Women’s Center welcomes Dr. Carrisann Woods

Dr. Carrisann Woods

Cox Medical Center Branson is pleased to announce that Carrisann Woods, DO, has joined the Women’s Center team. She specializes in obstetrics and gynecology care.

Dr. Woods is a Springfield native and attended Drury University. She received her medical education at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Woods join our Women’s Center team,” said Tracey Williams, MSN, FNP, director of OB Women’s Services. “Dr. Woods trained at one of the top medical centers in the nation and at a facility recognized for its innovative patient care models. She comes with a passion for women’s health and as a mother herself, she has a unique understanding of the type of care women want and need.”

Dr. Woods has always been drawn to the medical field and knew early on she wanted to care specifically for women.

“I have always felt that if you take care of the mom, and the mother makes her health a priority, it trickles down to the rest of the family,” Dr. Woods said. “I really care about educating patients so that we can partner together in their care. That is really what the patient/physician relationship is about – partnering together for the patient’s best possible health.”

The Women’s Center at Cox Medical Center Branson expanded earlier this year, now offering complete care for women in one convenient location. Services include well-woman preventative and gynecologic care, mammography, ultrasound and bone density testing as well as lactation support and education.

“There are a lot of wonderful things happening at the Women’s Center and I’m excited to be a part of it,” Dr. Woods said.

Dr. Woods is joined in Branson by her husband, Richard, and their three children: Mary, 5; James, 4; and Clara, 22 months. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and taking her kids to soccer and karate lessons.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Woods, call 348-8313.

CoxHealth Fitness Center Branson class schedule through Oct. 15

Click on schedule to see complete class listing.

Cox Medical Center Branson welcomes new cardiologist

Dr. Robbie Mangalasseril

Cox Medical Center Branson is pleased to announce the addition of Robbie Mangalasseril, MD, to the CoxHealth Cardiology team.

Dr. Mangalasseril grew up in Dubai and obtained his medical degree at the University of Kerala, in India. Since obtaining his medical degree, he has been at St. Louis University School of Medicine completing his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in cardiovascular diseases. While completing his education at St. Louis University, Dr. Mangalasseril served as chief resident  and chief cardiology fellow. 

“Dr. Mangalasseril is a wonderful addition to our already strong team of cardiologists,” said Cox Medical Center Branson President William Mahoney. “His passion for providing great cardiology care is evident, from attending top medical schools to the awards he has already received, including being recognized by St. Louis University in 2012 for best graduating internal medicine resident and last year as cardiology fellow of the year.”

Dr. Mangalasseril said his passion for cardiology stems from his childhood.

“As a child, I had several relatives who suffered heart attacks and I even recall being fascinated as I listened to my uncle talk about balloon angioplasty,” Dr. Mangalasseril said. “I was 10 years old at the time and remember thinking, ‘Wow, this is amazing. I want to be a part of that.’”

Dr. Mangalasseril loves the opportunity he has as a cardiologist to make a positive difference in the lives of his patients.

“I’m the first doctor in my family and I absolutely love my job,” Dr. Mangalasseril said. “I get to meet many people and learn about them, not just about their problems, but about their lives. I have the incredible opportunity to help them feel better and sometimes even cure them. Every week, I’ll see patients who will challenge me and inspire me to look further and I love a challenge where the end result is a healthier, happier person.”

Dr. Mangalasseril said he is specifically passionate about valvular heart disease, heart failure and preventative cardiology.

Dr. Mangalasseril’s family will soon be joining him in Branson. His wife, Anju Susan Prasad, is in her final year of endocrinology fellowship training at Saint Louis University and plans to join her husband in Branson once her fellowship is complete. The couple has a 4-month-old son,  Darren Thomas.

“We love the outdoors and Branson is the perfect place to raise my family,” Dr. Mangalasseril said.

Dr. Mangalasseril is seeing patients at Cox Heart Center Branson. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 336-4112.

Nurse networking events offer free food, headshots, and a chance to learn about CoxHealth

All nursing students – including new students and those preparing to graduate – are invited to attend nurse networking events at Cox South. The events offer nurses a chance to meet the system’s nurse leaders, have a free professional headshot taken, and enjoy food from local restaurants such as Maria’s Mexican Restaurant and Aviary Café – as well as learn why great nursing careers happen at CoxHealth.  

