Direct Line with Steve Edwards for 5/3/2019

Groundbreaking for the future Cox Monett Hospital

This week, we broke ground on the new Cox Monett Hospital. An estimated 300 people attended the event at the site off Highway 60 of the future 75,000-square-foot, $42 million facility that will be complete in the spring of 2021. You can follow the progressof the construction on coxhealth.com and CoxHealth's social media channels. We received coverage about the groundbreaking from KY3, KOLR, KSMU radio and The Monett Times.

Recruitment statistics

The higher new minimum wage and other recruitment strategies are continuing to prove successful. CoxHealth received more than 4,500 applications in April, more than 1,100 from the previous April.

CoxHealth EMS aids communities in tornado response

CoxHealth EMS responded immediately after reports of homes damaged from tornados this week in the Ozark and Rogersville areas. Crews came in on their own to staff 12 additional ambulance units for the response and to backfill existing units. Crews transported three patients and provided first aid on the scene. EMS Director Mark Alexander said of the response, “It is comforting to know that in a disaster with a moment’s notice, we have the ability to stand an amazing group of professionals ready to address the needs of the community and its citizens.”

CoxHealth grounds team honored for creating healing environment

The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Community Forest Council have recognized the CoxHealth grounds team with the 2018 Missouri Arbor Award of Excellence for landscapes at our facilities that support a healing environment for patients.

Recognitions of note

• Cox Barton County Hospital was named ‘business of the year’ by the Barton County Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Awards Luncheon. Dr. Jeremy Sturgell, medical director of the hospital’s emergency department, was named Health Care Provider of the Year.

• Branson Tri-Lakes News readers voted Cox Medical Center Branson as Best Hospital in this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Cox Branson staff and physicians also won in several categories including best doctor, best primary care, best internal medicine, best cardiologist, best pediatrician, best OB/GYN, best physical therapist, best nurse, best PT program and best physician assistant.

Voice of the patient

“You could never have anyone treat you as good as you are treated here at this hospital. I had a surgery here in 2015. I moved back here for this surgery because I knew the care I would get here.”

Thanks for reading,

Steve