Cancer survivor creates care bags for Cox Branson patients

Ellen Young, left, presents 20 cancer care bags to Marcy Keltner, with CoxHealth Cancer Center Branson. Young, a breast cancer survivor, and her daughter, Elizabeth Williams, donated the bags to the Branson center and plan to make more for other cancer center locations.

A cancer diagnosis is devastating and for many patients, the road to recovery often includes chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries throughout the battle. Ellen Young, an associate administrative director for CoxHealth, and her daughter-in-law Jill Young know the battle all too well – they are breast cancer survivors.

Understanding the battle that other women are facing, Ellen Young wanted to do something with her family that would give hope and encouragement to women currently fighting cancer.

Together, Ellen Young and her daughter Elizabeth Williams, a Thirty-One consultant, recently donated 20 beautiful cancer care bags to CoxHealth Cancer Center Branson to be distributed to cancer patients.
“If through these bags we can encourage these ladies and let them know we’ve been there and there is a light at the end of the tunnel, we want to do that,” Ellen Young said. “We want them to know there is someone who cares and there is hope.”

Each Thirty-One tote bag was filled with a blanket, footies, lotion, crossword puzzle book, pen, mints, soaps, hand sanitizer, sweet and salty snacks, and bottled water with flavoring.

"During our journeys, we were blessed to have the support of family and friends as well as the financial means to provide for our comfort,” Ellen Young said. “Many aren’t that fortunate.”

Cox Branson Patient Navigator Marcy Keltner distributed the first bags and said the gifts were enthusiastically welcomed by patients.

“It is a wonderful feeling to watch the patient’s face light up and then the tears start to fall as they are overcome with gratitude that someone who does not know them would do something so kind and thoughtful,” Keltner said. “They love these beautiful bags filled with comfort items.”

Ellen Young and Williams plan to donate more care bags and will include other CoxHealth locations in the future. If in anyone is interested in helping the mother and daughter pair provide care bags for CoxHealth cancer patients, please contact Ellen Young at 417-875-2720.

Meet the physical therapists at CoxHealth Ozark Therapy Services during open house

CoxHealth Ozark Therapy Services welcomes the community to an open house, Thursday, August 13 at 5:30 p.m.

The physical therapy clinic at 1725 S. 15th Street in Ozark opened in April, treating patients for orthopedic needs, sports rehabilitation, dizziness, women’s health issues, and Parkinson’s disease.

“It’s important that patients with sports or orthopedic injuries, dizziness, or Parkinson’s disease to have access to physical therapy services close to home. That’s why we’re excited about our new clinic in Ozark,” says Michael Hobus, MPT, Manager, CoxHealth. “Our open house is a great opportunity for our community to meet our staff and get a better understanding of how we can help them.”

Jenna Kure, DPT, MBA, TPI certified, is the primary physical therapist at this clinic and is LSVT BIG Certified. “This means she is trained in the treatment protocol for individuals with Parkinson ’s disease,” says Hobus.

She is also certified to treat and help prevent injuries of local golfers. “As a Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) certified instructor, she is able to treat golf-specific injuries and to help prevent future injuries through rehabilitation techniques using biomechanical analysis to improve performance and obtain longevity in the sport,” explains Hobus.

During the open house, also meet Crystal Warren, PT. She will offer women’s health services that help address incontinence, pelvic pain, prolapse, and constipation issues.

CoxHealth Ozark Therapy Services welcomes physician referrals and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

North entrance driveway at Cox South closed to vehicles during construction

The driveway in front of Cox South's North Entrance will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning Monday, Aug. 10.

As part of the facility improvements happening on the Cox South campus, the canopy at the North Entrance of the hospital will be rebuilt. This construction at the North Entrance will lead to temporary changes that will affect our patient discharge process.

Although the North Entrance will remain open during the construction project, beginning Monday, Aug. 10, the North Entrance drive will be closed to vehicle traffic. The entrance will remain open to foot traffic.

Discharged patients will be available for pickup at either of the entrances on the west side of the hospital – the West Pavilion Entrance or the West Tower Entrance.  The East Entrance (along National by the former ED) will also be available for use for discharging patients, if needed.

The expected timeframe for the completion of the canopy project is two months.

