Newsroom CoxHealth staff name the 'Top Moment' of the past year Posted by Randy Berger on April 14, 2021 After four rounds and thousands of votes cast, our colleagues have named our “Top Moment” of the past year.In the final round, “No Layoffs Despite the Financial Challenges of the Pandemic” narrowly prevailed over “Construction of the COVID-19 Unit.”The Top Moments poll helped CoxHealth staff members take a look back at all we have accomplished in the past year.CoxHealth President and CEO Steve Edwards reflected on the past year in a recent employee forum."It has been the proudest year of my career to be surrounded in this organization by people who found their mission and their cause," he says. "This organization has served the community in ways none of us could have imagined and I am really proud."Reflecting and rankingCoxHealth’s Corporate Communications and PR teams gathered a list of 28 examples of how our people have lived our vision to be the best for those who need us.Every one of those moments could have been named the best of the best.To make the list more manageable and give staff opportunities to discuss among themselves, we divided the top moments into four divisions. We set up rounds of voting to narrow the list each week in a March Madness-style tournament.We asked staff to consider: Which moments had the biggest impact? Which ones made you most proud? Which ones best demonstrate who we are as CoxHealth?Our Final FourAfter the first few rounds, staff members narrowed the choices to a final four:Construction and expansion of the COVID-19 ICU at Cox South.Senior leaders and physician leadership provide ongoing and transparent communication recognized around the country to keep CoxHealth and our communities informed.No layoffs despite financial challenges brought on by pandemic.Effort to keep displaced staff working in other jobs during shutdown of services.“Construction of the COVID-19 ICU” edged out “Senior leader communication” and “No Layoffs” pulled ahead of “Efforts to keep displaced staff working during shutdowns,” leading to our championship round.28 moments that defined the last yearBelow is the full list of Top Moments:Division ASuccessful Cox Monett campaign, Foundation raised $7 million for new hospitalCoxHealth’s School Care Program for 250 of our kids at The Meyer CenterLaunch of the Heroes Work Here campaign (external ads, internal signage, campus signs/artwork)COVID-19 vaccinations for employeesConstruction and expansion of the COVID-19 ICU at Cox SouthLaunch of CoxHealth’s first Hospital at Home programAddition of first security K9 units funded by CoxHealth FoundationDivision BNew CoxHealth SAFE appOpening of the new Cox Monett HospitalEffort to keep displaced staff working in other jobs during shutdown of servicesConstruction and opening of super clinics in Nixa, Ozark and Monett; groundbreaking on facilities in Republic and Battlefield/65Launch of mass vaccination sites for communityExpansion of telehealth to support virtual clinic visits for patients due to COVID restrictionsBuild-out of the third floor in the West Tower at Cox SouthDivision CCompletion of $6.6 million Cox College renovation fully funded by Foundation fundraising campaignEmployees make thousands of facemasksCoxHealth/OTC Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program graduated three cohorts totaling 39 students in 2020 and all have positions at CoxHealthSenior leaders and physician leadership provide ongoing and transparent communication recognized around the country to keep CoxHealth and our communities informed.Minimum wage adjustment ($4 million)Market wage adjustments ($8 million)Appointment reminder system implemented improving connectivity with patients and broader patient communicationDivision D$1.1 million Healthcare Heroes fund for employee supportExpansion of remote work capabilitiesNo layoffs despite financial challenges brought on by pandemicRecord-setting PPE effort, with enough N95s to last years at the current burn rateLaunch of Amanda Belle’s FarmOpening of the Cardiovascular Observation Unit (fourth floor)Unprecedented $3.1 million investment in COVID Emergency Leave to provide economic relief to our employees who contract COVID