Direct Line from Steve Edwards for July 19, 2019

Salute to First Responders

Today marks the start of our fourth annual Salute to First Responders, where we recognize our first responders for their work in serving the community. A lunch was held at Cox Branson in their honor, and all first responders throughout the community were invited to attend. Given that this is the first anniversary of Branson’s horrific duck boat disaster, it was especially fitting to recognize the individuals who help in such emergencies.

Other Salute to First Responders events will be held in Springfield, Lamar and Monett in the coming weeks. Click here for more information.

Springfield passes Tobacco 21

At Monday’s Springfield City Council meeting, members in attendance unanimously passed Tobacco 21. This legislation will raise the legal age to purchase tobacco and nicotine products within city limits from 18 to 21.

Given that more than 95% of all smokers started before age 21, and 95% of all smokers over the age of 25 regret they started, this is a huge step forward for helping protect the health of kids and young adults in our community. We hope that this decision will help other communities in our area to do the same.

Thank you to all of you for your support in this matter, and for helping our community understand why this was the right thing to do.

CoxHealth at Home to launch July 29

In the coming weeks, three longtime CoxHealth affiliates – CoxHealth Home Support, Oxford HealthCare and Home Parenteral Services – will be combined into one service line, CoxHealth at Home.

CoxHealth at Home includes home health care, home medical equipment, infusion services and a specialty pharmacy. The specific services will remain the same; the CoxHealth departments will just be organized under one umbrella and their names will change.

We’re excited about this transition, as it will help patients have an even more integrated experience through their entire continuum of care. This transition will be effective July 29. You will begin to see signage changes in the community this summer.

CoxHealth begins medical assistant apprenticeship program

CoxHealth is launching a medical assistant apprenticeship program that gives participants a salary while attending classes, and tuition for the classes themselves – and the chance at a job after successfully completing the program. The 16-week program is open to anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent.

We’re fortunate to work with OTC for the seated portion of this program. The college is a great partner in growing health care talent locally!

Back-to-school drives at CoxHealth

In July, CoxHealth is collecting school supplies in connection with its Charity of the Month program. These drives are taking place in Springfield, Branson, Monett and Barton County and benefit underprivileged children throughout the Ozarks.

CoxHealth in the news

KOLR-10 interviewed a CoxHealth expert on how individuals can stay safe during extreme heat.

Information about CoxHealth’s medical assistant apprenticeship program was shared in a story on KOLR-10.

The Springfield Business Journal reported on the announcement of CoxHealth at Home, which was announced on Monday.

Voice of the Patient

"We went to the outpatient lab, and my 9 year old was so nervous about it. The man that took his blood was so understanding. He talked to my son and calmed him down. He did his best to get his mind off of the needle but at the same time telling him what he was doing. He made it fast and easy and I really appreciated it."

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

Steve