CoxHealth to celebrate opening of new ED

CoxHealth will celebrate the completion of the organization’s new Emergency Department with an open house, tours and a ribbon cutting ceremony 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25. The public is invited to attend.

The new Emergency Department features some of the nation's most sophisticated MRI and CT technology, an on-site lab, state-of-the-art disaster management facilities and more. The ED has 62 patient beds – a significant improvement over the 23 beds available in the existing facility, a chapel and garden area, and the latest security features for the safety of staff and patients.

The ED is located in the Lipscomb Family Wing of Cox South, 3801 S. National, on the south side of the hospital facing James River Freeway. Construction on the new 78,000 square-foot ED began in May 2009. The total cost of the project was $52.5 million, financed by a Sept. 2008 bond issuance.

Patients will continue to be treated in the old Emergency Department space until 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29. At that point, all emergency care will be provided in the new facility.

Patients travelling northbound on National Ave. who need to access the Emergency Department are advised to drive in the far right lane as they navigate the diverging diamond interchange. Drivers will then need to make a right-hand turn onto Bradford Parkway, and then an immediate right onto the CoxHealth tunnel road. They will cross under National and emerge on the Cox South campus with the new Emergency Department entrance directly in front of them.

Make plans for CoxHealth's Fall Fest

Mark your calendars and plan to save the date for this year’s CoxHealth Fall Fest.

The employee picnic, which features food and fun for the whole family, is set for Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Expo Center in downtown Springfield.

The event is presented annually by CoxHealth's leadership in recognition of and appreciation for the work employees do year round.

What do Arnold Palmer, Colin Powell and James Bond have in common?

All, along with a host of other famous people, have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. (Ok – so it was Roger Moore, not actually James Bond.) Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer that affects men, and more than 30,000 die of the disease each year.

CoxHealth will hold a free informational program with urologists Howard Follis and Andrew Schultz called “Life After Prostate Cancer” 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 30. Patients dealing with prostate cancer can learn about coping with the side effects of treatment.

A light dinner will be served. The program will be held in the Dogwood Room on the fourth floor of Hulston Cancer Center, 3850 S. National. This is a free program, but advance registration by Sept. 27 is required. Call 269-5224 for more information.

Verona Corn Maize to benefit CMN

Kick off your family’s fall activities at the Verona Corn Maize Saturday, Sept. 18, and help area children at the same time. That day only, the maze will donate 100 percent of their proceeds to Children’s Miracle Network.

The Verona Corn Maize offers a variety of activities for the family, including hayrides, a corn shucking contest, a strongman competition, a greased pig chase and more. You can see the full list of activities and get directions to the maze at their website: http://themaize.com/sites.php?ID=&username=moverona.

Admission to the maze is $8 for ages 12 and up, $4 for children 5 – 11. Kids 4 and younger, veterans and active military with ID are free. For more information, call CMN at 269-1832.