At CoxHealth, we are committed to serving our community in ways that reach new heights. This past Labor Day weekend, that commitment took to the skies at the inaugural Branson Wings of Pride Air Show.

While our caregivers are serving patients and families each day, we also look for opportunities to bring people together across the Ozarks, the region we are proud to serve. The air show was a powerful example of that. We joined with our employees, local veterans, families from Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth, and thousands of community members for a weekend of inspiration, celebration, and connection.

Health care is fueled by people who combine science, skill, and dedication in service of others. At CoxHealth, we are committed to inspiring the next generation to pursue purpose-driven careers, and seeing the expertise and teamwork on display at the airshow was a meaningful reminder of that mission.

Kyle Brown, our Vice President of Marketing and Communications, reflected on the event in a recent blog post, sharing gratitude for the veterans honored, the children inspired, the families brought together, and the employees who made it all possible.

On Labor Day weekend, our community experienced something truly special with the inaugural Branson Wings of Pride Air Show. As I think back on the event, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude — not just for the awe-inspiring performances in the sky, but for what the airshow represented on the ground: community, service, and connection.

As the presenting sponsor, CoxHealth was honored to play a role in bringing this event to life. One of the highlights for me personally was welcoming more than 100 children and family members from Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth to experience the magic of the airshow. Watching the excitement in their eyes as they met pilots, stood beside the United States Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team, and looked up as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels painted the sky was unforgettable. Moments like these remind us why we do what we do: every child deserves to feel celebrated, supported, inspired, and cared for.

The Wings of Pride Air Show also carried a deeper purpose — honoring veterans and investing in the future through STEM education. As someone who has the privilege of working alongside many colleagues who have served our country, I was especially moved by the recognition given to veterans throughout the weekend. Their courage and sacrifice are woven into the fabric of our organization, and it was powerful to see our community come together to honor them in such a meaningful way.

Equally inspiring was the air show’s focus on STEM. At CoxHealth, we know the importance of creating pathways for the next generation of innovators and caregivers. Through partnerships like The Alliance for Healthcare Education, we see firsthand the impact of investing in young minds and helping them explore purpose-driven careers in science and health care. Seeing the air show elevate this same mission — sparking curiosity and imagination in the next generation — was a perfect alignment of values.

I am also deeply grateful for our own CoxHealth team members who came together to support this event in so many ways. From our EMS team, Cox Air Care team, and CoxHealth’s Time Critical Diagnosis Center team, to our recruitment team, fitness center team, marketing and communications colleagues who captured amazing photography and video, and countless volunteers — including leaders from across the organization — it truly was a team effort. The time, energy, and heart our employees put into helping represent CoxHealth at the air show made me proud, and it was a powerful reminder of the strength and dedication that define our people.

Another moment I’ll treasure was the opportunity to join the mayor of Hollister and leaders from across the Ozarks to formally welcome the Blue Angels to our region. It’s a tradition at every major air show they attend, but standing there together, shoulder to shoulder with community leaders, made me proud of the way our region comes together to celebrate service, excellence, and community spirit.

And of course, this event was also about connection. It was a joy to spend time with fellow CoxHealth employees and their families outside of our day-to-day work — to laugh together, share stories, and watch our kids look up in amazement. The air show didn’t just bring our team closer. It brought the entire Ozarks community together in a way that felt uplifting and unifying.

On behalf of all of us at CoxHealth, thank you to KC Aviation for bringing this mission-driven event to life, to the City of Branson and the many volunteers who made it possible, and to the veterans, families, and children who inspire us every day.

The Branson Wings of Pride Air Show reminded us that when we come together — in service, in celebration, in community — the sky is truly the limit.

Reflecting on the Branson Wings of Pride Air Show