Honoring our physicians, for all the ways they serve patients, students and our community

Tuesday night, I had the privilege of attending an event hosted by our colleagues at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Each year, they take time to honor the commitment made by our physicians and medical staff in training the next generation of doctors at the MU School of Medicine.

MU’s Faculty Appreciation Dinner is always meaningful to me, because I get a fresh perspective on the ways our physicians step up to share their talents with our community.

I am fortunate to regularly find letters on my desk and voicemails in my inbox articulating what a wonderful job our physicians do in providing clinical care to our patients.

Just last week, a patient shared a letter detailing the compassionate care he received in our cardiovascular ICU. His care team of physicians and nurses provided the clinical expertise you would expect, but they did something additional. They delivered that quality care with encouragement and compassion – truly supporting their patient as a person.

I know that compassion flows directly from the caliber of people who are drawn to serve in health care. As our physicians took the stage to receive their awards Tuesday night, I was struck by how each speech reflected humility, strength and a depth of character.

This year, ten awards were given to local physicians, and I felt an immense sense of pride when eight of the awards went to CoxHealth doctors. While it’s not a competition, it felt like a personal win because I know many of the honorees and could share stories of how they have impacted my life and career.

I loved hearing about the way they have invested in medical students, inspiring them to push through a very difficult time in their lives, while helping to increase their passion for the profession. Through their dedication, they have taught students both clinical skills and invaluable life lessons.

One award recipient, Dr. Molly Greenwade, shared a particularly moving story.

Dr. Greenwade talked about losing a loved one in the midst of a busy surgery schedule. She described the aftermath of caring for patients while grappling with her own personal sorrow, and also being in a position where she had to step up and teach at the same time.

What I loved most was the fact that she wasn’t there to tell us that it’s all possible, but that it’s OK to feel like you are being stretched at times.

Her message was a powerful reminder that physicians are human, too, and it echoed the themes of resilience and self-compassion that Dr. Tim Woods emphasized in his recent discussion on mental health and burnout in the medical field.

In sharing her story, Dr. Greenwade expressed the fullness of what a great physician brings to the table. Great physicians bring leadership, compassion, care and camaraderie – all above and beyond the clinical.

Throughout the evening, I was struck by the multifaceted way our physicians contribute through the depth of their leadership, not just in clinical care but in every aspect of the organization. They are leaders within their departments, service lines, and across the organization as a whole.

Looking around the room, I saw both newer physicians and long-standing colleagues, many of whom I consider dear friends. I know that if I ever needed their help, I could reach out at any time and they would be there for me, just as I would for them.

This event reinforced that our physicians mean far more to us than just the care they provide — they embody the values that make CoxHealth a special place to work and receive care.

In this week of national health care recognition following Doctors’ Day, I am proud to work alongside this group of incredibly confident, capable, and compassionate clinical leaders.

It is humbling to know that they are at the table, helping to make the key decisions that will guide our future. For that, I am extremely grateful.

Thank you for all you do,

Max

Direct Line From Max Buetow for 4/4/2025