CMN unveils updated Baby Buggy

Children's Miracle Network recently unveiled the revamped Baby Buggy, a specialty ambulance designed to transport some of the most critical neonatal patients in the Ozarks.

A grant from the St. Louis Cardinals' "Cardinals Care" program provided for updated artwork on the vehicle. The new look is shown in the top photo, while the one below is the the ambulance's original paint scheme.

The Baby Buggy is also supported by Jared Enterprises, who offer ongoing financial support.

Cox medical supplies en route to Haiti

Medical supplies donated by CoxHealth are headed to Haiti this week. Tracy Lipscomb, wife of Larry Lipscomb, who is a Cox board member and grandson of CoxHealth’s namesake Lester E. Cox, is delivering the supplies to medical clinics near the coastal town of Montrouis.

Lipscomb is traveling to Haiti to volunteer at a local orphanage and to assist a group of American physicians who provide medical care at the clinics. The group is lead by Dr. Tony Hlavacek, a pediatric cardiologist from Charlotte. Lipscomb traveled to Haiti with the group before the earthquake in Haiti and knows there is an even greater need now.

“I did not want to go empty-handed,” says Lipscomb. “I really wanted to be able to take something from Cox on this trip. I asked Dr. Hlavacek for the list of needed medical supplies. Cox just stepped up to the plate. I am so excited to be transporting these supplies for Cox.”

Lipscomb says the medical supplies and medications will make a huge difference for the people who live in the area who don’t have access to the most basic health items like vitamins and pain relievers.

The list of items include: surgical booties, paper surgical gowns, sterile surgical gloves, bandages, ear drops, eye drops, pre-natal vitamins, baby drop vitamins, children’s’ vitamins, anti-fungal creams, pain relievers and medications for urinary, bladder, skin and eye infections.

Plastic, aluminum recycling now available throughout CoxHealth

The Environmental Leadership Council at CoxHealth has announced the kickoff of plastic and aluminum recycling throughout the system with the distribution of dozens of recycling containers for use in departments and on patient floors.

CoxHealth’s Green Team champions will be in charge of placing the bins in their departments and emptying the containers on a regular basis.

Champions will be emptying the containers into outside receptacles managed by WCA Waste Corporation. The receptacles are located at:

Cox South: Near the trash compactor, south of the main hospital, between Engineering and the new ED construction site

Cox North: In the compactor area by the loading dock in the building’s central core; adjacent to the ER entrance.

Cox Walnut Lawn: In the compactor area on the northwest corner of Walnut Lawn.
Hulston Cancer Center: Driveway at the southeast corner of the building. This location also serves Wheeler Heart and Vascular Center.
Ferrell-Duncan Clinic: Northeast corner of the Primrose lot, just east of the construction trailers.

The exterior receptacles will be in place on Monday, March 8.

The project includes a total of 180 recycling bins that will be distributed to departments via the Green Team Champions. To receive a bin, a department must identify a Green Team champion. If your department doesn’t have a champion yet and you’d like to volunteer, feel free to contact the council by e-mailing Keith Roe at Keith.Roe@coxhealth.com.

In addition to aluminum and plastic, CoxHealth is currently recycling cardboard, paper, metal, and batteries from throughout the system.

New gift shop opens at Walnut Lawn

Members of CoxHealth’s Auxiliary and leaders at Cox gathered this morning to cut the ribbon on the new gift shop at Cox Walnut Lawn.

Gift shop manager Ginger Taylor says the new location will offer a variety of items to patient families and staff at Walnut Lawn, The Meyer Center and in the new Meyer Orthopedic Center, which opens this spring.

“Right now, we’re in a stage of finding out what people really want here and we’re open to comments and requests,” Taylor says. “Our employees are 80 percent of our business and we count on their feedback.”

The gift shop is open Mon.-Fri., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Taylor says she’s actively recruiting volunteers to staff the shop.

Proceeds from all the gift shops help fund programs that range from nursing scholarships and community education to post-op pillows and the CARE mobile.

Age appropriate, fun program designed to teach girls about puberty

Mothers and their daughters are invited to a special event, sponsored by The Women’s Center at CoxHealth, designed to help girls ages 10-13 make the transition to adolescence with confidence.

“What’s Happening to Me? A Mother/Daughter Dialogue” will be held 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 13, in Foster Auditorium at Cox South, 3801 S. National Ave.

