Try new herbs and spices this National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month, making it the perfect time to clear up some misconceptions about eating right. To begin with, healthy dishes don’t have to be bland. Herbs and spices are a wonderful aid for a healthy eating regime, both because they provide flavor and nutritional benefits – and they can replace extra fat, sugar and salt in meals without the extra calories.

“Herbs and spices are a natural way to enhance healthy eating efforts,” says Cindy Seaton, a clinical dietitian with Nutritional Services at CoxHealth. “And they’re easy to implement – just a few small additions can make a huge difference.”

But like their distinct benefits, herbs and spices are distinctly different. Learn more about them here:   

What are herbs?

Herbs are the leaves of low-growing shrubs, and can aid in healing and strengthening the immune system. They also have many anti-inflammatory properties, which help with issues related to chronic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

Herbs can help in a variety of ways:

• Digestive issues can be helped with dill, chives, rosemary, oregano and basil.
• Respiratory problems may be eased with dill, chives, oregano, thyme and basil.
• Nausea, fatigue or aches and pains have simple herb fixes, too. Chives can help with fatigue, and rosemary can help with those aches and pains and may also improve memory.

What are spices?

Spices come from the bark, root, buds, seeds, berry or fruit of tropical plants and trees. They may fight infection, boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, improve heart health, keep skin healthy, regulate metabolism, help with weight loss, strengthen bones, increase digestion, protect against many diseases, protect oral health, treat illness/infections and balance hormones.

A few benefits from spices include:

• Inflammation reduction may tie to cinnamon, cayenne pepper, cumin, cloves, black pepper, nutmeg and turmeric. Such spices are full of antioxidants can reduce chronic inflammation and help in the prevention of illness or infection. 
• Digestion and GI issue reduction may be aided with cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and nutmeg.
• The aging process may be slowed with cinnamon for pain management, improved heart health, increased brain function and a potential reduction in blood sugar. Cumin and nutmeg may aid bone health, manage heart rate, improve eyesight and reduce macular degeneration. And, last but not least, turmeric may have protective effects on brain health, preventing a decline in brain function that is associated with aging.

Meet Your Fitness Assistant: Amanda Knerr

Amanda Knerr

Fitness Assistant Amanda Knerr may be one of the newest team members at CoxHealth Fitness Center Branson, but that does not mean that she is not an expert when it comes to fitness.


Amanda, a senior at College of the Ozarks, will complete her degree this year in exercise and science nutrition.


“I have always enjoyed being active and living a healthy lifestyle,” Amanda says. “At College of the Ozarks, I took a weight lifting and physical fitness class and fell in love with learning and growing in the field of nutrition and exercise science. I loved it so much, I’m now planning to make fitness my fulltime career.”


While Amanda enjoys fitness, she also loves helping others learn to love fitness, too.


“I enjoy working at a place where people are changing their lives for the better,” she said. “I enjoy talking with and helping our members.”


So what would Amanda say to anyone considering joining the fitness center?


“Do it!” she said. “We would love to see you at the center. You will not regret it. It’s the first step of what can be an incredible life-changer.”

Help distract kids (receiving medical care) with DVDs

Besides quality care, one of the biggest things that kids in the hospital need is distraction. In order to help fulfill that need, CoxHealth’s Child Life Specialists are launching a DVD collection drive to benefit kids at CoxHealth. The drive, which goes until March 12, seeks any new or used children’s DVDs (rated G, PG or PG-13) and portable DVD players.

 

“It’s easy for kids in the hospital to be scared, bored or uncomfortable,” says Rana Post, Child Life Specialist at CoxHealth. “We hope that this drive will produce a lot of new ways to divert their attention while in such situations.”

 

Areas that will benefit are CoxHealth Surgery Center, Pediatric Urgent Care, Pediatric Sedation in Radiology, Ambulatory Infusion Clinic and Pediatric Rehab at the Meyer Center.

