Direct Line from Steve Edwards: 10/1/21

Oct. 1, 2021

COVID-19 update

We currently have 65 patients with COVID in our hospitals, a number we have not seen since mid-June. Another piece of good news is that our symptomatic positivity rate is at 8.43% for the last week. We hope that these trends continue in a positive direction, but are still prepared should the number of cases go back up, especially as we enter respiratory season.

This week, the CDC released an alert highlighting the importance of COVID vaccinations in women who are pregnant. The alert shares a great deal of information, but here are two important sentences: “CDC strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination either before or during pregnancy because the benefits of vaccination outweigh known or potential risks. As of September 27, 2021, more than 125,000 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in pregnant people, including more than 22,000 hospitalized cases and 161 deaths.” We urge women to consider vaccination for themselves and their families, and stress that the benefits greatly outweigh any potential risks which are very limited. To read the full alert, click here.

Employee vaccinations continue

As of this week, around 85% of CoxHealth employees have received at least one dose of COVID vaccine, a deferral or an exemption. For comparison, just around 50 of our employees out of 12,500 have resigned due to the universal vaccination policy. We now have two weeks left until the Oct. 15 deadline, after which anyone who is still unvaccinated will be placed on administrative leave. We want to use that time to learn more from these employees about their barriers to being vaccinated, and if there is anything we can do to alleviate the issues. Regardless, we are on track with other hospitals in the progression of this process, and are confident that this number will rise in the coming days.

New program director of Cox Family Medicine Residency

We are pleased to share that Dr. Shelby Hahn has been chosen as the next program director of the Cox Family Medicine Residency. He will assume the role from Dr. Kyle Griffin, who has decided he wants to spend his time teaching our resident physicians. We are grateful for these physicians’ service, and are glad that they will both continue to use their talents to benefit doctors who will serve our communities.

Leadership changes

This week, we announced two significant leadership changes. As of Jan. 1, Genny Maroc, vice president of Clinical Services, will retire and Darren Bass, president of Cox Monett Hospital, will take over her role. Genny will then serve as interim president of Cox Monett (a role which she previously held) while a search begins for a new president. I greatly appreciate their dedication to our patients and communities. Combined, they have given more than 50 years of service so far through health care!

Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame

We want to celebrate Dr. Pat Dix, who will soon be inducted into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame. Dr. Dix has been a key member of our team for many years, and has made a significant impact on countless families throughout the region. For more information about her work and selection for the hall of fame, click here.

SBJ Health Care Champions

There is good news to celebrate with the announcement of this year’s list of SBJ Health Care Champions. CoxHealth’s Jennifer Ruit, LPN; Kenneth Goodman, radiology technologist; and Abby Strickfaden, pharmacy technician are being recognized this year as leaders in the region. Additionally, it’s an honor that CoxHealth has been named Provider of the Year.

Voice of the Patient

From feedback at Cox Medical Center Branson’s Emergency Department: “The doctor explained my test results and treatment plan so that I understood what was happening to me and how the medications would help.”

Thank you for all you do,
Steve