The events will be held on the following days and times:

• Monday, Aug. 29: Maria’s will cater happy hour snacks from 5-6 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 1: Aviary will serve brunch from 10-11 a.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 8: Lunch from Maria’s will be served from 1-2 p.m.

Nurses attending the events are welcome to utilize the health system’s free valet parking. All events will be held in Foster Auditorium at Cox South (3801 S. National Ave., Springfield). For more nursing-career information, visit coxhealth.com and search for “Graduate Nurse Residency.”   

Medical Explorers Open house set for Aug. 23

Program gives students a chance to learn about careers in health care

Young adults interested in learning more about career opportunities in health care are invited to attend a Medical Explorers Open House on Aug. 23 at Cox Medical Center Branson. The Medical Explorers program offers young adults between the ages of 15-20 the opportunity to shadow and interact with providers across the field, attend monthly meetings where they are introduced to health care topics, and spend times in various departments throughout the hospital.


“Medical Explorers is a great opportunity for students to learn about the medical field from the people who are in it and determine if a career in health care is right for them,” says Ruth Huntsman, Cox Medical Center Branson’s Medical Explorers coordinator. “During the open house, students can learn more about the program, ask questions, register, try on scrubs and have their photo taken for a name badge.”


The open house will be held from 2:30-7 p.m. Aug. 23 in the Tree Rooms at Cox Medical Center Branson, 525 Branson Landing Blvd.

Registration for the fall 2016 program ends Aug. 26.
 
For more information about the program, click here or call 417-335-7059.

Nursing students and new grads invited to nurse networking event

Nursing students and new graduates thinking about their future nursing career are invited to attend Cox Medical Center Branson’s Nurse Networking Event on Aug. 31 from 4-6 p.m. The event offers a chance to meet local nurse leaders, enjoy delicious food, have a free professional photo taken and learn why great nursing careers happen at CoxHealth.

“Our networking event will be a tremendous opportunity for nursing students and graduate nurses to meet other nurses and nursing students and find out about the many perks of working at Cox Medical Center Branson,” says Nursing Education Manager Matthew Farmer, RN. “During the event, attendees will have a chance to get to know our nursing leaders and learn what it is like to work on each of the units. The other thing that is great about an event like this is that it gives nurses an opportunity to find the perfect job for them and get a jump start on their career rather than just hoping to find a good fit searching the internet.” 

The Nurse Networking Event will be held from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, in the Dogwood and Redbud conference rooms at Cox Medical Center Branson, 525 Branson Landing Blvd. For details, call 417-335-7234.

Cox Learning Center Branson set to open this fall

Waiting list available to families needing child care

For more than 30 years, CoxHealth has provided quality child care in the Springfield area. This fall, CoxHealth will extend this service to the Tri-Lakes Area as the health system opens Cox Learning Center Branson.

“Studies have shown, and we have heard it from many of our employees, there is a shortage of licensed, quality child care facilities in the Branson area,” says Simon Wajnblom, vice president of performance management at Cox Medical Center Branson. “We recognize that if our employees do not have a place they can feel good about leaving their children, they can’t provide the exceptional health care our patients deserve. When parents cannot find quality care for their child, families suffer, businesses suffer and the community suffers. Therefore, we will not limit the center to children of CoxHealth employees, but will extend this service to the community.”

The learning center will accept children six weeks old up to 12 years of age.

At the center, care givers will use Creative Curriculum by Teaching Strategies, a nationally approved curriculum for early childhood education.

“It is a developmentally and age appropriate curriculum that promotes child initiated learning,” explains Karrie Ridder, CoxHealth learning centers director. “As each child grows and develops, we make every effort to promote self-esteem and independence in the child and to help in the emotional, physical, intellectual and social aspects of their personality. We want to make learning as fun and creative as possible and to do so, we will organize each classroom into learning centers, giving children a variety of activities to choose from each day.”

