Today, the Skaggs Regional Medical Center Board of Directors and CoxHealth took the next step in the evolution of healthcare in the Tri-Lakes region by signing a letter of intent to form a strategic partnership. The letter is an agreement that offers a framework to bring the organizations together to build on the legacy of community-based care that is a hallmark of both hospitals.
Today’s action is a significant advancement of the process started in late January, when Skaggs’ Board of Directors issued a request for proposal (RFP) seeking a partner to ensure Skaggs will maintain jobs and continue to provide high quality care in Branson.
The letter of intent will allow the organizations to work closely together to explore the details of one another’s business practices. After this period called due diligence, the Skaggs Board of Directors will recommend a definitive agreement to the Skaggs Board of Trustees for approval, likely in the early fall.
“On behalf of the Skaggs Board of Directors and in support of the highest quality of care for our community, we had two very good potential partners. While the decision was difficult, we are pleased to announce our intent to move forward with CoxHealth,” says David Smith, chairman of the Skaggs Board of Directors. “We have all put hundreds of hours toward this effort and believe that we have found the partner that best meets our operational objectives and the needs of the Branson community. We also believe that CoxHealth provides the best fit for us, sharing our commitments to maintaining jobs and providing the highest quality of care. The Branson community is very familiar with the excellent services provided by CoxHealth and the board thanks the community, physicians and staff for their input throughout the process.”
"We are delighted and honored to have been selected by the Skaggs board, and as the Springfield area’s only locally-governed, not-for-profit health system, we’re pleased that Skaggs shares our values,” says Steve Edwards, CoxHealth president and CEO. “For more than a century CoxHealth has been dedicated to being the best for those who need us. We believe this partnership will allow us to combine our traditions of caring for the community, providing high-quality healthcare and investing in the health of our fellow Ozarkers in the Tri-Lakes region.”
Once a final agreement has been reached, various government agencies must also give approval, and the Missouri Attorney General will conduct a thorough review. This process could take several months.
The finalized partnership will provide significant independence to Skaggs while allowing the organizations to act as one entity for purchasing, contracting and other business-related matters. Skaggs will become a subsidiary of CoxHealth, but retain its board, current employees, management and medical staff. Skaggs will also retain its long-standing name.
“CoxHealth will keep Skaggs’ governance and dollars local, and the investment that we are making with this partnership will allow us to bolster the services available to the Branson Tri-Lakes region,” says Edwards. “We will expand services, facilities and the talent pool with a focus on ever improving the level of quality care provided.”
“Changes in healthcare are moving quickly and it is important we as physicians have the resources to provide our patients with the highest quality of care,” explains Dr. Robert Blackshear, Skaggs Chief of Staff. “We believe our partnership with CoxHealth will help us accomplish this mission as well as position us as the provider of choice in the Branson Tri-Lakes area. In addition we feel our CoxHealth partnership will help attract highly trained medical personnel to our area as well as provide needed equipment to deliver advanced medical care to our patients.”
CoxHealth’s proposal also includes a significant investment in Skaggs and the Branson Tri-Lakes community. Capital investments could include operating room and emergency department improvements, general refurbishment of facilities, technology upgrades and more. While these items will be a focus, it is a constant goal of all health care institutions to continuously improve care. This partnership will bring the breadth of CoxHealth’s resources to bear in Skaggs’s continuing pursuit of quality patient care.
“We believe our combined expertise and resources will make both of us stronger and better able to serve the Ozarks and adjust to the changing healthcare landscape,” says Edwards. “A partnership with Skaggs reflects our absolute commitment to the region and will provide a stable continuum of care for the people of the Branson Tri-Lakes region and throughout southwest Missouri.”
Despite the ruling by the Supreme Court today, Skaggs remains committed to providing quality healthcare to the area. “Regardless of the Supreme Court’s ruling today, important changes are underway in healthcare that have a profound impact on how hospitals operate,” explains William K. Mahoney, Skaggs CEO and President. “Like other community hospitals, we are developing new relationships to enhance how we operate and what we offer to the community. This partnership with CoxHealth allows us to maintain jobs and continue providing high quality care in Branson. As this next period of due diligence begins, we will continue to provide updates and Skaggs’ Board, management, employees and medical staff will continue to serve our patients every day with the same dedication and quality as we have for the past 62 years.”
About Skaggs
Skaggs Regional Medical Center is a 165-licensed bed community-owned and supported healthcare facility dedicated to improving the health of all area residents. Skaggs holds the highest national accreditation available for medical facilities from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Skaggs has also earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ for its advanced inpatient diabetes care and is an Advanced Primary Stroke Center through the Joint Commission on Accreditation.
