Free classes focus on infant massage

Infant massage helps parent and baby bond, builds baby’s coordination, language development and muscle tone, and may provide relief when baby experiences colic, muscle tension and more. It even helps baby sleep, lowers stress hormones and may decrease the “baby blues.”

Why wouldn’t a parent want to learn more?

The Women’s Center at CoxHealth will offer a free series of Infant Massage Classes each Wednesday in August from 4:30 – 6 p.m., in suite 130 of the Turner Center, 1000 E. Primrose. Parents are asked to wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel or blanket large enough for baby.

Class schedule:
Aug. 4 – legs and feet
Aug. 11 – chest and tummy
Aug. 18 – massage for relief of gas and colic
Aug. 25 – arms, face and back.

To register or for more information visit http://bit.ly/9HYQWl or call 269-4130.

Air Care receives renewed accreditation

Cox Air Care was recently notified by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) that the program has been fully accredited for another three years. Air Care has been CAMTS accredited since 2001, and was the first flight program in Springfield to earn accreditation. CAMTS is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality and safety of medical transport services.

“It’s a validation of what we’re doing,” says Susan Crum, program director. She says having their program reviewed by others in the industry is invaluable. “They offer constructive criticism, and look at all aspects of our program, from our quality of care and safety to the education and training of our staff, our dispatch center and even our facilities. They are very thorough.”

Crum says the Air Care staff began the CAMTS reaccreditation process back in the fall, working their way through a 125-page manual of standards. The process identified their strengths and their opportunities for improvement ahead of a site visit by CAMTS reviewers in May. “It’s a fairly intensive process, much like any other accreditation process,” she says.

“We felt that the review process went well, and that there were no outstanding issues to prevent our accreditation,” Crum says. “But we had to wait until the CAMTS board met earlier this month before we received the final accreditation results.”

Tunnel under National to open July 26

The new tunnel road under National Avenue is scheduled to open 6 a.m., Monday, July 26. The new road and underpass are designed to provide easier access to CoxHealth facilities on the east and west sides of National Avenue and smoother, safer traffic flow on National Avenue.

When the tunnel road opens, left turns from National Avenue into Cox South on the west or Bradford Parkway on the east will no longer be permitted. CoxHealth Security staff will be stationed near the tunnel road entrance and on CoxHealth property to guide drivers who may need assistance.

To access Cox facilities, use the following routes:
• From northbound National Avenue to Cox South: Turn right onto Bradford Parkway, then right again onto the Cox tunnel road and follow the road under National Avenue.
• From southbound National Avenue to Cox South: No changes. You will still be able to make a right turn from National Avenue into Cox South.
• From northbound National Avenue to Hulston Cancer Center and Wheeler Heart and Vascular Center: No changes. You will still be able to make a right turn from National Avenue onto Bradford Parkway or you can use Primrose Street to access these facilities.
• From southbound National Avenue to Hulston Cancer Center and Wheeler Heart and Vascular Center: Turn right onto the Cox South campus south of Primrose Street off of National Avenue. Turn left at the stop sign, go through the tunnel and access Bradford Parkway. Or you can use Primrose Street to access these facilities.

The completion of the loop road and tunnel is part of a $9.7 million partnership project involving CoxHealth, MoDOT and the City of Springfield. The project includes rebuilding the interchange at National Avenue and the James River Freeway (Route 60) as a diverging diamond interchange and adding auxiliary lanes on James River Freeway between National and Campbell Avenues.

Diverging diamond interchange now open

The National Avenue and James River Freeway Bridge re-opened this morning in the diverging diamond pattern which takes drivers on the left side of the road. You are still able to make a left turn from northbound National onto the Cox South campus until July 26 when the new CoxHealth tunnel opens.

The bridge will remain closed to pedestrian traffic until July 17.

The new Cox access tunnel under National Avenue opens at 4 a.m. Monday, July 26. No left turns onto the Cox South campus or onto Bradford Parkway from National will be permitted. Remember, to get to the opposite side of National from either direction, you’ll go “right and under.”

Please remember to plan extra time for your trip and be prepared for lane slowdowns as drivers adjust to the new driving pattern and work is completed. Look for signs and pavement markings which will guide you safely through these changes.

