Cox Branson names Simon Wajnblom vice president of performance management

 

Simon Wajnblom will serve as  vice president of performance management for Cox Branson.

Simon Wajnblom has been named Cox Medical Center Branson’s vice president of performance management. As vice president of performance management, Wajnblom will be responsible for driving performance based on data, working on strategic planning, and ensuring that Cox Branson fulfills its mission to provide exceptional health care throughout Taney and Stone counties.

 

“Simon is a proven leader who has incredible drive and a great passion for the healthcare industry,” says Cox Branson President William Mahoney. “We believe Simon is going to play an integral role in helping Cox Branson develop best practice standards that will ensure that we are providing the best care for our patients today and for many years to come.”

 

Wajnblom has been a part of the CoxHealth team for more than 10 years. He began his career with CoxHealth as business manager of surgical services. During his time as business manager of surgical services, Wajnblom successfully introduced new service lines and procedures as well as served as project lead for new surgery center construction and implementation.

 

In 2009, Wajnblom was promoted to the position of director of supply chain, purchasing and contracting. In that role, Wajnblom developed, implemented and oversaw supply chain support and logistics for CoxHealth’s multi-facility system. Wajnblom also played an essential role in helping to manage capital equipment and supplies for new construction projects at Cox South, including the emergency room, orthopedic surgery center, outpatient surgery center and intensive care unit.  

 

Wajnblom was born in Malmo, Sweden, and moved to the U.S. in 1999 to attend Drury where he was a part of the swim team. He has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in business management and strategy.

 

“I am very excited about the opportunity to become part of the Branson community where family and community values are strong,” Wajnblom says. “My passion and drive in health care ties directly in to my passion for community. I’m eager to begin building relationships in the community and learning how we can make health care better for the people who live, work and visit Branson.”

Meet the employees who quit tobacco with Charlie's Fund

Since its founding three years ago, Charlie’s Fund at CoxHealth has been helping staff members break the tobacco habit. The fund offers a $1,000 incentive for participating employees who remain tobacco-free for a year.

In 2015, eight of our colleagues rose to the challenge and earned the incentive award. CoxHealth President and CEO Steve Edwards recognized the staff members during the monthly Department Head meeting at Cox South. The 2015 participants are:

Rhonda Shafer, Patient Access, Cox Branson
James Bosserman, Materials Management, Cox Branson
Lisa Potthoff, Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Neurology
Rozlyn McTeer, Trauma Services
Sabrina Wollweber, Physicians Billing
Stephanie Barnes, Oxford
Rick Boaz, Pre-Hospital Services
Tina Buffington, Oxford HealthCare (not pictured)

Please join us in congratulating them on their achievement!

Enrollment is underway now for employees who are working to be tobacco-free in 2016. Enrollment runs from January 18 – 28 for this year’s program that begins February 1. CoxHealth employees can visit the intranet to see a list of details on how to participate.

Meet Your Trainer: Nate Manus



Nate Manus is a fitness assistant and personal trainer at CoxHealth Fitness Center Branson

Nate Manus graduated from College of the Ozarks last May and soon after joined CoxHealth Fitness Center Branson as a fitness assistant and personal trainer.

“I have always wanted to help people,” Nate explained. “When I first started classes at C of O, I was focused on PreMed.”

When Nate was introduced to physical education opportunities, he quickly found an area that combined his passion for helping people with his passion for fitness.

“I really, really enjoy what I do,” Nate said. “As a personal trainer, I’m able to build relationships with our members and work with them so that they feel better and are able to enjoy life more. They might not always enjoy the workout, but in the end, they always feel better.”

Nate said the first thing he does when he meets a new client is find out about their goals.

“My goal is to help them reach their goals,” he said. “I’ll customize a workout and I talk to them about diet and nutrition.”

In addition to offering personal training, you can also find Nate teaching classes at the fitness center. 

For more information about CoxHealth Fitness Center Branson or to schedule an appointment with Nate, call 348-0060.

Clinic closings for Jan. 21, 2016

CoxHealth Center Ozark
Opens at 10 a.m.

CoxHealth Pediatrics
Opens at 9:30 a.m.


CoxHealth Center Republic
Opens at 9 a.m.


CoxHealth Center Shell Knob
Opens at 9:30 a.m.

CoxHealth Center Rogersville
Staff only - no provider

Branson locations

CoxHealth Orthopedics
Opens at 10 a.m.

CoxHealth Pain and Neurology
Opens at 9 a.m.

CoxHealth Center Branson West
Opens at 10 a.m.

CoxHealth Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine
Opens at 10 a.m.

CoxHealth Center Kimberling City
Opens at 10 a.m.