 

Items can be dropped off in the Child Life office on the first floor of the Dee Ann White Women's and Children's Hospital West Tower. Those wishing to deliver donations should call 417-414-2621 in advance.

Boot Camp 30 begins March 7

Boot Camp 30 begins March 7 at CoxHealth Fitness Center Branson.
Call 348-0060

Swimsuit season is just around the corner, but getting in shape for it does not require a huge commitment to the gym. CoxHealth Fitness Center Branson will host Boot Camp 30 starting March 7. Boot Camp 30 is designed to burn lots of calories and help participants get in incredible shape in a short amount of time.

“Boot Camp 30 consists of 30 minute workouts three days a week, for 30 days,” explained Fitness Center Manager Adam Wright. “These 30 minute workouts will follow the HIIT Method (High Intensity Interval Training). Participants will work hard and play hard during these classes, but it is only for 30 minutes and in the end, they should have a lot of fun and feel incredible.”

The boot camp classes will be offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:15-12:45 p.m. and 5:15-5:45 p.m. Classes will include a variety of exercises including squats, pushups, pull-ups, lunges, sit-ups, burpees, running, sprinting, jumping and more.

“While the classes will be intense, our awesome trainers are prepared to make adjustments because we want everyone to be successful and enjoy the workouts,” Wright says. “Aside from incredible workouts, boot-camp participants also benefit from group comradery, group accountability and a wide variety of exercises without a huge time commitment. Another great benefit is that since participants will be accomplishing so much in such a short amount of time, they will be burning calories during the class and for the next 24 hours as their bodies recover and prepare for the next class.”

Boot Camp 30 is available for fitness center members at $30 per person or $50 for nonmembers. Call 348-0060.

CoxHealth Innovation Accelerator launches game-changing ways of working

New ways to provide care, do business and better serve our community were all on the table for discussion at CoxHealth’s inaugural Innovation Accelerator on Monday and Tuesday.

Fifty employees, from entry level to leadership, pitched their ideas for improvement. After two days and a final “shark tank”-style presentation, three ideas were selected for further discussion.

The event, held at Missouri State University's eFactory in downtown Springfield, offered participants a chance to brainstorm ideas and have a voice in big-picture changes coming in CoxHealth’s future.

While the details are still in the works and under wraps, the winning teams and their ideas include:

1st place: Expanded Convenient Care Pharmacy services

Mary Ann Bennett
Justin Hance
Lisa Alexander
Carla DeSilva-Carver
Christine Tibbs
Jeff Hawkins

2nd place: New idea for expanding
laboratory services

Josh Ang
Ben Morris
Vicki Barone
Amanda Ritter

3rd place: New approaches for Chronic Care
Management

Nikki Washeck
Tyson Reed
Eric Cantrell
Jim Waring
Tracy Mitchell
Robb Woodruff

The winning teams will be recognized at CoxHealth’s Employee Recognition Banquet in April. Be watching for a special look inside the Innovation Accelerator experience in the April issue of CoxHealth Connection.

The two-day event was the first of its kind at The eFactory: It was designed to encourage the health care system’s employees to innovate ways to work more efficiently and effectively.

“At CoxHealth, we’re intentionally looking at how we can do things differently. But not just to be different – to be better,” says Scott Rogers, CoxHealth’s system director for Performance Integration and Innovation. “This event gives us the chance to think outside the box and really develop ideas that bring our organization to the next level.”

Employees applied for the event, after which 50 were selected to participate. Those people were given one minute to present their best idea for innovative improvement.

After that, the participants selected 5-7 of the top ideas to workshop with the help of local business coaches, all of whom are members of the CoxHealth Board of Directors:

Rob Fulp, President and CEO of Springfield First Community Bank
Dennis Heim, Partner with Heim Young & Associates
Jeff Tynes, J.D., President and CEO of SGC Foodservice
Kurt Hellweg, CEO of International Dehydrated Foods and American Dehydrated Foods
Jim Hutcheson, President of Jim Hutcheson Realtors, Inc.
Bob McDowell, Owner of McDowell Consulting LLC
Chuck Chalender, Agent with American Family Insurance

On Tuesday, each group presented their idea to CoxHealth leadership including Steve Edwards (President and CEO), Jake McWay (Senior Vice President and CFO), Charity Elmer, J.D., (Senior Vice President and General Counsel) and Ron Prenger (Senior Vice President and CHO).