Changes at National Avenue and James River Freeway

The new diverging diamond intersection at National Avenue and James River Freeway is almost complete. Here's what you need to know to get to Cox South during the final construction phases, which begin with the temporary closing of the National Avenue bridge on Friday, July 9.

Phase one: National Avenue bridge closed
9 p.m., Friday, July 9 - 4 a.m., Monday, July 12
Reopens on Monday in the new diverging diamond traffic pattern

To access Cox South during the bridge closure:

* From westbound James River Freeway: no changes

* From southbound National Avenue: no changes

* From eastbound James River Freeway: Take the Glenstone Avenue exit, turn left at the light and cross over the freeway. Take James River Freeway westbound. Take National exit and go north.

* From northbound National: Go eastbound on James River Freeway. Take the Glenstone exit, turn left at the light and cross over the freeway. Take James River Freeway westbound. Take National exit and go north.

Access to Primrose Street on the north side of the Cox South campus remains unchanged. Drivers can access Primrose from Campbell, Glenstone or Fremont Avenues as usual.

Phase two: New access tunnel opens
4 a.m., Monday, July 26

Two weeks after the bridge reopens, a new access tunnel under National Avenue will open, allowing access to Cox South from northbound National.

To get to Cox South:

* From northbound National: Turn right onto Bradford Parkway, then right again into the Cox tunnel under National. The new traffic pattern eliminates left turns into the Cox South campus from northbound National.

* From southbound National: no changes

To get to Hulston Cancer Center and Wheeler Heart and Vascular Center:

* From southbound National: Turn right onto the Cox South campus. Turn left at the stop sign to go through the Cox tunnel to Bradford. Drivers may also use Primrose.

No left turns onto the Cox South campus or onto Bradford Parkway from National will be permitted. Remember, to get to the opposite side of National from either direction, you'll go "right and under."

Women's 5K to benefit Fitness Centers Scholarship Fund

Join in the fun at the annual “Girls Just Wanna Run 5K Run/Walk” and help raise money for The CoxHealth Fitness Centers Scholarship Fund. This fund helps provide rehabilitation services and supports programs, education, services, equipment purchases and faculty improvements at The Meyer Center for Wellness and Rehabilitation.

Women and girls of all ages are encouraged to participate. This year’s event will begin at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, July 17, at Phelps Grove Park. Packet pick-up will be held 2-7 p.m., Friday, July 16, at the CoxHealth Fitness Center Meyer Center location, 3545 S. National. Packet-pick up will include a mini-expo with fun, interactive booths geared toward women and refreshments courtesy of Qdoba Mexican Grill and Panera Bread Company.

Registration is available at any CoxHealth Fitness Centers location, online at www.coxhealthfoundation.com, or from 6:30-7 a.m. on race day. Goodie bags and T-shirts will be given to participants, but there is a limited supply so be among the first to register.

Entry fees are $20 for pre-registration, $25 on race day, and $45 for families (Restrictions apply on the family rate. Call for details.) This year’s event is presented by Fitness Showcase. For more information about the race, call 269-3282.

Today's blood drives build on recent success

CoxHealth has won the "Racin to Save Lives" blood drive contest with St. John's. We beat the competition by 77 donors and can now take back the trophy. Thanks to everyone who donated in the May and June blood drives.

Our next blood drive is Thursday, July 1, at Cox South in Foster Auditorium and Cox North in Fountain Plaza. Hours will be from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Cox South and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. at Cox North.

This is our Salute a Veteran blood drive. Kathy Rigger, blood drive captain for CoxHealth's executive offices, says the gift is a Cox mug and a patriotic T-shirt.

Rigger says participants will be able to "give the shirt off your back" to feed hungry families in the Ozarks. Donors will have the option of declining the T-shirt and the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will make a cash donation to Ozarks Food Harvest that will provide twelve complete meals for area residents who need the help.

CBCO is on a Code Yellow alert for A Positive and O Positive. If you are either of these blood types your donation is greatly needed. Our blood drives at Cox South and Cox North tomorrow are the only CBCO drives before the 4th of July weekend. They are depending on us to carry them through the long 4th of July weekend.

Kathy reminds us that those who give at three CoxHealth Blood Drives during 2010 you will have your name entered in a drawing for a big screen TV valued at $1500. The drawing will be held in January 2011.