About CoxHealth
CoxHealth is accredited by The Joint Commission and distinguished as one of the nation’s Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Systems (2006-2012). Established in 1906 and based in Springfield, Missouri, CoxHealth serves more than 1 million people in a 22-county service area in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Their comprehensive array of primary and specialty care includes four hospitals and more than 65 physician clinics in 20 communities. The health system includes Oxford HealthCare (a home health agency), Home Parenteral Services (home infusion therapy), CoxHealth Foundation, Cox College, Cox Family Medicine Residency Program and much more.
Contacts
Michelle L. Leroux
Media Relations Specialist
Direct: 417-335-7460
Fax: 417-335-7100
E-mail: michelle.leroux@skaggs.net
Laurie Duff
Vice President of Corporate Communications
Direct: 417-269-3070
Fax: 417-269-3104
E-mail: laurie.duff@coxhealth.com
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
CoxHealth Trauma Services notes increase in vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents
Following simple safety tips for pedestrians and drivers can save lives
CoxHealth Trauma Services has noted an increase in the number of vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents over the past few months. A number of these cases have been fatal. “Most of the victims have been in their teens and early 20s,” says Jami Blackwell, CoxHealth Trauma Services coordinator.
Blackwell attributes the increase to a number of factors, including warmer temperatures and healthier lifestyles causing more people to walk, run and bike along area roadways. That, combined with drivers who are often distracted by texting or talking on cell phones, can lead to serious, and sometimes fatal, accidents. “We want to remind everyone of the precautions they can take to stay safe,” she says.
Safety tips for walkers, runners and bike riders:
· Be aware of your surroundings, and make eye contact with people driving vehicles near you.
· Avoid texting, talking on your cell phone, and listening to music.
· Cross at crosswalks and obey all traffic signals and signs.
· Wear bright, reflective clothing, especially at night.
· Don’t step off the curb between parked cars.
· Parents should be near small children at all times when outside in areas where moving vehicles may be present.
Safety tips for drivers:
· Don’t text or talk on the cell phone while driving.
· Pay attention to your surroundings, and make note of any pedestrians in your vicinity.
· Be especially mindful in neighborhoods where children may play outside, and in parking lots.
To learn more safety tips for pedestrians and drivers, listen to our podcast at http://www.coxhealth.com/body.cfm?id=5459.
CoxHealth Trauma Services has noted an increase in the number of vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents over the past few months. A number of these cases have been fatal. “Most of the victims have been in their teens and early 20s,” says Jami Blackwell, CoxHealth Trauma Services coordinator.
Blackwell attributes the increase to a number of factors, including warmer temperatures and healthier lifestyles causing more people to walk, run and bike along area roadways. That, combined with drivers who are often distracted by texting or talking on cell phones, can lead to serious, and sometimes fatal, accidents. “We want to remind everyone of the precautions they can take to stay safe,” she says.
Safety tips for walkers, runners and bike riders:
· Be aware of your surroundings, and make eye contact with people driving vehicles near you.
· Avoid texting, talking on your cell phone, and listening to music.
· Cross at crosswalks and obey all traffic signals and signs.
· Wear bright, reflective clothing, especially at night.
· Don’t step off the curb between parked cars.
· Parents should be near small children at all times when outside in areas where moving vehicles may be present.
Safety tips for drivers:
· Don’t text or talk on the cell phone while driving.
· Pay attention to your surroundings, and make note of any pedestrians in your vicinity.
· Be especially mindful in neighborhoods where children may play outside, and in parking lots.
To learn more safety tips for pedestrians and drivers, listen to our podcast at http://www.coxhealth.com/body.cfm?id=5459.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Buy your tickets now for humorist Jeanne Robertson’s upcoming performance
Event will raise funds to support cancer screenings in the community
The CoxHealth Auxiliary is bringing award-winning humorist Jeanne Robertson to Springfield to raise funds to support cancer screenings in the community. Robertson will hold one performance at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 9, at Evangel Chapel, 1111 N. Glenstone Ave., in Springfield. Tickets are still available.
The CoxHealth Auxiliary is bringing award-winning humorist Jeanne Robertson to Springfield to raise funds to support cancer screenings in the community. Robertson will hold one performance at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 9, at Evangel Chapel, 1111 N. Glenstone Ave., in Springfield. Tickets are still available.
Jeanne is past president of the National Speakers Association and was the first woman to win NSA's top honor, the Cavett Award. An author of three books on humor, Jeanne has produced six DVD/CD humor programs and can be heard daily on Sirius XM Radio's Laugh USA, the Family Comedy Channel.