They were joined by Joe Turner, J.D., president and CEO of Great Southern Bank and chairman of the CoxHealth Board of Directors, and Jack Prim, CEO of Jack Henry & Associates, who is also a member of the CoxHealth Board of Directors.

“We hope that this event launches a new, out-of-the-box way of thinking at CoxHealth,” says Rogers. “One of our goals is to always improve, and the results of this event will offer a new way to do that.”

Women’s Center at Cox Branson expands, adds pelvic wellness program



The Women's Center at Cox Branson will host an Open House from 4-6:30 p.m. Friday, March 4. The Women's Center is located in Suite 408, CoxHealth Outpatient Center Branson, 525 Branson Landing Blvd.

 

One in three women suffer from a pelvic floor disorder such as postpartum muscle weakness, urinary incontinence, painful intercourse and pelvic pressure. These conditions can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. There is good news though – help is available and it’s close to home. 

The Women’s Center at Cox Medical Center Branson has expanded to add additional services, including a new pelvic wellness program.

“Pelvic health disorders affect millions of women, yet there is a huge gap in care,” said Kelli Gosch, MSN, women’s health care nurse practitioner. “Having a pelvic wellness program right here in Branson will make it easier for women to get the help they deserve.”

The newly expanded Women’s Center has also added well-woman preventative and gynecologic care as well as lactation support and education. These new services are in addition to the services they’ve provided for years: mammography, ultrasound and bone density.

“We now have complete women’s health in one beautiful location designed for the care and comfort of women,” said Women’s Center Director Tracey Williams, MSN, certified family nurse practitioner. “With just one call, multiple services can be coordinated during one appointment time in one convenient location. We’ve also added some great special touches, including luxurious waffle robes and decadent chocolate treats for our patients.”

The expansion and additional services were made possible through a generous gift from Skaggs Foundation.

The community is invited to tour the newly expanded Women’s Center, learn about the exciting new services available, meet the center’s team of experts, and enjoy light refreshments during an open house Friday, March 4. The open house will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. in the Women’s Center, suite 408, CoxHealth Outpatient Center, 525 Branson Landing Blvd.

For more information about the Women’s Center or to schedule an appointment, call 348-8313.

New apartment at Cox North trains students in at-home environment

A 900-square foot apartment has been built inside Cox North – but it’s not for living. Instead, it’s for learning: Christened Cox Cottage, the apartment will allow Cox College’s Occupational Therapy students to learn how to help patients with everyday skills such as cooking, vacuuming, eating, bathing and even sleeping. 

“While about 25 percent of occupational therapists treat people in hospitals, all treatment is directed towards a return to home,” says Dr. Elizabeth Torcivia, chair of Cox College’s Occupational Therapy master’s program. “Cox Cottage is meant to extend our opportunities for simulation beyond medical settings into the places that people actually live.” 

The apartment, which looks and feels like a home, consists of a living room, dining room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and utility room. It’s a unique accessory to the new Occupational Therapy master’s program, which began at Cox College in 2015.


Occupational therapists provide skilled treatment to individuals of all ages facing physical, cognitive or psychosocial challenges. “Occupations” of self-care, work, and leisure activities are used by therapists to increase independence, enhance development, and/or prevent disability. Clients are empowered and enabled through innovative intervention activities, task adaptation strategies, environmental modifications, assistive devices, and technologies.

Cox Branson offering new heart failure monitoring solution

A new wireless heart failure monitoring system, available at Cox Branson, sends pressure readings directly to a patient's doctor and can help providers intervene quickly before a patient's heart problem worsens.

There’s a new way to manage heart failure, and CoxHealth is the only hospital system in southwest Missouri where it can be found.

