Mosaic Medical Center-Maryville is expected to open its comprehensive women’s health clinic by April.
St. Francis Foundation Director of Development Megan Jennings came to the Maryville City Council meeting Feb. 9 to provide updates on the project. She said she has never seen construction go so smoothly, and she’s excited for what this facility can bring to the area.
“We have been very fortunate to really take on some key initiatives that have affected patients regionally and across the state with both maternal health deserts and maternal mortality rates, and we kind of looked at both of those issues and said we’ve got to do something to kind of protect what is ours, to make sure we have the longevity for our community and the women in our community,” Jennings said.
This year’s annual St. Francis Foundation Gala will be held 5 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Mozingo Lake Recreation Park Event Center. The gala has raised money for the clinic during the past few years.
This year’s ambassadors are members of the Henry family, who were recently honored during Northwest’s Feb. 7 basketball doubleheader against Rogers State University.
“This family has battled more than any family ever should have to, and they are faithful, they are courageous, they have been bravely telling their story of their cancer journey and how much care close to home has meant to them,” Jennings said at the doubleheader.
Jennings said this year’s gala will embrace the general concept of womanhood.
“Every woman — every stage, every age — and it’s about really (taking) care of all the women across our community, no matter what life brings them,” Jennings said.
Funds will be raised to bring new 3D mammography technology to the area, and awareness will be brought to overall women’s health programming.
Last winter, Jennings said the St. Francis Foundation helped two pregnant women who were living in their vehicles. She said this is not something she’s used to seeing in this part of the country, but it still happens.
“We were able, as a foundation, to help provide them temporary housing and resources to get them up on their feet and get going, but we know for them to be productive members of society, we want to be able to do more in advance,” Jennings said.
This is why Jennings believes women’s health programming can aid women in these types of situations. She said this can come in the form of doula care, nutritional guidance and mental health support, to name a few examples.
Helping young, single or struggling mothers is another way Jennings said women can be supported.
“That’s what this year’s gala is going to be about,” Jennings said. “That’s what our initiatives are with the rest of this women’s health campaign.”
Other City Council Business:
- Maryville Parks & Recreation Director Jeff Stubblefield announced in October that he would soon retire. Stubblefield announced Feb. 9 that MPR Assistant Director Maggie Rockwood will take his place beginning March 17. Stubblefield said he looks forward to what Rockwood will continue to do with the city.
- Kimley-Horn: Engineering Planning and Design Consultants was hired for $84,085.98 to work on the Munn Avenue trail extension. Once approved by the Missouri Department of Transportation, Maryville Public Works Director Matt Smith said 80% of the cost will be reimbursed through the Transportation Alternatives Program for an amount up to $67,268.78. The remaining $16,817.20 is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Improvement Fund.
- Brooner & Associates Construction, Inc. will provide construction services for the Downtown Pavilion Project. The initial cost for this was $1,365,603, but a change order approved during the meeting reduced the final cost to $1,289,521. Madget Demolition, Inc. was hired for demolition services on the project for $33,000.