Her event in Springfield will support the CoxHealth Auxiliary’s work to fund cancer screenings in the community through the CoxHealth Foundation. Each year, the Missouri Association of Hospital Auxiliaries commits to a cause selected by the organization’s president. The current president, CoxHealth Auxiliary member Margie Beadles, has selected the importance of cancer screenings as the cause hospital auxiliaries around the state will work to support.
Tickets to Jeanne’s performance are $25. A discounted rate of $20 is available for groups of 10 or more. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 269-4169 or visit www.coxhealth.com. To learn more about Jeanne and see clips of her performances, visit www.jeannerobertson.com.
2012 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Telethon raises more than $1.4 million for area children
The 27th annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Telethon raised $1,462,269 to benefit local sick and injured children thanks to the outpouring of generosity from people in the community, despite these difficult financial times.
“We could not have asked for a better event,” says Tim Siebert, director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth. “Thank you to everyone who donated, to our sponsors and volunteers, for helping us help families across the Ozarks.”
Seibert acknowledged the generosity of a few sponsors including the following: Sensory Integrations, Downhome Productions, Re/Max, Great Southern Bank, Credit Unions for Kids, Price Cutter Charity Championship, CoxHealth, MSU Dance Bear-A-Thon, Mason’s, Dairy Queen, Kum & Go, KY3, Walmart, Power 96.5, Ace Hardware, Loves, IHOP, Marriott International, Golden Corral, The System - a Paul Mitchell Partner School, Kiwanis International and CoxHealth Auxiliary.
KY3 televised the event live beginning June 2 and ending at 5 p.m., Sunday, June 3, making it possible for the children’s charity to share “Miracle Kid” stories with the communities served by CMN Hospitals and CoxHealth.
About CMN Hospitals: Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of CoxHealth is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to sick and injured children in the Ozarks. CoxHealth underwrites all administrative expenses of the charity locally, so that every dollar raised stays in our community and helps children. For more information on Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals or to donate, visit www.coxhealth.com/cmn.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Working to keep kids healthy
A Cox Monett program that teaches children about health and exercise is expanding to Springfield.
The mission in health care is a seemingly straightforward one: improve the health of our community. In the hospital, we see every day how that mission plays out as we work to help the ill and the injured. But it takes more than fixing things when they go wrong to improve a community’s health. Health care isn’t limited to doctor’s offices, surgery suites and emergency rooms. On a recent Tuesday night in Mt. Vernon, the work of community health is being done in a school cafeteria, where kids are learning how proper nutrition and exercise can help them lead healthier lives.
“Can anyone give me an example of a good fat?” educator Lauren Holland asks the group of a dozen students and their parents. Hands shoot up. Peanut butter? Olives? The kids in attendance have done their homework. They’re participating in an event called CARDIAC Fun, which is the evening component of CARDIAC Kids, a program based at Cox Monett that works with fifth graders at several Ozarks schools. By the end of that Tuesday evening, the CARDIAC Fun participants have had a full refresher on nutrition, experienced a Crossfit-style workout, courtesy of sports science students at Missouri Southern, and learned how to make healthy burritos at home. All the attendees also leave with a free pedometer to track their steps as they go about their days at school and work.
Holland and Nancy Ridgley, Monett’s director of community wellness, have brought that comprehensive education to almost 6,000 students since the program began in 2003. Now, a grant from Kohl’s Cares is allowing the program to expand to Springfield. The Kohl’s CARDIAC Kids program will begin with a major health screening held at Kohl’s on Saturday, May 12. The event will be open to kids ages 6-18 and feature screenings for blood pressure, body mass index and cholesterol.
The Kohl’s CARDIAC Kids program represents a major expansion for the wellness effort. While Monett’s CARDIAC (Coronary Artery Risk Detection in Area Children) Kids focuses on fifth graders through school-based programs, Kohl’s CARDIAC Kids reaches out to a wider age range through large community events open to the public. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals worked with Kohl’s to secure the $45,020 grant, which will fund a series of public events for families this summer.
“Childhood obesity is such a major issue and I’m thrilled we can face it head on,” says Tim Siebert, executive director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “Preventing cardiovascular disease and diabetes fits right into the mission of CoxHealth and CMN Hospitals.”
Holland and Ridgley say the prevalence of obesity makes the need for public education clear.
“Kohl’s CARDIAC Kids will reach a much broader audience, and it’s new territory for us, but it’s definitely needed,” Holland says. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, 39.4 percent of Missouri children are overweight, obese or at risk of obesity. Since 70 percent of obese children grow up to be obese adults, heading off that risk early is key to public health.
That’s been the goal of CARDIAC Kids since its inception at Cox Monett in 2003. When Ridgley started in Cox Monett’s Wellness department, she worked with an administrator who was from West Virginia. At the time, West Virginia led the nation in obesity and Missouri wasn’t far behind. They talked about a program a pediatric cardiologist had developed in West Virginia and they decided to try something similar here. CARDIAC Kids was born and they soon began working with a dozen schools in Barry, Lawrence and Stone Counties.
