Direct Line from Max Buetow for 8/5/22

Aug. 5, 2022

Ask the expert: Rod Schaffer on branding our facilities

A couple of weeks ago, I was honored to participate in the ceremony placing the final beam on our next clinic at National and Sunshine. It is an exciting time to see CoxHealth adding a clinic in the center of our city.

Now, the entrance to what is known as “the Medical Mile” will feature both CoxHealth and Mercy flags. That is a symbol of what health care means to this community. We are blessed to live in a city where health care is the hub. We know that every time we push to make ourselves better, our industry peers will do the same. That competition breeds improvement, and our community benefits.

As we watched the final beam being lifted into place, I was reminded of how CoxHealth has developed an identity that is conveyed through our facilities. All around our region, people know the look of a CoxHealth building.

Whether you are at a hospital or a clinic, the look and feel of our facilities makes it clear that you are at CoxHealth, and you can expect the great care we provide.

That unified visual brand was a vision of my predecessor, Steve Edwards, and our vice president of facilities, Rod Schaffer.

“Good design communicates that you are going to meet a client’s expectations,” Rod says. “People see how you take care of your facilities and that sets the impression for how we will take care of them.”

Rod took a few minutes this week to talk with us about the importance of design in the health care experience. You can see his insights on CoxHealth.com.

A five-star rounding visit in Branson

Last Friday, I spent the day rounding at Cox Medical Center Branson, one of our two five-star hospitals. As I walked through the facility with William Mahoney, I was struck by how much pride people are taking in the designation. That satisfaction is well earned. We are an organization that has two five-star hospitals, and we are so proud of that.

William and I continued to seek out the “pebble in your shoe” problems - things that seem small but can make a big difference. We found several, from cancer center staff needing an ice machine for their infusion patients, to a registration team in need of new, more comfortable chairs. William acted quickly on these and other items to ensure that our staff and patients are having a five-star experience.

I am proud of everything our Branson teams have accomplished, and I am grateful for all they continue to do as we strive to be the absolute best we can be as an organization.

Welcoming two new physicians to CoxHealth

We have recently brought two new physicians to the CoxHealth team, both of whom will help us make progress in key areas of care.

Dr. Hannah Bergman brings a new expertise that we’ve never had in Springfield. She's a craniofacial surgeon and will treat cleft lip and cleft palate, as well as the entire spectrum of pediatric plastic surgical conditions. You can read more about Dr. Bergman here.

Dr. Hasan Bit-Shawish is a medical oncologist and is already seeing cancer patients at our Branson Cancer Center. You can read more about Dr. Bit-Shawish on Cox Branson’s Facebook page.

Election polling site at Cox South

Cox South was once again a central polling site for Greene County registered voters this Tuesday. By having a voting site on our campus, it gives our colleagues, patients, and visitors the opportunity to exercise their right to vote with ease. I appreciate the efforts of Teresa Coyan, our vice president of public affairs, for putting this together!

Voice of the Patient

From patient feedback at the Cox Monett Emergency Department: “The doctors were amazing. They were knowledgeable and timely in their diagnosis. They helped me feel hopeful in a time of uncertainty.”

Thank you for all you do,

Max