Direct Line From Max Buetow For 12/2/22

Dec. 2, 2022

Flu and respiratory season update

A busy respiratory season is now underway, and we are seeing rising influenza numbers as well as an uptick in COVID-19 cases and RSV.

As of Thursday, our Springfield hospitals had 27 COVID-positive inpatients, seven pediatric RSV patients and 26 influenza patients. The influenza numbers are more typical of what we would normally see in February, making it clear flu season is here and is likely to peak much earlier than normal.

While our teams are managing the patient volumes, we want our community to be aware of the situation and understand how this season will affect us in health care. It is our job to plan for the worst, so we are taking a proactive stance to be prepared for the possibility of all three illnesses hitting us hard this winter.

If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to get your flu vaccine. We partnered with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department in a community update on Thursday to raise awareness about influenza and the importance of vaccination.

I am incredibly grateful for the planning skills we developed during the pandemic that continue to benefit us as we have daily conversations about managing rising levels of patients.

While we will manage the busy season as we always have, I ask that the public be patient with us. We will continue to give our community our best each day.

Celebrating our teams, and the CoxHealth spirit

I got to spend some time this week serving meals to our colleagues as part of our systemwide celebration of our Modern Healthcare “Best Place to Work” ranking and the Magnet status of our Springfield hospitals.

I was part of the team that served “lunch” to the overnight shift at the Cox South cafeteria, and I was lucky enough to work alongside my friend James Snider.

I’ve worked with James before, but it was something else entirely to see him in action Wednesday night. He works both the front and back of the house during overnight meal service, doing a bit of everything from cleaning and food prep to running the cash register. James is the kind of person that everyone knows, and everyone appreciates, and he truly embodies the spirit that sets CoxHealth apart.

He told me that his motivation is simple: He knows how hard our teams work, and it means something to him to make sure they get a good meal.

While he has the support of the Food Services team, and he is eager to give credit to others, he says he sees himself as an “army of one,” stepping up to take responsibility for the full scope of work. No matter the night, he is dedicated to bringing his best effort to everyone he serves. I love the level of ownership James has over his attitude and actions — he really takes pride in the role he plays and the way he is able to serve others.

Working the night shift is a great reminder that out hospitals never sleep. It is comforting and sobering to know that there are always people here, on point and doing their best.

James is an outstanding example of that. I feel good knowing that each night, our teams are in good hands with James.

And what makes me feel even better is knowing that there are colleagues with the same spirit across our system. Those who give everything they have to their team and to the patients we serve.

Their spirit and determination have helped us earn the honors we celebrated this week, and their example is an inspiration to all of us as we strive to do our best for those who need us.

Young professionals bring a new perspective

This week, I was able to gather with the CoxHealth Young Professionals Council — a group of community professionals who advise our management team. The council always offers me a fresh perspective and challenges me to think differently.

This week, we spoke about the importance of communication, both with the community we serve and internally as we work to provide care. I am so impressed with the way the Young Professionals Council members think differently about technology and about workforce. The way they are running their businesses is different, and there is much to be learned from their perspective.

We are so fortunate to have the Young Professionals Council members, and I appreciate their engagement and how they push us to be better.

New video: Examining the health care landscape

In our latest video, I got the opportunity to sit down and talk with Jake McWay, chief financial officer, and Dr. Tim Jones, president of Cox Medical Group. It was so insightful to hear their perspectives on the state of health care.

Navigating through — and thriving in — the constantly changing landscape of health care will require all of us to be open to change. As we head into a time of unknowns, it is so important for CoxHealth colleagues to be equipped to support one another. Watch our conversation at this link.

A note of thanks

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and were able to enjoy time with family and friends. This is a wonderful season for all of us to remember how much we have to be thankful for.

For me, it is a great time to reflect on my personal family and my work family. Those are two of the things I thank God for the most often. I hope you all take time this week to remember how grateful and thankful we are for the people in our lives.

Thank you for all you do,

Max