Partners Spirit honoree: Pat Long

PARTNERS Spirit recognizes an employee, volunteer, physician or Cox College nursing student who has made a significant contribution to the benefit of CoxHealth, an individual or the community. PARTNERS behaviors generally demonstrate everyday excellence or exceed the employee's normal job duties.

Pat Long, Volunteer Services, Springfield

From the nomination: “A couple of months ago, my father dropped off my mother at Cox North and told her he would be back shortly. He left to run some errands and while he was gone, he had a heart attack and passed away. My mother was sitting in the lobby waiting for him to pick her up. They don’t have a cell phone, so she did not know what was going on.

Pat passed by her several times and spoke to her each time. At lunch, Pat asked if she would like something to eat. Since my mother did not have any money, she said no. Pat went to the cafeteria and brought my mom lunch anyway. Pat visited with her that afternoon and finally asked if she could take her home.

My mother lives in Lebanon and Pat drove her home, where Pat asked to help her inside. There was a message on the answering machine from my mom’s sister. Pat was able to call my aunt when she was informed of my dad’s passing. Pat took my mother to my aunt’s house where she was given the news. My family is very touched by Pat’s kindness and compassion. Thank you, Pat.”

Valet service: 'Everyone has the best spot'

 

Valet Connor Kennedy says guests at Cox South are “ecstatic” about the free parking service CoxHealth is providing. The service is available at the North Entrance and the West Tower Entrance from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday- Friday.

In the first hours of the new valet service at Cox South in Springfield, valet Connor Kennedy was already seeing the benefits to our patients and guests.

“They are ecstatic,” says Kennedy. “It’s great for the people who don’t have the ability to walk all that far because this parking lot does get very full. We’ve had people come in with crutches and elderly people who don’t have to worry now about parking and walking very far.”

The valet service is a safe and secure way to manage parking on our busy campus, especially with the opening of the tower expansion. The service helps us address a longstanding issue on the Cox South campus: there are enough parking spaces, but many of them are located far from the main entrances. The use of valets solves the issue, at a cost that is more affordable than adding new parking lots or garages.

The valet service is operating now at both the North Entrance and West Tower Entrance at Cox South for our patients and guests. We have recently extended the service to our volunteer force.

CoxHealth is the only health system in Springfield to offer valet service. The service is free to customers and is available at the North Entrance and West Tower Entrance of Cox South from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday – Friday.

The new West Tower serves patients and guests of the Dee Ann White Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the Jared Neuroscience Center, which includes neurosurgery, neurology, neuropsychology and physiatry clinics.

“We won’t have people maneuvering through parking lots in wheelchairs or crutches, which will reduce the risk of falls or accidents with vehicles,” says Eric Clay, system director of Public Safety and Security. “Now they can drop off their car right in front of the hospital and see their loved one or get to their appointment on time because they won’t spend time looking for a parking space.”

The valets with our vendor, Springfield Parking Company, watch as drivers slow down in front of the entrance. If guests want to use the service, valets take the keys and hand the driver a valet ticket.

As the guests walk in, the valet drives the vehicle to one of the underutilized parking areas, such as the top level of the parking garage, the Kings Avenue parking lot and the former Maples lot across from the North Entrance.

Customers are instructed to text a message to the number on their valet ticket 15 minutes before they are ready to leave, alerting the valet to retrieve their vehicle. The goal is for customers to walk out to find their vehicle waiting for them.

“It’s like building a parking garage that has an infinite number of spaces right at your front door,” says Alex Scott, owner of Springfield Parking Company. “Everyone using the valet service always has the best parking spot.”

Photos: CoxHealth colleagues 'Stuff the Bus' for local kids

 

Our thanks to everyone who came out at Cox South and Cox North on Thursday to help us Stuff the Bus with school supplies for local kids!

If you couldn't make it by, it's not too late - the bus will be collecting backpacks and supplies at Walmart Supercenter locations in Springfield, Nixa, Ozark, and Republic on Saturday, July 25 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Click on the image below to see the list of needed supplies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most Wired: CoxHealth recognized for IT advances

CoxHealth has been named one of the nation’s 2015 Most Wired Hospitals and Health Systems by Hospitals and Health Networks based on the 17th annual Most Wired Survey. CoxHealth is one of only 338 organizations designated as Most Wired for excellence and innovation in informational technology.