“We’ve worked to expand from the beginning. We’ve always wanted to go statewide,” Ridgley says. “Our mission is to improve the health of our community and this reaches out directly to kids and their parents. The top risk factor for type 2 diabetes and heart disease is being overweight – hopefully we can reverse that.”
Holland originally joined the program as an intern. She was excited to pursue her passion of working with children, but she wasn’t prepared for how widespread childhood obesity is.
“The more you do this work, the more you see the need,” she says. Holland points out that the current generation of children is among the first who are expected to have shorter lifespans than their parents, due in large part to preventable medical conditions. As they age, today’s children will likely see medical issues in their 30s that previous generations didn’t see until their 50s. Holland says we’ve become so accustomed to most people being overweight that we don’t really notice when children are “stocky.” When those kids step on the scale, they’re often at risk for obesity. “I want children to live long, healthy lives; I want them to outlive their parents.”
Over the last nine years, the Monett-based program has made positive changes for the students it serves. In the first year, 50 percent of the students in the program had BMIs above the 85th percentile, by 2010, that had dropped to 39 percent. CARDIAC Kids students are retested as sixth graders; in the ’08-’09 school year, 86 percent had shown improvement. By 2009-10, that number had risen to 91 percent.
Leaders say the kids are always excited to learn and curious about the information presented at the events. Children respond to the cues in their environment at home; they eat what their parents buy, and they pick up on how active their parents are, or aren’t. Getting to children early is key to helping them change their habits before they become ingrained.
“By fifth grade, kids are starting to make some of their own decisions,” Holland says. “In our programs they may see something different than their regular environment, and they may see things they can do themselves.”
The kids, in turn, can also influence their parents. Simply raising awareness through the CARDIAC Kids program can be enough to get parents to buy more fruit, plan healthier snacks and take more steps with their pedometers.
“I’m a firm believer that our obesity problem is rooted in how we raise kids. People like to blame it on fast food or school lunches, but it starts at home,” Ridgley says.
Ridgley and Holland say the expanded nature of the community-based program will produce a higher turnout and an opportunity to reach more high-risk youths. The community exposure will also be good, helping to raise overall awareness.
“There are so many people who don’t know the basics on being active and eating healthy, it still surprises me,” Holland says. “You may not be able to revolutionize everything about someone’s life, but you can plant a seed and help them make small changes.”
Ridgley says the most rewarding part of working in wellness is seeing how being healthy can improve people’s lives.
“It’s a night and day change, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too,” she says. “We want people to see Kohl’s CARDIAC Kids as an opportunity – it’s cutting edge, and free, so take advantage of it.”
Summer events
The Kohl’s CARDIAC Kids program will kick off with a public event on Saturday, May 12, in the Kohl’s parking lot on Independence Street in Springfield.
The event, planned for 8-11 a.m., will feature complete health screenings, including body mass index, blood pressure and cholesterol. Screenings are available for kids ages 6-18 and the first 500 children screened will receive a $10 Kohl’s gift card.
The program includes two free Kohl’s CARDIAC Kids Family Fun nights in June:
Northview Center at Doling Park
6-7:30 p.m., June 14,
The Meyer Center
6-7:30 p.m., June 22,
The community events offer healthy snacks, activities, nutrition education and a free pedometer for participants.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
CoxHealth staffers bring prom to Pediatrics
Karissa Kiblinger of Joplin had been looking forward to her prom on Saturday, April 21, but a severe respiratory infection landed her in the Pediatrics unit at Cox South last week. She realized she was going to miss the prom, but she had decided to make the best of it and just Skype with her friends as they were getting ready for the dance.
The staff on 700 West had other plans: If Karissa couldn’t go to the prom, why couldn’t they bring the prom to her? They got in touch with Karissa’s friends and her sister, Kylie, to work out the details. They wanted it to be a surprise, so that meant a few days of planning and covering their tracks. They invited Karissa’s date and her friends while hospital staffers worked to convert the pediatrics classroom into an impromptu dance hall.
“She’s stubborn and I’m honest, so it was so hard to keep the secret!” Kylie says.
On Saturday afternoon, nurse Alaina Sparkman and Kylie led Karissa down to the classroom, where she was shocked to find six of her friends.
Karissa was joined by her date, sophomore Chase Hall, and five friends who made the trip to Springfield before heading to the prom in Joplin.
“When she walked in, her reaction was priceless,” Kylie says. “She’s had a hard week; I just feel so blessed to see her so happy.”