CoxHealth Rheumatology
Closed

Cox Branson to host Meet Your Match for graduating nurses

Many nurses will say going into the healthcare field was an easy decision; however, deciding which area within the healthcare industry to work in was not as clear.

To help make that decision a little easier for graduating students, or nurses considering a career change, Cox Branson will host Meet Your Match on Tuesday, Jan. 26. During Meet Your Match, participants will have an opportunity to learn directly from nursing leaders throughout Cox Branson about the many opportunities available.

“Meet Your Match is like speed dating for those who are interested in entering our internship,” explains Kari Bowling, recruitment specialist. “During Meet Your Match, each participant meets with a department leader for a predetermined amount of time, usually for approximately five minutes, to learn about each area of the hospital and ask questions. By the end of the event, participants will have had the opportunity to meet with all department leaders, and hopefully leave with a clear understanding of what specialty best suits them.”

Bowling explained that Meet Your Match is a fairly new concept and while it aids in recruitment, the main objective is for graduating nurses to meet leaders and learn about the different areas of specialty from people who work in those departments.

“As a result of Meet Your Match events, many participants have applied to areas they didn’t know existed or thought they wouldn’t be interested in,” Bowling says.

Meet Your Match will be held Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Magnolia Room at Cox Branson, 525 Branson Landing Blvd. Arrive early to enjoy refreshments.

For more information, call 417-335-7368 or email kari.bowling@coxhealth.com.

Clinic closings for Jan. 20, 2016

CoxHealth Center Willow Springs
Opens at 10 a.m.


CoxHealth Center Republic
Opens at 9 a.m.


CoxHealth Center Campbell
Opens at 1 p.m.


CoxHealth Center Shell Knob
Opens at 10 a.m.


CoxHealth Family & Occupational Medicine
Opens at 10 a.m.


CoxHealth Center Southern Hills
Closed


CoxHealth Center Chesterfield
Opens at 10 a.m.


CoxHealth Center Nixa
Late opening/reduced staff


CoxHealth Pediatrics
Opens at 10 a.m.


CoxHealth Center Ozark
Opens at 10 a.m.


The Clinic at Walmart (Kansas Expy)
Opens at 12:30 p.m.


CoxHealth Center Seymour
Opens at 10 a.m.


CoxHealth Center Marshfield
Opens at 1 p.m. (acute care only)

Branson locations

CoxHealth Orthopedics
Closed


CoxHealth Diabetes & Endo.
Call ahead


CoxHealth Heart Center
Opens at 9:30 a.m.


CoxHealth Pain and Neurology
Opens at 9 a.m.


CoxHealth Family Medicine and OB
Opens at 12 p.m.


CoxHealth Hyperbaric and Wound Care
Opens at 12 p.m.


CoxHealth Family Medicine (Hwy 248)
Opens at 11 a.m.


Mary's Well House
Opens at 10 a.m.


CoxHealth Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine 
Opens at 10 a.m.


CoxHealth Center Forsyth
Open


FDC General Surgery
Open


FDC Urology
Open


CoxHealth Center Branson West
Closed


CoxHealth Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases
Closed


CoxHealth Rheumatology
Closed 

Cox Branson offering its final enrollment event for 2016 health care coverage

Open enrollment for Health Insurance Marketplace ends January 31

While this year’s Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period ends Jan. 31, there is still an opportunity to receive free one-on-one enrollment assistance.

On Saturday, Jan. 23, Cox Medical Center Branson is hosting a free enrollment event with educational resources and in person assistance for navigating affordable health coverage options through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

“Whether you need help wading through the application process or could use assistance selecting the right health plan, this will be a great opportunity to receive free support from a licensed assister before open enrollment ends this year,” says Kate Conn, Certified Application Counselor, CoxHealth. “We will be able to see if you qualify for financial assistance and help you avoid the steep penalty for 2016.”

Participants who enroll by Jan. 31 can have coverage as soon as March 1. Anyone who does not have health coverage during 2016 may face penalties. The penalty for not having insurance in 2016 has been set at $695 per person or 2.5 percent of income, whichever is higher.

The enrollment event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at Cox Medical Center Branson, in the Magnolia Room. Cox Branson is located at 525 Branson Landing Blvd. For an appointment or more information, call 417-269-2945. Walk-ins are welcome!

CareChex awards CoxHealth 28 number one rankings

CoxHealth is being recognized as a 2016 CareChex America’s Top Quality Provider for ranking in the top 10 percent of hospitals nationally for outcomes, earning the health system both a Medical Excellence and Patient Safety Award in the Overall Medical Care category.

“We are excited about these honors because they highlight the wonderful people who comprise CoxHealth,” says Steve Edwards, CoxHealth president and CEO. “However, while honors such as this are nice to receive, a greater satisfaction comes in serving people we often know personally. It is wonderful knowing that our care measures at levels among the best in the state and nation.”

