Work on diverging diamond intersection to cause delays near Cox South

For those who use James River Freeway to come to Cox South, now is the time to find and start using an alternate route.

Bob Edwards with the Missouri Department of Transportation warns that construction on the National-James River interchange and the accompanying underpass access to Cox South will make National Avenue “a major choke point” for traffic.

In mid-October, construction began on a new, $10 million interchange for the intersection of National Avenue and James River Freeway. Over the next 10 months, the interchange will be transformed into a “diverging diamond” configuration similar to the one at Kansas Expressway and Interstate 44.

When the project is completed, scheduled for August 2010, the intersection will provide smoother traffic flow with less “stand still” time and a lower risk of rear-end collisions.

In the meantime, though, construction will mean slow moving traffic through the area, with lane closings, narrowed lanes and lane shifts on National. Access will remain open to Cox from National throughout the project.

Edwards says from now until March and possibly July of 2010, National Avenue will have only one southbound lane open to traffic from just south of Primrose Street to the bridge over the freeway. Northbound National Avenue will have two lanes of traffic open.

Drivers need to be prepared for traffic to move slowly through the entire project, especially during the busiest times of day.

Crews will work to widen the National Avenue bridge to provide three lanes in each direction and extra lanes will be added to the ramps from James River onto National. An additional lane will be added in each direction on National south of the bridge to Kingsley Street and North of the bridge to Bradford Parkway. The project also includes an additional lane in each direction on James River between National and Campbell Avenues.

In addition to the changes on the overpass, CoxHealth has committed $3 million for ramp access to Cox South from National. The design will eliminate the left turn lane from northbound National into the driveway south of the current ER. Instead, drivers going north on National and wishing to turn into the campus will make a right at Bradford and then loop under National via a new underpass that will emerge west of National on the service road near the employee parking lot.

The traffic effects of the project include:
• At times, lanes on the National Avenue bridge will be reduced to one through lane and one left-turn lane in each direction
• In the area between the bridge and Primrose, National will be reduced to three lanes
• Nighttime lane closings will be needed at times on James River between National and Campbell.

When completed, the project is expected to provide smoother traffic flow around the south campus and accommodate increasing traffic for the new Emergency Department and future expansions.

Frequent updates on the construction can be found at the following locations:
• Modot.org/Springfield
• Springfieldmo.gov
• Twitter.com/modotspringfiel
• Twitter.com/cityofsgf
• Nixle.com (sign up and receive free project updates via e-mail or text message).

CoxHealth Honor guard escorts veterans before their visit to Washington

The CoxHealth Honor Guard helped to honor World War II veterans who were on their way to visit the WWII memorial and other sites in Washington D.C.

The veterans were taking part in the Ozarks Honor Flight program that sends veterans to the nation’s capitol so they can visit the memorials that are dedicated to their service and sacrifice. The flight is at no cost for the veterans.

The CoxHealth Honor Guard was asked to participate in the send-off. The members of the Cox Security department greeted the veterans and escorted them through the airport in Springfield.

“It was an honor to participate in the event,” says Joe Rushing, director of Cox Security. “It was great to see the smiles on the veterans’ faces. They really appreciated the support.”

Rushing says the Honor Guard returned that evening to help greet the veterans as they arrived back home.

The CoxHealth Honor Guard was formed earlier this year and is made up of CoxHealth Security officers. The officers have volunteered their time to learn how to perform the precision movements and to how to properly wear the elaborate uniforms required of an honor guard regiment.

The guard is available to represent CoxHealth as casket guards and casket bearers at the funeral of any board member or administrator who should pass away. The honor guard also serves as casket bearers for any CoxHealth employee who passes away. Rushing says the honor guard will also represent CoxHealth at the funeral or memorial service for any state dignitary.

The CoxHealth unit is one of only a few fully-dressed honor guards in Springfield. The group will be available to provide a full military funeral service with a flag folding ceremony and 21-gun salute for any law enforcement agency that loses an officer.

Traffic slowdowns to increase on National near James River

The Missouri Department of Transportation says increased driving delays are expected on National Avenue at James River Freeway (Route 60) starting Thursday evening, Nov. 5, as a road construction project shifts to its next stage.

