Governor Mike Kehoe wanted to see “health care in action,” and our teams were eager to deliver.

We were proud to welcome Gov. Kehoe and leadership from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on Monday for a tour of our Cox South Emergency Department and meetings with our Emergency Department and EMS teams.

"This ER is incredible – you see very few that are this comprehensive and that offer this many private rooms,” the governor said during the tour.

The group – which included Sydney Scott, (Policy Advisor for Gov. Kehoe), Sarah Willson, (Director of DHSS); Tim Van Zandt (Deputy Director DHSS), and Ben Terrell (Legislative Director, DHSS) – met with Drs. Bryan Finke and Howard Jarvis; representatives from CoxHealth’s executive leadership; as well as teams in ED communications, trauma, and EMS.

In addition to discussing emergency and EMS care, our leadership teams focused on critical issues like innovation, workforce development, and health care’s vital role in our region’s growth and progress.

We appreciate the ongoing dialogue and engagement with Gov. Kehoe and our state officials.

“It means a lot to our teams – and to our leadership – that the governor would take time to visit and show an interest in the work of health care,” says CoxHealth President and CEO Max Buetow. “Health care is a major driver for southwest Missouri, and we will continue to innovate, collaborate, and be a strong partner in the region’s future.”