The center, located at 1192 Bird Road in Branson, will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon snacks will be served daily. Formula, diapers and wipes will also be included at no additional cost.  

To learn more or to place your child on the waiting list, call 417-269-6775.

Cox Medical Center Branson offering paid Nurse Assistant Training Program

Cox Medical Center Branson is now taking applications for its new Nurse Assistant Training Program.  The six-week program offers training specifically designed to prepare unlicensed caregivers to provide excellent hands-on patient care.

“Our Nurse Assistant Training Program is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in providing patient care to receive the training they need to begin a career in healthcare,” explains Nursing Education Manager Matthew Farmer, RN. “The entire six-week training program, which includes 32-hours each week of classroom and clinical training, is paid. At the end of the training program, students will receive resume building support and interview coaching to assist with placement as a nursing assistant.”

Farmer explains that after one year as working as nurse aid, students will have the opportunity to take an exam to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA).

“A career in healthcare can be very rewarding and our new Nurse Assistant Training Program is a great way to enter the field,” Farmer says.

Classes are available in Branson and Springfield. To register, visit CoxHealth.com, click on “Career Opportunities” and search “Nursing Assistant Training.”

Convenient Care Pharmacy becomes CoxHealth Pharmacy

Convenient Care Pharmacy, CoxHealth’s outpatient retail pharmacy, is now CoxHealth Pharmacy. All of the system’s five pharmacies – located in Springfield and Branson – are affected by the change.

The locations for the retail pharmacies are:

Cox Medical Center Branson

545 Branson Landing Blvd.
Branson

417-335-7700

Cox North

1423 N Jefferson Ave.
Springfield

417-269-8880

Ferrell-Duncan Clinic

1001 E Primrose St.
Springfield

417-269-7470

The Turner Center

1000 E Primrose St.
Springfield

417-269-5584

Wheeler Heart and Vascular Center

3800 S National Ave. Suite 110
Springfield

417-269-5988 

The pharmacies are open to the public, and will refill prescriptions through the smartphone app RefillRx Mobile. CoxHealth employees are eligible for workplace delivery.

Free asthma screening on Aug. 13

About one in 10 Missourians have asthma, a chronic condition caused by inflammation of the lungs, but many don’t know it. Or, if they do know about their condition, they don’t know what treatments are available. That’s why, on Aug. 13, the Ferrell Duncan Clinic Allergy Department is conducting a free community asthma screening.

The event runs from 1 – 4 p.m. at The Library Station (2535 N. Kansas Expy, Springfield). It features asthma screenings, lung function testing, and demonstrations on proper use of asthma medications. Health care providers who specialize in asthma will be on hand to answer questions about the condition.

No registration is required. For more information, call 417-875-3742.

CoxHealth hosts free dinner to help cancer patients learn about nutritional needs

Cancer affects many aspects of an individual’s life, including what he or she eats. After all, not only does a palate have a propensity to change, but so do nutritional needs. That’s why, on Aug. 18, patients and their caregivers can learn more about those new needs at a free dinner sponsored by CoxHealth.  

The event will be led by Melinda Lund, a CoxHealth dietitian. Lund will direct an interactive discussion on ways patients can adapt their diet to satisfy the needs of their bodies, especially when faced with new demands.

The session will be held at Hulston Cancer Center (3850 S. National Ave., Springfield) from 5:30 – 7 p.m. It is free to attend, but registration is requested by Aug. 16. Please call 417-269-5224 for more information or to register.

 

Convenient Care Pharmacy becomes CoxHealth Pharmacy

Convenient Care Pharmacy, CoxHealth’s outpatient retail pharmacy, is now CoxHealth Pharmacy. All of the system’s five pharmacies – located in Springfield and Branson – are affected by the change.

The locations for the retail pharmacies are:

Cox Medical Center Branson

545 Branson Landing Blvd.
Branson

417-335-7700

Cox North

1423 N Jefferson Ave.
Springfield

417-269-8880

Ferrell-Duncan Clinic

1001 E Primrose St.
Springfield

417-269-7470

The Turner Center

1000 E Primrose St.
Springfield

417-269-5584

Wheeler Heart and Vascular Center

3800 S National Ave. Suite 110
Springfield

417-269-5988

The pharmacies are open to the public, and will refill prescriptions through the smartphone app RefillRx Mobile. CoxHealth employees are eligible for workplace delivery.

