Direct Line from Max Buetow for 6/10/22

June 10, 2022

My commitment to CoxHealth, and to you

When Steve Edwards started Direct Line, the goal was simple: give our Board of Directors and community leaders a weekly look inside what is happening at CoxHealth. Over the years, it has become a key communication tool. Direct Line, like so many things started by my predecessor, is a tradition I am proud to continue.

As I step into my new role, I can’t tell you how many hugs and pats on the back I have gotten in the last few weeks. People stop to tell me: “You have big shoes to fill, but we are here to support you. We are going to do it together.”

As a CEO, you feel a sense of immense responsibility. You want to make sure you are giving everything you can for our patients and our employees.

It means so much to me to have the support of our teams and know that we are in this together. I have never felt an environment anywhere else in my professional career where people are so willing to sacrifice of themselves to help the people around them succeed.

CoxHealth is at an important intersection as we carry on the work of those who have come before us. I am confident in the leaders we have in place and am eager to work on our objective to deliver the highest quality care, characterized by compassion, collaboration, and convenience.

CoxHealth will meet this objective by being the easiest place for our employees to do the right thing, perform at the top of their abilities, and enjoy a fulfilling career. We will set clear and courageous goals while exhibiting the focus and discipline necessary to achieve them.

Our choices will be bold, and this will demand we fail at points in our journey. We will use these lessons to refine and adapt our strategies and ultimately move forward with a renewed sense of commitment and confidence. Ultimately, we will bring together our individual talents and energies to produce exceptional results for those who need us the most.

I commit to leading with integrity, humility, and compassion, putting the interests of our patients and organization before my own. I will work to gain and maintain your trust through honest and transparent communication. I will seek the wisdom of others and encourage open debate. I will embrace your constructive criticism. I commit to creating clear expectations and a culture of accountability, always holding myself and our team to the highest standard. I am determined to relentlessly remove barriers (processes and people) standing in the way of those pursuing excellence.

I have asked that our teams take ownership of CoxHealth’s culture and the role they play in helping us live our shared Mission, Vision, and Values. I admire individuals who identify and eliminate perceived barriers to stellar performance and reject the complacency born from accepting excuses. I want all of our teams to be ready to push outside their comfort zone and be willing to fight for elegant solutions!

I thank all of you for your support of CoxHealth and I pledge to selflessly serve this organization as so many exceptional leaders have before me.

Thank you for all you do,

Max