CoxHealth's First Case Study Competition to Build the Next Generation of Health Care Leaders

April 16, 2026 Press Releases, Blog

At CoxHealth, we are committed to education and supporting the next generation of health care experts and leaders. Last week, that commitment was on full display at our first Case Study Competition, hosted by Drury University. 

Kyle Brown, our Vice President of Marketing and Communications, reflects on the event below, sharing the inspiration he saw firsthand from students, and sharing gratitude for the higher education institutions who helped make the event possible. 

A First-of-Its-Kind Competition With a Regional Impact

The future of health care showed up in the room last week, and it was collaborative, curious and ready to challenge how we think. 

What stood out most wasn't just the ideas. It was the energy — the way a group of students from different schools, backgrounds and disciplines came together around a shared purpose. When that kind of alignment happens, it quickly becomes more than a competition. 

We had the opportunity to co-create a regional case study competition in partnership with Drury University, bringing together students from Missouri State University, Evangel University, Ozarks Technical Community College and Drury. Each school brought different perspectives, experiences and ways of thinking. 

That range of perspectives wasn't just a feature of the event. It was the foundation of it. 

A cross-disciplinary challenge rooted in real health care problems 

The case itself was designed to reflect the reality of health care today. It wasn't confined to one function or area of expertise. Students approached it from business, marketing, analytics, IT and health care administration, all working toward improving both the patient and employee experience. 

Because this is how real challenges show up in health care, and how the best solutions are formed. The strongest ideas didn't come from one discipline, but from how those perspectives came together, challenged each other, and built on one another. 

Competition and collaboration: a rare and powerful combination 

Equally notable was how participants engaged with one another throughout the experience. While it was competitive, the environment told a different story. 

Students encouraged each other, shared ideas, built connections across universities, and celebrated the work as a whole. They learned from each other in real time, not just within teams, but across them. That dynamic elevated the entire experience. 

There was a level of respect, gratitude, and grace in how they approached the competition. That combination of competition and collaboration is rare, and it's powerful. It also reflects what's possible when people are intentionally brought together in the right way. 

And that doesn't happen by accident. 

What strong leadership looks like in action 

Experiences like this require leadership that is willing to invest time, show up and create opportunities for others — not just to learn, but to contribute. To be part of solving real challenges and to see how their ideas connect to something bigger. 

When leaders truly lean in, it changes the dynamic. It's not just about sponsoring an idea, it's about being present, listening, asking questions and creating the right space for others to engage. It's about providing the stage, not owning it. 

It means making time for mentorship, offering guidance and context, and working alongside students in a way that builds confidence and capability. It also means leading by example — showing what it looks like to collaborate, stay curious and remain open to new ways of thinking. 

Just as important is the willingness to learn in return. 

When different perspectives come together, they generate better ideas, stronger collaboration, and more meaningful innovation. That's where progress happens. 

Event Hosts: CoxHealth and Drury University Leadership

Why investing in students matters for the future of health care 

What took place in that room goes beyond a single event. It contributes to student growth, strengthens our community, and helps build a more connected and capable workforce pipeline across the region. Ultimately, that shows up where it matters most — in better patient experiences, stronger support for employees and a more sustainable future for health care. 

The future is bright. But it's not something we can take for granted. It's something we have to continue to invest in, support, and build together. 

I'm excited to see where this goes next, as we build on this foundation and continue to evolve it in the years ahead, creating even more opportunity for students and our community. 

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