Come tour the new cardiac cath lab at Cox Branson

Cox Branson invites community to open house on Wednesday, July 22

When a person has a cardiac event, seconds count. Having a local hospital ready to provide top-quality care can make all the difference.

On Wednesday, July 22, the community is invited to an open house at Cox Medical Center Branson to learn about its newly renovated cardiac catheterization lab, or cath lab, which will open to patients the following day. The newly renovated cardiac cath lab has been complete with the latest technologies.

The cath lab is an examination room with diagnostic imaging equipment that allows doctors to visualize the arteries and chambers of the heart and then treat any stenosis or abnormality discovered.

The open house runs from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22. Guests are invited to park in the inpatient parking garage located between the hospital and Plaza One and then enter the hospital through the main entrance. The cath lab is located on the second floor of the hospital.

U.S. News & World Report names Cox South among best in state

Cox Medical Center South has been recognized as one of the best hospitals for 2015-16 in Missouri by U.S. News & World Report. The annual U.S. News Best Hospitals ranking, now in its 26th year, recognizes hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients.

Cox South is ranked as No. 5 in Missouri by U.S. News & World Report, recognized in southwest Missouri, and is rated high performing in the complex medical specialties category of pulmonology and for the care of adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure. High-performing hospitals exceeded expected national standards of care.

Cox South is the only Springfield hospital to be ranked in the top 5 in Missouri by U.S. News & World Report.

“We are delighted to be named on this prestigious national rankings list, now four years in a row,” says Steve Edwards, CoxHealth President and CEO. “U.S. News & World Report has been regarded as the public’s most trusted source for hospital ratings. To be considered the very best in our market and in the top 5 in our state is a reinforcement of the incredible hard work of thousands. We thank our physicians, staff and volunteers for their tireless dedication toward advancing medical care in the community we all love and call home.”

For 2015-16, U.S. News evaluated hospitals in 16 adult specialties and ranked the top 50 in most of the specialties. Less than 3 percent of the nearly 5,000 hospitals that were analyzed for Best Hospitals 2015-16 were nationally ranked in even one specialty.

“A Best Hospital has demonstrated expertise in treating the most challenging patients,” says Ben Harder, chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “A hospital that emerged from our analysis as one of the best has much to be proud of.”

In rankings by state and metro area, U.S. News recognized hospitals that perform nearly at the level of their nationally ranked peers in one or more specialties, as well as hospitals that excel in multiple common procedures and conditions.

U.S. News publishes Best Hospitals to help guide patients who need a high level of care because they face particularly difficult surgery, a challenging condition or extra risk because of age or multiple health problems. Objective measures such as patient survival and safety data, adequacy of nurse staffing and other data largely determined the rankings in most specialties.

The specialty rankings and data were produced for U.S. News by RTI International, a leading research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C. U.S. News used the same data, as well as the new Best Hospitals for Common Care ratings, first published in May, to produce the state and metro rankings.

The rankings are freely available at http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals and will appear in the U.S. News “Best Hospitals 2016” guidebook, available in August from the U.S. News Store.

CoxHealth supports back-to-school drives

In July, CoxHealth is contributing to the community with back-to-school collection drives. Many families with school-aged children don’t always have the resources available to purchase backpacks and supplies so students can start the year off right. Together we can help make a difference! Check out the information for your campus below. Thank you for participating!

Springfield: For the fourth year, CoxHealth will participate in Stuff the Bus, a community effort to provide backpacks full of school supplies to Springfield-area school kids. 1906, the employee store, has a limited supply of pre-filled backpacks in the store for $22.50 or purchase backpacks and supplies and bring them to our Stuff the Bus drop off locations on Thursday, July 23: Cox South from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Cox North, 2-3 p.m. Click the image below to see the full list of supplies:

Branson: We’re collecting school supplies for students in the Blue Eye School District. Items being collected include notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, scissors, glue, glue sticks, erasers, folders, highlighters, dry erase markers and backpacks. For a complete list of items needed, visit blueeye.k12.mo.us. Donations may be dropped off in the cafeteria and the media relations /Skaggs Foundation office, located in Plaza One, Suite 404.

Monett: We’re collecting school supplies for students living in Barry and Lawrence counties.Items being collected include notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, scissors, glue, glue sticks, erasers, folders, highlighters, dry erase markers and backpacks. Donations may be dropped off in the blue bin by the Kronos time clock on the hospital’s first floor.