Nancy Bolduc, director of The Women’s Center, says, “The Women’s Center is committed to educating preteen and teenage girls about the issues affecting them. This discussion about sexuality and puberty is presented in an age-appropriate and sometimes humorous way.”

Presented by Robin Housley, RN, women’s health educator and experienced mother, the program includes chair massages and hand scrubs, followed by a healthy lunch and a relaxed, candid discussion on the changes puberty brings.

There is a $12 per person fee and advanced paid registration is requested. Please call 269-LADY for more information or to reserve your spot.

CoxHealth named Top 100 Integrated Health Network

CoxHealth has been named to SDI’s Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Networks listing for the fifth year in a row.

The SDI IHN Rating System is the nation’s premiere integrated healthcare network rating system. The Top 100 listing is based on critical success factors determined by SDI, such as a network’s ability to operate as a unified organization in each of eight categories: integration, integrated technology, contractual capabilities, outpatient utilization, financial stability, services and access, hospital utilization, and physicians.

This is the 13th edition of the Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Networks listing, and CoxHealth was rated 60th. The complete list and other information can be viewed at www.sdihealth.com.

CoxHealth donates supplies for Convoy of Hope’s Haiti effort

CoxHealth has donated three pallets full of medical supplies (above, with staff from Sterile Processing) destined for Haiti earthquake relief.

Ellen Gray, CoxHealth director of Sterile Processing, coordinated the donation and says the supplies include crutches, sterile surgical gowns, children’s nutritional supplements, soap, catheters, surgical skin markers and much more.

“This donation to Convoy is a great way for CoxHealth to reach out and help those in need,” says Gray.

If you would like to contribute to the relief effort, Convoy of Hope and the American Red Cross ask that you donate online at Convoyofhope.org or at Redcross.org. The U.S. relief effort is now allowing only a specific list of supplies into Haiti due to the overwhelming response internationally.

Both agencies say the greatest need is for cash to allow them to quickly purchase the most essential items needed by the people of Haiti.

Cardinals players visit pediatric patients

The Cardinals Caravan rolled into Springfield and made its traditional stop at Cox South to visit patients and baseball fans on the Pediatrics unit.

Two St. Louis Cardinals players, relief pitcher Kyle McClellan and third baseman David Freese, came to the hospital. Former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Kerrie Robinson also visited the children.

“It definitely lightens up their day at the hospital when they get to see some of the big sports players,” says CMN Director of Special Projects Crystal Conway. “I know the parents appreciate it as well.”

St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird was also part of the group touring the unit. With help from the Child Life department, the players visited with patients and parents in the rooms and posed for several photographs, including some with staff. The team autographed hats and handed out other Cardinals merchandise to the children.

Conway presented the players with a gift, a framed collection of photographs of the remodeled pediatric patient room that was sponsored by the Cardinals Care Program.

Celebrate National Yoga Day with 'Yoga Flow' event

In celebration of National Yoga Day, CoxHealth Fitness Centers brings you “Yoga Flow,” a two-hour event designed to stretch your mind and body.

Join us Saturday, Jan. 23, from 9-11 a.m., at The Meyer Center, 3545 S. National Ave. Bring your favorite yoga mat, wear comfortable, loose clothing and enjoy two hours of yoga poses that will start out light and lead to a more vigorous and energetic workout. Sun salutes and balancing poses will be included.

This event is appropriate for people with all levels of yoga experience. Registration is $10 pre-registration, $15 the day of the event. To register or for more information, call 269-3282.

Pedal your way to the peak of three mountains – but never leave Springfield

Join CoxHealth Fitness Centers for the bike ride of a lifetime beginning Friday, Feb. 5.

Participants will get the chance to ride to the top of Alpe d’Huez in France, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mt. Everest in the Himalayas – on Spinning bikes.

Treks are as follows:
• Alpe d’Huez, Friday, Feb. 5, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., $15 fee
• Mt. Kilimanjaro, Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. – noon, $30 fee
• Mt. Everest, Saturday, Feb. 6, 1 – 4 p.m., $30 fee.

According to Sheryl DeBoer, Spinning instructor and ride organizer, each ride will include a computerized audio/visual presentation with images from the mountains. All rides will be held at The Meyer Center, 3545 S. National Ave., and a discount is available for people who choose to participate in all three rides.

Space is limited, so call 269-3282 today.