Pediatric patients and staffers joined the teens as they spent the afternoon dancing and enjoying the prom atmosphere. As evening approached, Dr. John Carlile dropped by with a catered meal for the group.
Karissa, who will likely get to go home later this week, says the staff members in Pediatrics were amazing, even before going the extra mile to put together a special event.
“Alaina always checks on me and she’s so awesome – I’ll miss her,” she says. “I appreciate the staff so much, they’re really a big family here. It just brings tears to my eyes that they did all this.”
To see more photos, check out CoxHealth's Facebook page.
Friday, April 20, 2012
'Green' changes help protect the environment
In celebration of Earth Day (Sunday, April 22), it’s time to take stock of the ways CoxHealth is working to protect the environment. Over the past several years, CoxHealth had made a number of changes that have reduced waste and encouraged recycling and energy conservation throughout the health system.
In conjunction with CoxHealth’s Engineering, Environmental Services and Materials Management departments, we’ve been able to:
• Install an environmentally friendly floor covering on the hospital’s skywalk
• Switch to “greener” paper towels in restrooms throughout the hospital
• Expand the usage of concentrated, environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals that reduce the amount of water used in industrial floor scrubbers
• Recycle cardboard, paper and metal from throughout the system.
• Connect lights in areas that are not occupied 24 hours a day to motion sensors, allowing them to be off when no one’s around.
• Work to phase out CRT monitors for computers and replacing them with energy-saving flat-screen monitors.
• Modify bed-change policies to reduce the total amount of linens washed and the amount of water used.
Most recently, we’ve added aluminum and plastic recycling, managed by volunteers from throughout the system who are passionate about recycling and are pitching in to help make recycling a reality for their departments and four our guests.
A few tips on how you can help the environment, courtesy of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, can be found here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/earthday.pdf
Indoor/outdoor bike workshop teaches basic biking concepts
Experienced cyclists and those just getting started can attend a Bicycle Workshop 9-11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 5, at CoxHealth Fitness Centers North, 1423 N. Jefferson, in Springfield.
This one-of-a-kind seminar consists of indoor and outdoor segments designed to give participants a full understanding of basic biking concepts.
The indoor session will include a presentation about riding and riding styles, and participants will have the opportunity to practice biking basics on a CoxHealth Fitness Centers stationary bike. During the outdoor session participants will use their own bikes to practice turning and stopping techniques on an obstacle course; learn clipping in and out and shifting gears; and will bike a short ride to experience hills, intersections and road etiquette.
There is a $15 fee for CoxHealth Fitness Center members, and a $25 fee for non-members. Space is limited. Call 269-3282.
This one-of-a-kind seminar consists of indoor and outdoor segments designed to give participants a full understanding of basic biking concepts.
The indoor session will include a presentation about riding and riding styles, and participants will have the opportunity to practice biking basics on a CoxHealth Fitness Centers stationary bike. During the outdoor session participants will use their own bikes to practice turning and stopping techniques on an obstacle course; learn clipping in and out and shifting gears; and will bike a short ride to experience hills, intersections and road etiquette.
There is a $15 fee for CoxHealth Fitness Center members, and a $25 fee for non-members. Space is limited. Call 269-3282.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Meet a few of the staffers honored at this year's banquet
Tonight CoxHealth employees will make history with our largest ever awards banquet. More than 1,000 employees and their guests will gather at University Plaza Convention Center to celebrate 13,470 combined years of service of our honorees and recognize our team members for winning Daisy and Prestigious Partners awards.
While the years of service of our special guests are truly appreciated by CoxHealth, it is the tremendous care and compassion shared during careers of up to 55 years that has made CoxHealth such a tremendous place for care and employment. Our CoxHealth team clearly has made a difference in the community we call home. Please join all of us in saluting our long-serving team members and award winners on this very special day.
Chris Cruzan
Pre-Hospital, 30 years
Q: When you started at Cox, how long did you expect to be here?
A: The first day I was here, I knew I wanted to retire from here. It was a perfect fit of my personality and their personalities. It felt like it was home. The personalities jibed well and I still feel that way. People I met 30 years ago at North, I see them in the halls now and it’s like 30 years ago was last week – we haven’t missed a beat. I couldn’t have found a better fit than working here.
Q: What motivates you in your daily work?
A: There are a lot of people out there who need our help and I’m glad to be the one to provide it. Every patient I see, whether it’s a good call or a bad call, I thank them all and I wish them well. And, especially if I was driving, I ask them how the ride was; I’ve done that for 30 years.
Q: Is there a day that stands out in your career?
A: Assisting in a childbirth on a very cold afternoon in 1988 or ’89 at highway MM and U.S. 60 near Republic. That was one of the calls I’ll never forget. We were in the right place at the right time. There was the potential of a not-so-good outcome, but I was with an experienced partner – Mike Dawson – who made it look easy. It was like, “this is what it’s all about. This is it.”
