Bird named medical director at Serenity

Dr. Jonathon Bird has been appointed medical director at Serenity HospiceCare.

Dr. Bird is no stranger to end-of-life care as he joined Serenity HospiceCare as assistant medical director in May 2013 and began his new role as director on May 1. Dr. Bird steps into his newest position with not only a wealth of medical knowledge and expertise, but he also has a heart for helping others that is unmatched. He is board certified in Family Medicine, graduating from the University of Missouri in 1983. He completed his residency in Family Practice at the Baptist Medical Center in Kansas City and is a Diplomate and Fellow in the AAFP.

Currently, Dr. Bird works at the Bloomsdale Medical Centre, a sister partner of Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital. His background is in Family Practice and Emergency Medicine, serving local hospitals such as Parkland, Iron and Madison County, but his span reaches globally as well serving as Mission Hospital Physician at Tumu Tumu Hospital in Karatina, Kenya. His directorship experience ranges from chief of Medical Staff at Parkland Hospital, corporate and regional medical director in Emergency Medicine, and facility director at numerous locations.

He serves on the St. Francois County Board for the Developmentally Disabled and frequently offers humanitarian and spiritual assistance to areas in Africa and Central America such as: Kenya, Uganda, Darfur, Sudan, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Indonesia, Haiti, and even local areas such as Joplin, Missouri. Dr. Bird is the AMA Physician Recognition Award Recipient for Continuing Medical Education for the past 20 years.

“We are absolutely thrilled to work alongside Dr. Bird in this more prominent role,” said Shelley Layton, executive director at Serenity HospiceCare. “His reputation in our community and his obvious commitment to God are above reproach. Serenity staff, our patients and their families are truly blessed by his presence.”

Dr. Bird voiced his acceptance of the position by saying, “No greater trust can be placed in a physician by another human being than at the beginning and the end of this earthly life. I have had the honor of being that trustee in both situations on several continents and many settings. It is my privilege to serve along with Serenity in this capacity.”

Dr. Bird