CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - Southeast Hospital announced Wednesday they rank among the top five percent of hospitals in the nation for patient satisfaction for the second consecutive year.

HealthGrades, and independent health care ratings organization, gave the hospital high marks for patient care in its 2011 "Health Care Consumerism and Hospital Quality in America" report issued recently.

“Patients today have a wide array of options when it comes to choosing a health care provider,” said Kerry Hicks, HealthGrades chief executive officer. “We commend Southeast Hospital for its superior quality and support of consumerism and transparency in the southeast Missouri area.”

Southeast Hospital says they have also received the HealthGrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award for four years in a row.

Copyright 2011 KFVS. All rights reserved.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - Kora Jud-Nichols sent us this picture of a flag in Cape Girardeau County Park on September 11.

"I was standing under the flag wishing the breeze would pick up so I could get a picture of the flag unfurled,open, and floating free," said Jud-Nichols. "After waiting a while, the breeze started to open the flag, so I looked up with my camera and happened to capture this beautiful picture!"

The flages were provided by the VFW.

Various Boy Scouts from around the area helped raise all 400 flags.

Copyright 2011 KFVS. All rights reserved.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - Saint Francis Medical Center's Fitness Plus has been awarded the Best of Aquatics recognition by Aquatics International.

The award recognizes the aquatic industry's facilities of all kinds, from public to privately-owned. The contest is open to all aquatics professionals and is judged on programming, promotional materials, aquatic amenities and community involvement.

Thirteen facilities were recognized for 2011 in categories such as waterparks, family aquatic centers, fitness centers and hotels/resorts.

“We received a large number of entries this year and the winners are the best of the best in the categories they represent,” said Gary Thill, Aquatics International editor.

Programs offered at Fitness Plus include the most popular: youth and adult swim lessons.