Fellows headed to the Inauguration of Dr. Brad Hodson as the President of Southeast Missouri University in Cape Girardeau. The event was held during the university's "Fearless" Homecoming week, and featured university singers and jazz musicians. In his speech, Dr. Hodson emphasized that a thriving community requires robust and diverse educational opportunities. He championed the indispensable roles of all post-secondary education - technical schools, community colleges, and state universities - as equally important pillars for regional growth and workforce development.