Mary Farrenkopf’s Story
More Than a Hospital — A Life-Saving Station
For Mary Farrenkopf and her family, Pershing Health System has been a trusted source of care for generations — from the births of her three children to emergency, cardiac and diagnostic services.
Over the years, Mary and her family have relied on Pershing Memorial Hospital during some of life’s most critical moments, including serious injuries, cardiac emergencies and everyday healthcare needs.
Reflecting on her experiences, Mary shared:
“My family and I have always received good treatment. The doctors and nurses are always kind and professional.”
Mary especially appreciates having emergency medical care available close to home. She recalls a frightening experience when her young son began having convulsions due to a high fever.
“I drove him right to the hospital. I wouldn’t have been able to drive him to the hospital if the hospital wasn’t here.”
From emergency care to mammograms, endoscopies, colonoscopies and diagnostic imaging, Pershing Health System has continued to play an important role in her family’s healthcare.
But it’s the hospital’s ability to respond when every moment matters that Mary values most.
“Some people refer to Pershing Memorial Hospital as a ‘Band-aid Station.’ I tell them, ‘No! It’s a Life-Saving Station!’ My husband, son and I are alive because of our local hospital.”
Mary sums up her appreciation for the hospital and its staff simply:
“We’re so fortunate to have this hospital in our community.” — Mary Farrenkopf
Jeanna Tharp’s Story
“He saved my foot.” — A patient’s story of healing, hope, and specialized care at the Pershing Health System Outpatient Foot Clinic.
When Jeanna Tharp developed a sore on her foot in early 2024, she never imagined how serious it could become. Living with diabetes, she knew foot health was important, but even after a week-long stay in the hospital in Kirksville, the ulcer was only getting worse.
“I thought I was going to lose my foot,” Jeanna said. “I had been in the hospital for a week and there was just no improvement. I was scared, frustrated, and honestly starting to lose hope.”
That’s when a family member stepped in. Jeanna’s niece, Katie, works in the Outpatient Clinic at Pershing Health System and recommended she see a visiting foot specialist—Dr. Erich Eriksen, DPM, a podiatric medicine specialist and podiatric surgeon.
“Katie told me about Dr. Eriksen and how he had helped other people (including some of my family members) with foot issues. At that point, I was willing to try anything,” Jeanna said.
Jeanna had her first appointment with Dr. Eriksen in March of 2024. From the very beginning, she was impressed by his thoroughness and compassion. “He really took the time to explain what was happening with my foot and what we were going to do about it,” she said.
Dr. Eriksen began treating Jeanna’s wound by carefully debriding and offloading it. Then, he introduced her to an innovative option that offered new hope—a placental tissue graft, a treatment used to promote healing in chronic wounds.
“He told me about using placental tissue as a graft to help cover the wound and stimulate healing,” Jeanna recalled. “It sounded a little strange at first, but he explained it all so clearly, and I trusted him. We went ahead with it.”
The results were more than Jeanna could have hoped for.
“Today, you can barely see where the wound even was,” she said with a smile. “Dr. Eriksen saved my foot. I truly believe that.”
Jeanna now encourages anyone facing foot issues—whether it’s related to diabetes, injury, or chronic pain—to consider making an appointment at Pershing Health System’s Outpatient Foot Clinic.
“Don’t wait until it gets worse. Go see Dr. Eriksen. He knows what he’s doing, and he truly cares about his patients.”
Thanks to expert care close to home, Jeanna is back on her feet— literally—and grateful every step of the way.
Ask your provider about a referral to Pershing Health System’s Outpatient Clinic. Call 660-258-1183 to see either Dr. Erich Eriksen or Dr. Eric James.
Kevin DeVoy’s Story
Journey to Recovery: Finding Strength Close to Home
After undergoing open-heart surgery in Kansas City, Kevin DeVoy faced unexpected complications, including atrial fibrillation (Afib), influenza and double pneumonia. What began as a routine recovery became a four-week hospital stay, leaving him weak and unable to walk independently.
Kevin wanted to return to Brookfield, but he wasn’t quite ready to go home. That’s when he and his family turned to the Pershing Health System Swing Bed program for continued recovery and rehabilitation.
Closer to Home, Closer to Healing
“Going to the PHS Swing Bed program was going to be easier on everyone, including my wife, Brenda,” Kevin explained.
Being back in Brookfield meant Brenda could stay at home while visiting throughout the day, and friends and family could stop by regularly.
From the moment he arrived, Kevin felt welcomed. The care team worked with him to address his nutritional needs, rebuild his strength and develop a personalized plan for returning home.
“The quality of care was so wonderful! The Pershing hospitalist reviewed my records, answered my questions, and helped set goals for me to work toward returning home. I had a lot of work to do, but with the respiratory, occupational, and physical therapy teams working with me every day, I was able to go home much quicker.”
Regaining Strength and Independence
When Kevin first arrived, even simple daily activities were exhausting.
“After a few short weeks in our intensive therapy program, Kevin showed amazing progress,” said Kate Gaudet, OT. “He was discharged home able to care for himself again. He had regained strength, endurance, and most importantly—confidence.”