Q: What advice would you have for people starting out their careers?
A: If you enjoy what you do, that’s what you need to keep your focus on. You can’t do this job 24/7, 365. I’ve known too many people who started their careers doing that. I’ve found myself doing that. You have to focus on your career, but when it’s time to clock out, it’s time to forget about it until you clock back in, otherwise you’ll burn out. A lot of people at Cox have figured that out and they’ve been doing their jobs a long time.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: Music has always been my escape; I love it. I have an extensive CD collection at home and over the years I saw a lot of concerts at the Shrine Mosque and the old Hammons Center. Any time I’m seeing somebody on stage, I’m having a good time. Back then, Three Dog Night was my band; I saw them many times. Even now, if I’m driving down the road and a Three Dog Night song comes on, I’m cranking it up.
Cindy Bourey
Accounts Payable, Cox Monett, 20 years
Q: What is your favorite part of working at Cox Monett?
A: I have made so many wonderful friends over the years. Because I work at a small hospital, I have had the opportunity to really get to know my co-workers and their families. I can’t believe I have worked at Cox Monett for 20 years.
Q: What is the most important thing you’ve learned working here?
A: I have learned many things from working here, but the most important to me are the friendships I have made. I have witnessed firsthand how generous my co-workers can be when there is an employee in need. We truly are like family.
Q: What originally drew you into accounting?
A: I was already working at Cox Monett part-time as an assistant in Human Resources when this position came open. I was really interested in learning something new. Over the years my duties have changed a little, but I enjoy the challenges and experience that comes along with this position.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: I love to be with my family. My husband and I have two daughters, ages 27 and 22. We have also been blessed with a three-year-old grandson. We love the time that we get to spend with them. We also enjoy riding our Harley-Davidson. I have also recently become a big fan of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR). My favorite place to vacation is anywhere there is a beach.
Q: What’s your radio tuned to right now?
A: My radio usually stays on a classic rock station. I enjoy all kinds of music, but it doesn’t get much better than the old time rock n’ roll.
Janet Andrews
MRI, Cox Monett, 10 years
Q: What is your favorite part of working at Cox Monett?
A: It may sound cliché, but I truly like the small hospital setting and how I can come into work with morning greetings and those who know more about me other than “she works in MRI.” I have worked at Cox in Springfield, which was a great place and I learned a lot, but nothing beats a small-town atmosphere where it seems your co-workers are more like family.
Q: What do you like best about your job?
A: I like the challenges in MRI but the biggest blessing I find is that I get to work with supportive, fun and intelligent friends.
Q: What is the most important thing you’ve learned from working here?
A: That two heads are better than one. When things aren’t working right, it’s best to troubleshoot with others. Everyone’s strengths and weaknesses are different, and I find the greatest success is when we can utilize each other to get the best result.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: My husband and I operate a part-time archery shop from our home which keeps us plenty busy. We love to travel and especially like to visit national parks. We also like to cycle (when we have the free time), and I am a huge social butterfly, so I like spending time with friends and family.
Q: What are you reading or watching right now?
A: I like a good sappy love story, but I also like a true-life lesson book. If I get lucky and have control of the remote, I enjoy funny sitcoms or “The Voice.”
While the years of service of our special guests are truly appreciated by CoxHealth, it is the tremendous care and compassion shared during careers of up to 55 years that has made CoxHealth such a tremendous place for care and employment. Our CoxHealth team clearly has made a difference in the community we call home. Please join all of us in saluting our long-serving team members and award winners on this very special day.
Pre-Hospital, 30 years
Q: When you started at Cox, how long did you expect to be here?
A: The first day I was here, I knew I wanted to retire from here. It was a perfect fit of my personality and their personalities. It felt like it was home. The personalities jibed well and I still feel that way. People I met 30 years ago at North, I see them in the halls now and it’s like 30 years ago was last week – we haven’t missed a beat. I couldn’t have found a better fit than working here.
Q: What motivates you in your daily work?
A: There are a lot of people out there who need our help and I’m glad to be the one to provide it. Every patient I see, whether it’s a good call or a bad call, I thank them all and I wish them well. And, especially if I was driving, I ask them how the ride was; I’ve done that for 30 years.
Q: Is there a day that stands out in your career?
A: Assisting in a childbirth on a very cold afternoon in 1988 or ’89 at highway MM and U.S. 60 near Republic. That was one of the calls I’ll never forget. We were in the right place at the right time. There was the potential of a not-so-good outcome, but I was with an experienced partner – Mike Dawson – who made it look easy. It was like, “this is what it’s all about. This is it.”
