Direct Line from Max Buetow for 11/4/22

Nov. 4, 2022

Gratitude for gathering, and connection

Next week, our leaders will come together for our Leadership Summit for the first time since the pandemic began.

While I am eager to unveil our strategic plan, I am just as excited about the simple act of coming together, in person, with our team. There is something special about sharing laughs, smiles and making a human connection.

The pandemic put those opportunities on hold, for good reason. Now, I am thankful to see all of us taking more time to reconnect with one another.

Gatherings – large and small, formal and informal – connect us to each other at our core, they let us see one another as who we are, rather than what we do. When our teams spend time together, we are reminded of how many multifaceted, talented people make up our culture.

So much of work is viewed as transactional or completing tasks. It can be difficult to make those connections when we just see each other as colleagues, rather than friends.

As I round, I am proud to see so many departments where co-workers have formed strong bonds and are as tightly knit as any family.

I recently served as a guest judge at “The Great Biomed Bake-Off,” a departmental event at Cox South. You might not expect the best lemon pumpkin bread you ever had in your life to come from a Biomed technician who is built like a linebacker, but that is among the many surprises you will find.

What I loved most – even more than the desserts – was getting to be at a table with 20 people, hearing about their families and their passions.

It is such a treat to interact with our colleagues and get to know the people behind the job. When you have the chance to be with those who are both colleagues and friends and hear about their lives outside of work, you learn a lot about our culture.

We don’t just get to work alongside incredible colleagues, we get to be alongside truly incredible people. That reality continues to light my lamp each day.

As we head into a season of thanks this month, I want all of you to join me in being more intentional about connecting with one another, and highlighting the ways we all contribute to CoxHealth’s success.

This is the perfect season to show gratitude, and to make sure everyone in our organization feels like they belong. I want to thank everyone who has done this for me, and I want to encourage all of us to continue to do that for one another.

In the coming days, please take time to connect with your CoxHealth colleagues and meaningfully say “thank you” for the essential contribution they are making.

It may seem like a small gesture, but when we take the time to truly connect with people at their core, and let others connect with us, it makes a brighter day for us all.

Relaunching our staff training at the Center for Professional Development

As we return to more in-person activities, I am excited that we are reintroducing two key training efforts for our teams.

Details are still being finalized, but our Center for Professional Development team will be expanding in-person Systemwide Orientation for new employees in January. In addition, we will be relaunching our LEADs leadership development training for CoxHealth leaders.

I am so impressed with the CPD team. They are a group of career educators whose passion shines through their work. I am excited to see our leaders and new team members ride the wave of their energy and experience to new heights!

Expanding mammography services in Ozark

We recently added mammography services to our CoxHealth Ozark Clinic, offering patients in Ozark and in surrounding communities a screening location close to home.

“Mammograms save lives, and we’re thrilled to make it more convenient for patients to be screened,” says Susan Smith, manager of The CoxHealth Breast Care Clinic. “When patients receive a mammogram at the Ozark Clinic, our team at The Breast Care Clinic will review their results, giving patients the same expert care closer to home.”

Previously, mammography services were only offered at hospital campuses. The Ozark Clinic is our first location outside of a hospital to offer regular and 3D mammograms.

I am proud of the ways our clinic teams continue to improve and expand to best fit the unique needs of our communities. Be watching for more expanded services in the future!

Election polling site at Cox South on Nov. 8

Cox South once again will serve as a central polling site for Greene County registered voters this Tuesday, Nov. 8. Any Greene County registered voter is welcome to join us to vote in Foster Auditorium from 6 a.m.-7 p.m.

Having a voting site on campus gives our colleagues, patients, and visitors the opportunity to exercise their right to vote with ease. You can see more information on Greene County voting at this link. I appreciate the efforts of Teresa Coyan, our vice president of public affairs, for putting this together!

Voice of the Patient

Adapted from inpatient feedback at Cox Branson: “This was the best care I ever received in a hospital!”

Thank you for all you do,

Max