Direct Line From Max Buetow For 4/14/2023

April 14, 2023

Evolving care in the heart of Springfield

We took the next step in the evolution of care in our community Monday, with the opening of a new clinic and urgent care at Sunshine Street and National Avenue. The new services – located in a facility known as the Hamra Center – will bring patients a convenient experience with better access to care in the heart of Springfield.

The project is a shining example of the way our caregivers and our service lines come together to be the best for our community – not just in the present but for the future.

In our strategic plan’s ambition statement, we focus on making decisions centered on our patients, and this facility helps us take that approach to the next level.

The Hamra Center’s ground floor is home to CoxHealth’s largest urgent care, while the second floor houses our Advantage Care clinic, which serves patients over age 65.

I love how we are providing a new space that gives our senior care team all the tools they need to build on their legacy of great work for our patients. The Advantage Care clinic offers a multidisciplinary approach that streamlines care.

For our senior-care experts like Dr. Melissa Gaines, the clinic is a dream come true.

“We work tirelessly to provide high quality care and we want to be a one-stop shop for patients over 65, from urgent needs to picking up medical equipment,” Dr. Gaines says.

The Advantage Care clinic features teams from a variety of disciplines, such as pharmacy and social work. Patients can have consultations for CPAP devices and other medical supplies on site. In addition, the clinic will offer a team-based approach for services like dementia therapy and cognitive therapy, as well as special meeting space for support groups and offerings for seniors.

Having a team approach is key to our goal of improving access to high-quality care. There is a bit of paradox in that improving access will mean seeing more patients in the same amount of time, while high-quality care may require spending more time with patients. The team-based model helps close those gaps.

“We have big, lofty ideas for where we can go with senior care, and this is the launching pad for a lot of those things,” Dr. Gaines says.

At the ribbon cutting on Monday, I was so glad to look around the room and see all the support – from our board, community leaders, donors and more. I was honored to help recognize Sam and June Hamra, who have united with CoxHealth in contributing to this facility. I appreciate the Hamras coming alongside us for this project, and I am proud to have the Hamra name associated with CoxHealth’s legacy.

I also want to extend my thanks to local community leaders who supported the project and to Rod Schaffer, our vice president of facilities management, who led the project. It is amazing to see what the vision of these individuals has done for us.

I am so proud of the way we are improving access by bringing this facility to one of Springfield’s busiest intersections. I can’t deny it: My heart skipped a beat on Monday when I pulled into the parking lot and saw the CoxHealth flag flying at the entrance to the Medical Mile.

I know our outstanding care teams will thrive in the new space, and I can’t wait to see what is ahead as we take care for our community to the next level.

You can see drone video of the Hamra Center at this link.

First look: New CoxHealth brand campaign ads

This weekend, we are launching the next phase of our “it’s the right thing” brand campaign on TV and radio.

Our new commercials put the focus on our incredible teams, and they celebrate both our Magnet and five-time Best Place to Work recognitions. They highlight our commitment to our teams, as well as our colleagues’ commitment to their patients.

You can check out the new spots here:
Magnet recognition
Five-time Best Place to Work

The 32nd Annual Medical Mile and 5K Run/Walk

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth is getting ready for our annual “Med Mile” run and walk. The event will be back in person this year alongside the CoxHealth Kids Health and Safety Fair! It will be the perfect opportunity for some exercise and a fun-filled day for the whole family. The kids can burn off some energy at the fair, while we adults can try to keep up with them after we burned all of our energy in the 5K!

100 percent of proceeds from this event benefit your local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and the children we collectively serve.

I hope to see you there! Below are the event details:

Med Mile – register here
The Meyer Center – Fitness Center

• 8 a.m.: Mile Run/Walk
• 8:30 a.m.: 5K Run/Walk

Kids Health and Safety Fair
Ferrell-Duncan Clinic, West Parking Lot, 9 a.m. to noon

Voice of the Patient

Adapted from inpatient feedback at Cox Springfield: “Having worked with physicians, I realize how time is a luxury. They are constantly busy. The doctors I encountered were approachable and receptive. Even with them running from one task or person to the next, the doctors I encountered were willing to stop and answer the couple of questions I had. Kudos!”

Thank you for all you do,

Max