For Kevin, the compassionate care was just as important as the therapy.
“The nurses were outstanding. They really listened and responded,” he recalled. “What made my stay really special was that I recognized so many faces. They treated me like a friend.”
More Than Recovery — A Homecoming
Kevin credits the entire PHS team for helping him regain his independence and return home.
“Overall, I couldn’t have been happier with my experience in the swing bed program at PHS,” Kevin said. “I felt like I was in the hands of family. From housekeeping to the nursing staff—every department cared for me.”
For Kevin, recovering close to home meant more than convenience. It meant being surrounded by familiar faces, compassionate caregivers and the community he loves.
Sherry Techau’s Story
Shoulder Recovery Journey
After undergoing shoulder replacement surgery, Sherry Techau began physical therapy at Pershing Health System in March with a goal to regain her strength and mobility. At the start of her therapy, Sherry’s range of motion (ROM) was only at 50%. Since then, she’s been diligently attending physical therapy sessions twice a week at PHS, paired with a personalized at-home exercise program created by the Physical Therapy team.
Sherry has been working closely with Physical Therapist Mitchell Ayers, who shared, “As of mid-June, Sherry is at 100% of the expected ROM for having a shoulder replaced. Although her ROM is better, Sherry is determined to build her strength. She is an avid bowler, so she is very motivated to regain her strength so she can bowl again.”
Her connection with PHS goes back even further. Sherry previously sought care for a frozen shoulder and was impressed by the compassion and expertise of the team. When it came time to choose where to go for post-surgical rehab, the decision was easy.
“I didn’t hesitate—I knew I wanted to come back to PHS,” said Sherry. “I had a great experience before, and I trust the Physical Therapy staff here to help me get back to doing what I love—bowling.”
With her sights set on returning to the lanes, Sherry’s determination, combined with expert care from the PHS Physical Therapy team, is paving the way to a successful recovery.
JoAnn Bunten’s Story
More Than a Patient — Treated Like Family
JoAnn Bunten shares her experience with the compassionate, personalized care she received at Pershing Health System.
After undergoing extensive foot surgery at Boone Hospital, JoAnn Bunten experienced another setback when she fell and broke her wrist the day after returning home. She was treated in the Pershing Memorial Hospital Emergency Department and spent the next six weeks recovering through the hospital’s Swing Bed program.
Looking back on her experience, JoAnn shared:
“I honestly could not ask for a better-personalized care experience than what I received during my time at Pershing Memorial Hospital.”
JoAnn praised the attentive Emergency Department staff, Dr. Knowles, Irene Parsonson and the nursing team for their kindness, patience and willingness to answer her questions throughout her recovery.
But it was often the little things that made the biggest difference.
JoAnn recalled being pleasantly surprised by the quality of the meals and the care taken by the dietary staff to ensure she was eating enough to support her recovery. She especially appreciated the handwritten notes the kitchen staff began leaving on her menus.
“The little notes each morning brightened my day.”
She also found comfort in visits from hospital chaplain Joe Smith, who prayed with her and her husband and took time to simply sit and talk.
“His presence was very comforting.”
For JoAnn, the experience reinforced what makes receiving care close to home so special.
“The personal interaction between patients and caregivers at Pershing Health System makes a stay there as pleasant as possible. At Pershing, you’re a human being rather than a medical case.”
JoAnn summed up her experience with a simple but meaningful statement:
“I’m so glad this hospital is part of our community.”— JoAnn Bunten
Marilyn’s Story
Journey From Limited Mobility to Renewed Independence
After a health event left Marilyn unable to move her right leg, she turned to the Pershing Health System Swing Bed program for rehabilitation and recovery.
With personalized therapy, encouragement and around-the-clock skilled nursing care, Marilyn made remarkable progress in just 12 days. She regained her ability to walk with a walker, became more independent and felt stronger each day.
Reflecting on her experience, Marilyn shared:
“It’s a great place if you need therapy. The staff is great, and they really prepare you to go home. When I arrived, I could barely move my right leg. In 12 short days, I’m up walking with a walker, I’m self-sufficient, and feeling much stronger. Everyone—from the nurses to the therapy team—encouraged me every step of the way. They didn’t just treat me like a patient, they treated me like family.” — Marilyn, PHS Swing Bed Patient
Leroy Neal’s Story
Compassionate Emergency Care When It Mattered Most
Just days after returning home from heart surgery in early March, Leroy Neal began experiencing severe pain. On March 21, he was advised to seek care at the Pershing Health System Emergency Department, where the medical team discovered he was retaining 20 pounds of excess fluid.
Dr. Gregory and the Emergency Department team worked for six hours to stabilize Leroy’s condition and address the fluid retention. Once stabilized, he was transported by ambulance to Columbia for further medication management.
Grateful for the prompt attention and compassionate care he received close to home, Leroy shared:
“Dr. Gregory is a super nice guy. I would highly recommend him to anyone! I am very thankful for the Emergency Department at PHS. They were terrific in meeting my needs!” — Leroy Neal, PHS Emergency Department Patient
