Monday, February 28, 2005
Contact: Paul Sloca, (573)751-0290
Ditmore Named Interim Director of Medical Services
JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt today named Columbia neurosurgeon Michael Ditmore to the post of interim director of medical services within the Missouri Department of Social Services. Ditmore, 60, begins his new duties immediately.
"Mike Ditmore understands the critical health and social issues that face our state and I am pleased that he has agreed to serve in this critical position," Blunt said. "I look forward to working with Mike on efficiently administering critical social programs to Missourians."
The Department of Social Services works to ensure the health and safety of children, to help parents and caregivers provide nurturing homes and to aid people in need of financial assistance reach their highest level of social and economic self-sufficiency. The Division of Medical Services administers the Missouri Medicaid program, providing medical service to beneficiaries in somewhat the same way insurance companies provide coverage for their policy holders.
A native of Neosho, Ditmore was in private practice as a neurosurgeon in Columbia from 1982 to 2004. Ditmore, who retired from his practice last year, received a bachelor’s of science degree and his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma. From 1970 to 1973, Ditmore was a U.S. Navy flight surgeon based in Pensacola. Fla.