Direct Line from Steve Edwards for 12/27/2019

Leadership changes

I am pleased to announce the promotions of three CoxHealth leaders, all which become effective Jan. 1. Charity Elmer will advance from Senior Vice President General Counsel to Executive Vice President General Counsel. Dr. Tim Jones will advance from President of Cox Medical Group to Executive Vice President of CoxHealth and President of Cox Medical Group. Jake McWay will advance from Senior Vice President and CFO to Executive Vice President and CFO.

Missouri Governor visits CoxHealth on Christmas Eve

We were happy to host Missouri Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson at Cox South on Christmas Eve as part of their statewide visit of hospitals. Governor Parson met with patients and thanked staff who cared for him three years ago when a heart issue required quick intervention. Governor Parson said via Facebook, “Because of dedicated medical personnel and hospital staff, families across Missouri might get a Christmas miracle – just like we did.”

Pioneering physician retiring

In 1985, Dr. Kathleen Graves was Springfield’s only female OB/GYN. In January, Dr. Graves is retiring from CoxHealth after nearly 35 years of service. Dr. Graves looks back at some of the changes she has experienced in this profile.

2020 Innovation Accelerator set for January

The fifth annual CoxHealth Innovation Accelerator is set for Jan. 29 and 30. This week, organizers announced the list of 50 employees and providers who were chosen for the event, out of more than 100 applications. The event allows staff from all levels of the organization to discuss and conceptualize ways that the system could be more innovative.

Voice of the patient

From a Senior Adult Psych Unit patient thank you note: “To Dr. Chowdhury, Dr. Witty, social worker Claudia B​., all of the nurses, psych techs, and recreational therapists. Y'all saved me from taking my life. I feel so much better than when I first came here. Life is worth living. Ya'll are angels in disguise. Thank you so much.”

Thank you for everything you do to support our patients and our community,

Steve