The traffic pattern change includes reducing National Avenue to only one southbound lane for a short distance south of Primrose Street. It will be fully in place by Friday morning, Nov. 6, and will remain in effect through the spring of 2010.

Drivers who need to reach nearby CoxHealth facilities, including Cox South Hospital, and the many other businesses along National Avenue will be able to do so, but it probably will take more time to get there. However, drivers who use National Avenue to commute through the area, especially southbound during afternoon rush hour, are urged to find other routes to avoid the construction and reduce the congestion along the corridor.

Construction of an underpass and service road underneath National Avenue is about to begin. That is why it is necessary to narrow down National Avenue and shift traffic to the east side of the street.

Here’s what will happen:

* National Avenue will have only one southbound lane open between Bradford Parkway (south of Primrose Street) and the bridge over James River Freeway starting some time Thursday evening, Nov. 5. Even though only a 500-foot long section of National Avenue will be narrowed down, major driving delays are expected, especially for southbound National Avenue traffic.
Southbound National Avenue will have two through lanes open across the bridge and a separate left-turn lane to eastbound James River Freeway.

* Northbound National Avenue will have two lanes open on the bridge over the freeway — one through lane and one left-turn lane onto westbound James River Freeway.
North of the bridge, National Avenue will have two lanes open through the work zone. The goal is to minimize traffic backups on the westbound James River Freeway off-ramp to National Avenue.

* In late March or April, traffic will be shifted to the west side of National Avenue, with two lanes open for northbound traffic and one lane open for southbound traffic. This will allow the east side of the underpass to be built.

CoxHealth, Skaggs partner to operate new Clinic at Walmart in Branson

Today, Walmart, CoxHealth and Skaggs Regional Medical Center announced a new collaboration – “The Clinic at Walmart” operated by CoxHealth in partnership with Skaggs Regional Medical Center. This new convenient care clinic will be located in the Branson Walmart supercenter at 1101 Branson Hills Parkway and will open Monday, Nov. 2. The clinic will offer the same fast, affordable access to basic health care services available at Springfield-area locations, and will be the first location in Branson. This is CoxHealth’s fifth in-store clinic in an area Walmart supercenter.

This clinic will be operated as a joint venture between CoxHealth and Skaggs. CoxHealth will oversee day-to-day operations of the clinic, while nurse practitioners and collaborating physicians will be provided by both health systems.

“We’re happy to be able to collaborate in this partnership, and to bring The Clinic at Walmart model to those who live in and visit Branson,” says David Taylor, CoxHealth vice president of Regional Services. “This partnership allows us to work jointly with Skaggs and offer yet another avenue to provide quality, affordable care to the community.”

“The Clinic at Walmart has provided us a great opportunity to partner with CoxHealth to provide another location for area residents and visitors to access medical care for minor illnesses,” says Joan Phillips, Skaggs Interim CEO. “The delivery of health care services is ever-changing. As Baby Boomers age and Generation Y and X seek medical services, they are looking for convenience. So it is exciting to see three organizations come together to provide that convenience at The Clinic at Walmart.”

The clinics serve as an alternative for people at least 18 months old who are sick enough to need care, but aren’t sick enough to need the level of care available in an emergency department or urgent care clinic. The clinics are also an affordable option for patients who might otherwise postpone or avoid care because they lack insurance, have concerns about the cost, or are away from home and in need of basic medical services.

The clinics offer upfront pricing and prompt access to acute and preventive care for common health ailments treatable without urgent or emergency care, including sore throats, sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, earaches, bladder infections, insect bites and stings, cholesterol screening, blood sugar testing, vaccinations, drug screening and routine physicals. Clinics offer walk-in service seven days a week and evening hours.

Walmart has 44 in-store clinics in 12 states. For further information about “The Clinic at Walmart”, please visit www.walmart.com/clinics. For more information about CoxHealth, please visit www.coxhealth.com. For more information about Skaggs Regional Medical Center, please visit www.skaggs.net.

Cox announces H1N1 distribution plan

Patients of CoxHealth physicians are asked to call their primary care physician’s office to be placed on a list to receive H1N1 vaccine.

Vaccine must first be distributed to those patients at highest risk of suffering complications from the H1N1 virus, as identified by the CDC. When patients call, they should be prepared to answer a few basic health questions so staff can place them on the appropriate list according to their risk group. When vaccine for their group becomes available, they will be notified.