Q: What advice would you have for people starting out their careers?
A: If you enjoy what you do, that’s what you need to keep your focus on. You can’t do this job 24/7, 365. I’ve known too many people who started their careers doing that. I’ve found myself doing that. You have to focus on your career, but when it’s time to clock out, it’s time to forget about it until you clock back in, otherwise you’ll burn out. A lot of people at Cox have figured that out and they’ve been doing their jobs a long time.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: Music has always been my escape; I love it. I have an extensive CD collection at home and over the years I saw a lot of concerts at the Shrine Mosque and the old Hammons Center. Any time I’m seeing somebody on stage, I’m having a good time. Back then, Three Dog Night was my band; I saw them many times. Even now, if I’m driving down the road and a Three Dog Night song comes on, I’m cranking it up.
Accounts Payable, Cox Monett, 20 years
Q: What is your favorite part of working at Cox Monett?
A: I have made so many wonderful friends over the years. Because I work at a small hospital, I have had the opportunity to really get to know my co-workers and their families. I can’t believe I have worked at Cox Monett for 20 years.
Q: What is the most important thing you’ve learned working here?
A: I have learned many things from working here, but the most important to me are the friendships I have made. I have witnessed firsthand how generous my co-workers can be when there is an employee in need. We truly are like family.
Q: What originally drew you into accounting?
A: I was already working at Cox Monett part-time as an assistant in Human Resources when this position came open. I was really interested in learning something new. Over the years my duties have changed a little, but I enjoy the challenges and experience that comes along with this position.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: I love to be with my family. My husband and I have two daughters, ages 27 and 22. We have also been blessed with a three-year-old grandson. We love the time that we get to spend with them. We also enjoy riding our Harley-Davidson. I have also recently become a big fan of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR). My favorite place to vacation is anywhere there is a beach.
Q: What’s your radio tuned to right now?
A: My radio usually stays on a classic rock station. I enjoy all kinds of music, but it doesn’t get much better than the old time rock n’ roll.
Mandy Dewitt
Women and Newborn Unit, 15 years
Q: What drew you into nursing and the Women and Newborn unit in particular?
A: I’ve always had a love of family and being able to be a part of that from the beginning. Being a part of those special moments as a family experiences their baby has always been of interest to me and that’s why I got into nursing. In my family growing up, Cox was always the hospital you went to, so I knew this is where I wanted to be. When I first interviewed to be a PCA in Women and Newborn the nurse manager asked me about my long-term goals and I said, “I hope someday to be leading a unit just like this.”
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of the job?
A: My reward is just helping new families learn and understand. Parents are very eager and willing to learn. I enjoy being the person they can depend on for education and advice. So many families have given me as much as I’ve given them. I love new dads and how eager they are. I try to incorporate them as much as possible, since sometimes dad gets lost in the shuffle. I remember when my sister had her oldest child here at Cox. I was in nursing school at the time and they took the time to work with her husband and that was really special to him and it made an impression on me.
Q: What advice would you have for others who are at earlier stages in their careers?
A: Everyone should love their jobs. If you don’t, that is reflected in your actions and the care you provide. It’s not easy, it can wear you down; you can’t care for people if you’re not balanced yourself. You have to love your job to do it well. Whether you’re a nurse or a taxi driver, if you don’t love your job it makes life more difficult.
Q: What are you reading or watching right now?
A: I’m working on my master’s, so the reading is mostly textbooks, but on TV “The Good Wife” and “The Voice” are always on the DVR – they’re the ones I try not to miss. And Chiefs football.
Q: What kinds of things do you enjoy in your free time?
A: My husband, Tatem, and I have two daughters, Emma, 11, and Ashlyn, 9 -- both Cox babies. We like floating and camping and we just started geocaching. I never would have thought something so simple would be so fun; we started just because we were looking for something cheap to do last summer (laughs). I also decorate cakes. My mom is Martha Stewart – she was always making cakes growing up. I wanted to be able to decorate cakes for my kids, so I took lessons. It’s a good stress relief. I’d love to open up a bakery after I retire. Maybe near the ocean – a bakery at the beach!
Women and Newborn Unit, 15 years
Q: What drew you into nursing and the Women and Newborn unit in particular?
A: I’ve always had a love of family and being able to be a part of that from the beginning. Being a part of those special moments as a family experiences their baby has always been of interest to me and that’s why I got into nursing. In my family growing up, Cox was always the hospital you went to, so I knew this is where I wanted to be. When I first interviewed to be a PCA in Women and Newborn the nurse manager asked me about my long-term goals and I said, “I hope someday to be leading a unit just like this.”
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of the job?