CoxHealth is the only hospital in the region, and one of only four in Missouri, to appear on this national ranking by CareChex, a division of Comparion Medical Analytics.

In addition to its national awards, CoxHealth was ranked number one in Missouri for medical excellence in neurological care and spinal surgery, and number one in the state for patient safety in cancer care, major neurosurgery, pneumonia and pulmonary care.

Additionally, the health system led the market in 22 categories, and several of the system’s clinical areas rank Top 100 and Top 10 percent nationally.

For a complete list of the 2016 Quality Awards by CareChex, visit coxhealth.com.

Local residents use time and talent to support CoxHealth Women’s Center Branson

CoxHealth Mammography Technologist Rachel Morgan, left, and Ultrasound Tech Teresa Fears, right, accepts a mural and $700 check from Kelly Stuart, Lisa Blevins and John Morgan.

 

As a young boy, John Morgan learned to fold gum wrappers into bracelets. Over the years, he’s continued to use this technique to make unique gifts, but it wasn’t until 2015 that he began turning the bracelets into more than art.

In 2015, Morgan, along with his co-workers, Lisa Blevins, Kelly Stuart and Shelby Simon, cut and folded thousands of tiny pieces of paper into breast cancer awareness bracelets. They then sold the bracelets to raise money for CoxHealth Women’s Center Branson.

“My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and I told John I wanted to do something,” explained Blevins. “John came up with this idea.”

Morgan paid to have 2,000 color pages printed and on each page were 18 small blocks, and each block contained a pink ribbon. Together, the co-workers turned block after block into bracelets, eventually raising $700. They also created a 20-inch by 32-inch piece of wall art using the same folding technique. The co-workers recently presented the art, which Morgan named “With Love and Hope,” to the women’s center. Money raised from the bracelet sales were donated to Skaggs Foundation and will be used to help local women who could not otherwise afford breast health services at the women’s center.

“We started this project last January and each bracelet takes about an hour to make,” Morgan said. “We all worked on it together and it’s been a lot of fun.”

They plan to continue to make more bracelets, selling each one for a $5 donation.

“This is something that is dear to my heart,” Blevins said.

The money raised will be used to assist CoxHealth Women’s Center Branson patients who otherwise could not afford breast cancer testing.

“We are very grateful to John, Lisa, Kelly and Shelby,” said Rachel Morgan, mammography technologist. “This gift is more than simply a check. It represents hours of their time and talent and for the women who couldn’t otherwise afford testing, these funds mean so much.” 

To purchase a breast cancer awareness bracelet, contact John Morgan at J42A42Morgan@outlook.com.

To schedule an appointment with CoxHealth Women's Center Branson, call 348-8313.

Skaggs Legacy Endowment grant enables school district to hire nurse

Third-grade student Cheyenne Snow talks with Taneyville School Nurse Chelsie Burkhart.

A school nurse is a luxury that many students and staff in larger school districts likely take for granted; however, Taneyville School District Superintendent Dr. Tim Taylor will not soon forget how fortunate his district is to have a nurse on staff. 

Thanks to a $38,204 Skaggs Legacy Endowment grant, when students returned to school after the holiday break, they were joined by the district’s new licensed practical nurse. It was be the first time the district has had a school nurse since eliminating the position several years ago in an effort to save money.

“The school nurse responsibilities were added to the building secretary’s position,” Taylor explained. “It has saved money and it has worked, but it certainly hasn’t worked well. With no formal training or background in health care, our secretary has been doing the best she can.”

The district’s K-8 enrollment is approximately 200 students and includes students who have asthma, life-threatening food allergies, and more. Taylor said the secretary was seeing an average of 15 students a day, which proved to be very challenging for someone who also has fulltime secretary duties.

“We were honored to assist the Taneyville School District in hiring a school nurse,” said Skaggs Foundation Grants Administrator Heather Zoromski. “This is an important position in any school. We are pleased to know that Taneyville students will have a highly trained nurse ready to provide the quality care and comfort students need, when they need it most.”

The Skaggs Legacy Endowment grant will provide a fulltime nurse who will help establish a collaborative relationship with Taney County community health care resources, educate staff members on nursing best practice protocols and procedures and assist with the development of a nurse sharing program that will be implemented at the end of the grant cycle. After the grant cycle, Taylor said they plan to continue with a half-time nurse Taneyville School District will share with a neighboring district.

“The nurse sharing program will enable the district to enjoy all of the benefits of a school nurse, but at half of the cost,” Taylor explained.

Skaggs Legacy Endowment was made possible by a $25 million gift from CoxHealth to Skaggs Foundation in 2013.