Direct Line From Max Buetow For 7/12/2024

July 12, 2024

Working for their ‘why’ – new employee orientation

One of my favorite parts of employee orientation each week is when I get to take a few questions from our newest colleagues. Sometimes groups are quiet, and if I want to get the conversation going, I ask them the question Steve Edwards asked my orientation class on my first day: What is your “why” for coming to work at CoxHealth?

It’s amazing how many hands go up in the room. Health care draws people passionate about their “why,” and I love hearing the variety of unique motivations that bring people here.

This week was a particularly emotional set of stories, which reminded me of how much all of our work and our actions matter to those we care for and those we work alongside.

There were stories shared about how a family member, or they themselves, received care at CoxHealth.

One new colleague told me that she remembers being six years old, with her mom in the hospital at Cox South. At that young age, she began dreaming of growing up to be a caregiver. Now, she has fulfilled her dream of being a nurse, and she is working in the very hospital where her mom received care. It is powerful to know that her entire dream grew from a seed planted by the way our teams made her family feel while they were under our care.

Others this week told stories of family members and influential people in their lives who worked at CoxHealth and took pride in making CoxHealth part of their lives.

I met a woman whose grandmother built her entire career with us. For another young woman, this is her first job. Her mom has worked as floor nurse at Cox South for 20 years. She told me that throughout her life, she has been able to visit her mom at work, and it always felt like an extension of family.

Near the end of our time, a young lady shared an experience that reminded me of who we are as an organization.

She had been through some challenging life experiences, and she was having difficulty getting a steady job. She is currently pregnant, and she felt sure that was causing her to be passed over for interviews and opportunities. Then, she interviewed with our team at Cox Medical Center Branson.

“The entire group embraced me from the very beginning,” she said. The team she will be working with includes a group of ladies who are ready to be strong, supportive mentors.

She told me: “They made me feel seen and valued as a person.”

That was a stop-you-in-your-tracks moment for me, seeing her sharing why she has come to work at CoxHealth with such emotion.

At CoxHealth, she found not only a place to work, but a place to be seen and to truly belong. I am grateful for her heart for service, and I am so proud of our outstanding colleagues who are welcoming her into her new role.

There are so many unique reasons that draw professionals into health care, and I walk out of orientation each week inspired by the individual stories of how people have chosen to make CoxHealth a part of their life’s work.

The people who come to CoxHealth have a prominent why and connecting with them as they join our team is one of the most rewarding parts of my role.

Their passion is often the highlight of my week, and I am already looking forward to next Monday’s orientation!

A special shoutout to our orientation team: A special thank you to Melisa Colvin from the Center for Professional Development (CPD), who leads our orientation efforts. Each week, when I get to do the Q&A with her, I feed off her strength in this role to be able to be at my best as well. With her passion and energy, every week feels like the first week! I appreciate Melisa and the CPD team who keep a fresh, energizing environment and ensure that our team members have a great first experience!

Inside the economic development work of Missouri Partnership

I have a passion for economic growth and growth for our region, and I was glad to sit down recently with a powerhouse in the field: Subash Alias, CEO at Missouri Partnership.

Missouri Partnership is a public-private economic development organization that helps bring new business to our state. Clif Smart, former president of Missouri State University, currently serves as the partnership’s chair.

I had gotten the chance to meet Subash through my service on the Hawthorn Foundation executive committee. I know that people I admire Subash, so I asked if he’d be willing to get coffee.

As expected, talking with him is like talking to an old friend. He is able to be extremely professional and personal at the same time – a skill born out of a genuine interest in people.

I enjoyed the chance to get a better understanding of the work Missouri Partnership does to fuel economic growth in our state.

And I appreciated getting to be a voice for CoxHealth and for our region in terms of how we value economic growth and how important it is to our future.

We talked about projects like Leaders for Ozarks Region Evolvement (LORE). LORE, which is dedicated to improving quality of life and attracting a skilled workforce in our region, is just getting started. It was interesting to hear from Subash’s lens where we may face some challenges, and it was helpful for him to see how our private sector is playing an active a role in things like placemaking and workforce development.

It is an exciting time to work on the relationships and collaborations that will move our region forward. I am grateful for the work of groups like Missouri Partnership, Hawthorn Foundation, LORE, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and more.

On Aug. 7, the Hawthorn Foundation will host a lunch here in Springfield. If you’d be interested in attending and seeing more behind the scenes of how the private sector can get involved with economic development for our region, please reach out to me directly.

In the meantime, you can see more on these organizations at the links below:

The Hawthorn Foundation

Missouri Partnership

LORE

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce

A cup of coffee with Rhett Roberson

I had a great time sitting down and talking with Rhett Roberson for his 52 Cups of Coffee series!

For anyone who knows me, you know that meaningful, fulfilling conversations are my favorite way to learn. Rhett asked fun and interesting questions that kept me on my toes in the best way.

He did start by comparing me with Amanda Hedgpeth, our Chief Operating Officer, and that is a high bar to meet! (You can see Rhett’s 52 Cups interview with Amanda here).

I appreciate everything Rhett is putting into this series. It is a gift to have these insights into community leaders. It reflects the culture of our community that so many leaders have taken the time to have a cup of coffee with Rhett and share their stories.

You can see our full conversation at this link. Thank you for being kind enough to include me in this series, Rhett!

Voice of the patient

Adapted from patient feedback at Cox Branson: “I received wonderful and caring support from everyone at CoxHealth. I could not give higher praise and thanks to CoxHealth.”

Thank you for all you do,

Max