A: My reward is just helping new families learn and understand. Parents are very eager and willing to learn. I enjoy being the person they can depend on for education and advice. So many families have given me as much as I’ve given them. I love new dads and how eager they are. I try to incorporate them as much as possible, since sometimes dad gets lost in the shuffle. I remember when my sister had her oldest child here at Cox. I was in nursing school at the time and they took the time to work with her husband and that was really special to him and it made an impression on me.
Q: What advice would you have for others who are at earlier stages in their careers?
A: Everyone should love their jobs. If you don’t, that is reflected in your actions and the care you provide. It’s not easy, it can wear you down; you can’t care for people if you’re not balanced yourself. You have to love your job to do it well. Whether you’re a nurse or a taxi driver, if you don’t love your job it makes life more difficult.
Q: What are you reading or watching right now?
A: I’m working on my master’s, so the reading is mostly textbooks, but on TV “The Good Wife” and “The Voice” are always on the DVR – they’re the ones I try not to miss. And Chiefs football.
Q: What kinds of things do you enjoy in your free time?
A: My husband, Tatem, and I have two daughters, Emma, 11, and Ashlyn, 9 -- both Cox babies. We like floating and camping and we just started geocaching. I never would have thought something so simple would be so fun; we started just because we were looking for something cheap to do last summer (laughs). I also decorate cakes. My mom is Martha Stewart – she was always making cakes growing up. I wanted to be able to decorate cakes for my kids, so I took lessons. It’s a good stress relief. I’d love to open up a bakery after I retire. Maybe near the ocean – a bakery at the beach!
MRI, Cox Monett, 10 years
Q: What is your favorite part of working at Cox Monett?
A: It may sound cliché, but I truly like the small hospital setting and how I can come into work with morning greetings and those who know more about me other than “she works in MRI.” I have worked at Cox in Springfield, which was a great place and I learned a lot, but nothing beats a small-town atmosphere where it seems your co-workers are more like family.
Q: What do you like best about your job?
A: I like the challenges in MRI but the biggest blessing I find is that I get to work with supportive, fun and intelligent friends.
Q: What is the most important thing you’ve learned from working here?
A: That two heads are better than one. When things aren’t working right, it’s best to troubleshoot with others. Everyone’s strengths and weaknesses are different, and I find the greatest success is when we can utilize each other to get the best result.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: My husband and I operate a part-time archery shop from our home which keeps us plenty busy. We love to travel and especially like to visit national parks. We also like to cycle (when we have the free time), and I am a huge social butterfly, so I like spending time with friends and family.
Q: What are you reading or watching right now?
A: I like a good sappy love story, but I also like a true-life lesson book. If I get lucky and have control of the remote, I enjoy funny sitcoms or “The Voice.”
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Jeff Galloway brings his successful marathon training program back to Springfield
More than 200,000 people have trained for distance running using the Jeff Galloway Run-Walk-Run method, and now Galloway is bringing his program back to Springfield thanks to CoxHealth Fitness Centers.
Galloway will kick-off a 6-month training program 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, at The CoxHealth Meyer Fitness Center, 3545 S. National, in Springfield. Participants will complete the program in time to run in the Bass Pro Outdoor Fitness Festival Marathon and Half Marathon.
The Galloway method minimizes time spent in training, reduces injury and fatigue, and has a greater than 98 percent marathon completion rate. The program can be used by beginning runners and experienced runners who want to run faster.
After the kick-off, training sessions will be held 7:30 a.m., Saturdays, April 28 – Oct. 27, at Sequiota Park. (Sessions will start earlier when temperatures rise.) Program participants will receive a Jeff Galloway running shirt and book, once-a-week on-site coaching, discounts at local stores catering to runners and more.
For participants who register June 2 or before, the fee is $99; after June 2 the fee is $120. Returning participants receive a discounted rate of $75. For more information or to register call CoxHealth Fitness Centers at 269-3282.
Galloway will kick-off a 6-month training program 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, at The CoxHealth Meyer Fitness Center, 3545 S. National, in Springfield. Participants will complete the program in time to run in the Bass Pro Outdoor Fitness Festival Marathon and Half Marathon.
The Galloway method minimizes time spent in training, reduces injury and fatigue, and has a greater than 98 percent marathon completion rate. The program can be used by beginning runners and experienced runners who want to run faster.
After the kick-off, training sessions will be held 7:30 a.m., Saturdays, April 28 – Oct. 27, at Sequiota Park. (Sessions will start earlier when temperatures rise.) Program participants will receive a Jeff Galloway running shirt and book, once-a-week on-site coaching, discounts at local stores catering to runners and more.
For participants who register June 2 or before, the fee is $99; after June 2 the fee is $120. Returning participants receive a discounted rate of $75. For more information or to register call CoxHealth Fitness Centers at 269-3282.
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