The procedure consists of a sensor being implanted in a patient’s pulmonary artery. Once implanted, the wireless sensor sends pressure readings directly to the patient’s doctor – which means that when there’s a heart-related issue, the doctor knows right away and can help intervene before the problem gets worse. The procedure, which debuted at Cox South last fall, is expected to be performed for the first time at Cox Branson this spring.

“This new technology gives us the opportunity to give patients a better quality of life,” says Narin Arunakul, MD, a cardiologist with Cox Branson. “The sooner we address issues, the greater ability we have to intervene and manage a patient’s condition before it deteriorates. This extra time can truly be life-changing for our patients.”

“What makes this device so incredible is the fact that it will allow us to catch a problem before symptoms occur and ultimately, we will be able to prevent further heart damage,” said Ryan Sigle, RN, assistant nurse manager, Cox Branson Cardiac Cath Lab. 

The system’s sensor, part of the CardioMEMS Heart Failure System, is implanted during a non-surgical procedure and directly measures pressure on the artery. It’s the only FDA-approved heart failure monitoring device that has been proven to significantly reduce hospital admissions when used by physicians to manage heart failure.

The sensor is designed to last the patient’s lifetime and doesn’t require batteries. There is no pain or sensation for the patient during the readings. And its results are in the data: A clinical trial showed that the CardioMEMS technology reduces heart failure hospital admissions by up to 37 percent.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals selected as Charity of Choice by Hamra Enterprises, a franchisee of Wendy’s International in southwest Missouri

Representatives from Wendy's, including Wendy herself, visited the Pediatrics unit at Cox South to celebrate their partnership with CMN Hospitals.

Hamra Enterprises’ Wendy’s division has once again selected Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals as its charity of choice for 2016. The partnership, now in its third year, raised more than $101,000 for CMN Hospitals in 2015 – an increase that more than doubled 2014’s numbers.

“We had a very successful campaign and partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in 2015,” says Chuck Ocarz, president of Hamra Enterprises’ Wendy’s Division. “We are looking forward to what is in store for 2016 with goals to meet and hopefully exceed what we raised in 2015 for CMN Hospitals.”

CoxHealth staffers enjoyed Frostys as part of Wednesday's celebration.

As a corporation that cares deeply for the welfare of children, Hamra Enterprises will raise funds throughout the year at each of its 35 Wendy’s locations to assist local children suffering from injuries and illnesses. Funds are raised through the sale of $1 paper miracle balloons during certain months, as well as canisters near cash registers where customers can donate their change.

“We are humbled and grateful that we were selected as Hamra Enterprises’ charity of choice for the third year in a row,” says Tim Siebert, executive director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth. “We depend on the generosity of businesses, individuals, foundations and organizations to bring hope and healing to children who might otherwise go without the medical attention they desperately need. We thank Hamra Enterprises for the care and compassion they are sharing with the children and families we serve.”

New support group help parents of kids with brain tumors and injuries

Parents of kids with brain tumors and injuries have a new resource: CoxHealth’s Pediatric Brain Tumor and Injury Connection, a monthly gathering that offers a safe environment to share emotional support.


"Raising a child with brain tumors and trauma is a difficult road, but it’s even more difficult when it’s done alone," says Lana Martin, Pediatric Trauma Coordinator at CoxHealth. "This monthly group is a new resource for those who wish to connect and learn with one another."


The group is open to caregivers and survivors up to 15 years of age, as well as survivors’ siblings. It will be guided by leaders who are dedicated to the care and assistance of children and their family members, such as Child Life team members and pediatric registered nurses. The agenda and occasional guest speakers will be determined by the group’s participants.


Besides emotional support, the group offers interpersonal contact, an opportunity to share similar experiences (helping members feel less isolated), a chance to learn about the achievements of others who overcame similar difficulties, confidence building, safety discussions and play-therapy for the children.


The group meets on the second Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Cox South. An RSVP is required to attend. For more information or to RSVP, call 417-269-0923.