CoxHealth clinics will receive a relatively small number of doses each week, so it may take some time before vaccine is available for everyone. When vaccine is received from the Health Department, it must be used within the week, so patients must be prepared to come into their physician’s office with very little notice. If a patient is not available to receive vaccine when contacted, their name will remain on the list for the next available shipment.

The administration fee will be filed with private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. Patients are reminded to practice good infection prevention techniques while they wait for vaccine: cover your coughs or sneezes, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, and stay home if you are sick.

Silent auction to benefit CMN

The CoxHealth Pastoral Care department will hold a silent auction to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Friday, Oct. 16, 7 a.m. - 4p.m., in the main lobby of Cox South, 3801 S. National Ave.

A variety of items will be available for bidding. All proceeds benefit CMN.

CMN of CoxHealth is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance for sick and injured children living in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Funds raised benefit CMN projects such as the C.A.R.E. Mobile – a children’s clinic on wheels – medical equipment, financial assistance and educational programs.

For more information, please call Children’s Miracle Network at 417/269-KIDS.

Class offers parenting, communication skills

CoxHealth will hold the two-day “Prepping for Parenthood” class Friday, Oct. 16, from 6-9 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. The class will be held in suite 110 of the Turner Center, 1000 E. Primrose.

Expectant couples will learn new communication and conflict management skills. For more information or to register, call 269-LADY.

National and James River construction to close lanes beginning October 1

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced that one northbound and one southbound lane of National Avenue on the bridge over James River Freeway will be closed during daytime hours beginning Thursday, Oct. 1, and lasting into the week of Oct. 5.

Crews will begin removing a concrete median down the center of the bridge.

Crews will close the lanes between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 1-2.

The outside through lane will be open in each direction and a very short left-turn lane will be available for National Avenue drivers who need to access James River Freeway. Driving delays are expected during the work.

No work is planned over the weekend and all lanes on National Avenue will be open to traffic.
However, on Monday, Oct. 5, crews will resume work on the National Avenue bridge. Each day through the week, a lane in each direction on the National Avenue bridge will be closed during the day.

Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule.

Starting the week of Oct. 19, more extensive work is scheduled to begin on the project.

That’s when long-term lane closings and traffic shifts will be needed on National Avenue between Bradford Parkway north of the bridge and Kingsley Street south of the bridge over the James River Freeway.

Drivers can expect slow-moving traffic with delays getting through the work zone, with workers and equipment set up close to traffic.

CoxHealth takes first place in contest encouraging biking, walking to work

CoxHealth has won first place for a second year in a row in the 2009 Bike, Bus, Walk to Work Week Challenge sponsored by Ozark Greenways.

The Cox Fitness Centers (represented by group exercise coordinator Sheryl Deboer, right) accepted the BBWW trophy recently. Cox won in the large-size business category for having the most participants in this year’s challenge.

Ozark Greenways says more than 90 businesses and schools participated in the challenge to use bicycles, the city bus, walking and carpooling as transportation to and from work or school.
Fitness Centers director Chris Flouer says he’s proud that so many Cox employees found other ways to get to work besides driving a car.

“This shows we are not only a leader in health care, but we are leaders in our community,” says Flouer.

Screenings determine your risk for osteoporosis

Next year, studies estimate more than 52 million U.S. men and women aged 50 or older will suffer from osteoporosis and low bone mass. The majority may never know until they suffer a fracture from a minor fall, or in advanced cases from a sneeze or even spontaneously.

CoxHealth can help you determine your risk for osteoporosis at an osteoporosis screening, sponsored by The Women’s Center at CoxHealth Friday, Sept. 18. People found to be at an increased risk of osteoporosis can also get a bone density screening for the low fee of $25.

“Screenings for osteoporosis are important to prevention and early detection,” says Patti Roper, RN, CDT osteoporosis nurse educator. “For most people, osteoporosis is a preventable disease if they do the right things, such as getting the recommended daily amount of calcium, doing weight-bearing exercises and not smoking. For those who don’t get screened and take other preventative measures, osteoporosis can be a painful and life-changing disease.”

Screenings are for those ages 21 and older. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 269-LADY. Screenings will be held in Suite 110 of the Turner Center, 1000 E. Primrose.