A year ago, Andrea McKay, her husband John, and their small dog Jim packed up their lives and moved 1,162 miles from Wyoming to Missouri to start a new journey. After accepting the position of President of Cox Monett Hospital, McKay, a senior health care leader with more than 26 years of experience, returned to the Midwest, where she was raised. Read on to learn more about McKay as she reflects on the numerous successes, difficulties, and chances that have come her way over the past year.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹? I absolutely love the people at Cox Monett! I am so impressed with the caliber and knowledge of the team that works throughout the hospital and other CoxHealth facility locations. When I first joined the team a year ago, department leaders all said the same thing: We are family here and we take care of one another. It is the people that make the difference. Because of the people, it is a joy to come to work every day.

𝗜𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱, 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘅 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘁? Collaborative. The health system is actively rolling out a new strategic direction and five-year vision that includes a service line orientation to build upon our health care offerings. This type of approach requires an enormous amount of trust and teamwork. Because we are experts at collaboration, Cox Monett will thrive and excel in supporting this vision.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱? We have a thriving community with a diverse population. Knowing the diversity of languages and cultures expanding in our service area, we have the opportunity to be more sensitive of how we communicate about our services and provide healthcare, educational activities, and opportunities.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲? Similar to what families are experiencing around the country, our overall costs are increasing. It is important that we do not let expenses outpace our income. Provider recruitment challenges are real and hit close to home. In addition, there are multiple issues we are working through including 340B drug pricing, legislation, broadband/telehealth access, workforce shortages, and access to primary care.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁? Rebuilding the anesthesia team with the outstanding providers we currently have has been a big success. This action is opening the door for the introduction of new specialties for our community.

𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆? I joined the Kiwanis Club, participated in Leadership Monett, and I am now serving on the board of the Monett Area Chamber of Commerce. These groups have opened doors and given me opportunities to get to know the locals and resources available. I have visited the YMCA, the downtown boutiques, the new library, and I really like hanging out in the Monett South Park. The lovely park is a wonderful place for my husband and I to have lunch and stroll with our small dog. The Ozark Festival Orchestra is one of my favorite neighborhood events. You are missing a wonderful cultural experience if you have not enjoyed their performances. If performances were offered weekly, I would attend.

Andrea McKay: A reflection of my first year as hospital president