First responders invited to free lunch Aug. 12

In an effort to show support to local law enforcement, all first responders from area counties are invited to a free barbecue lunch at Cox North on Friday, Aug. 12.

“It seems like you can’t turn on the news without hearing about an attack on law enforcement,” said Eric Clay, CoxHealth Public Safety director. “When our CEO Steve Edwards heard about the ambush on Dallas police officers, he was deeply saddened and wanted to do something to show our local first responders how much we support them. Our local law enforcement officers, EMS and fire fighters serve and protect us daily. This lunch is a small way we can show them how much we appreciate all that they do for us.”

The salute to first responders will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cox North’s Fountain Plaza room. No RSVP is required.

The free event includes barbecue chicken, bratwursts, hamburgers, hotdogs, ice cream and more as well as prize drawings. Carry-out will be available for those who are on-duty.

Similar events are being held at CoxHealth campuses in Branson and Monett. Cox Monett’s salute to first responders will be held on Aug. 10 and Cox Branson’s is on Aug. 11.  

 

CoxHealth adds 22 physicians in August

CoxHealth is growing: In August, 22 new physicians will join the health system:

• Dr. Rachel Archer, Family Medical Care Center
• Dr. Justice Arhinful, Springfield Inpatient Physicians
• Dr. Cesar Artiles, Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Pulmonology (Branson)
• Dr. Scott Ballmann, Ferrell-Duncan Clinic OBGYN
• Dr. Michelle Davis, CoxHealth Pediatric Center
• Dr. Sridevi Durga, Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Cardiology
• Dr. Uma Edupuganti, Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Pulmonology
• Dr. Melissa Gaines, Cox Senior Health Center South
• Dr. John Garner, Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Cardiology
• Dr. Sarah Hossain, Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Gastroenterology
• Dr. Dayna Jett, Cox Family Medicine Residency
• Dr. David Lemons, CoxHealth Cardiology (Branson)
• Dr. Robbie Mangalasseril, CoxHealth Cardiology (Branson)
• Dr. Srikant Nannapaneni, Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Hematology/Oncology
• Dr. Justin Nowlin, Family Practice & Obstetrics of Monett
• Dr. Jaclyn Pohlers, CoxHealth Center Republic
• Dr. Khushbu Shukla, CoxHealth Newborn Medicine Specialists
• Dr. Jessica Standeford, Cox Family Medicine Residency
• Dr. Mehdi Tajouri, Springfield Inpatient Physicians
• Dr. Sangita Trivedi, Pediatric Critical Care & Pediatric Sleep Center
• Dr. Joy Wen, CoxHealth Newborn Medicine Specialists
• Dr. Carrisann Woods, CoxHealth Women’s Center (Branson)

 

To find a provider, call 417-269-INFO or visit coxhealth.com.

 

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CoxHealth volunteer wins Points of Light award

CoxHealth volunteer Marc Copeland is a special person: The youngest of nine children, Marc hasn’t let Down Syndrome keep him from giving back more than 6,586 hours at the health system. That dedication has earned him a “Daily Point of Light Award” from Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. To celebrate his award, a party was held in his honor at Cox North on Friday, July 29.

"Marc makes a difference at CoxHealth every single day with his attitude and enthusiasm,” says Pat Long, CoxHealth’s volunteer services coordinator. “He is a joy to be around, and so deserving of this recognition.”

"Marc began volunteering at CoxHealth in 2013 after the small manufacturing company he worked for closed. His sister, Merrian Copeland, works as a supervisor for Food Services at Cox North, and encouraged him to volunteer there. Since then, he’s spent nearly every day at CoxHealth, time which has been given to three different departments. In the cafeteria, he cleans tables, wraps silverware and prepares the salad bar; in accounting, he stamps invoices and helps file documents; and at the fitness center, he cleans equipment and helps make things nice for members.  

"But for Marc, the best part of serving is simple: It’s the people. “I like meeting people,” he says. “I like helping people.”