Direct Line From Max Buetow For 11/18/22

Powerful partnerships at the BJC Collaborative

I recently got to join several of our peer health systems at a meeting of the BJC Collaborative, a group that gathers like-minded organizations to share expertise. Working together, we build economies of scale, share best practices and develop relationships.

The difficulties of the current health care environment make now a great time to have a partnership like the BJC Collaborative. While challenges can seem intimidating, they can be a catalyst for tremendous growth.

CoxHealth was a founding member of the collaborative, and we have gained invaluable insight, cost savings and much more from the partnership over the years. Now, as we chart the way forward, these relationships are more important than ever.

During the visit, I was inspired by the way others are reinventing health care, and it is validating to see how some of the top performers in our field are on a path similar to ours.

A few examples:

• St. Luke’s in Kansas City is reinventing inpatient care by launching virtual care at the bedside. The program allows bedside caregivers to consult with providers, who may be elsewhere in the hospital, or off-campus entirely. In addition, St. Luke’s is expanding “hospital at home” efforts, using virtual support to allow lower-acuity patients to return home earlier and have contact with a provider via a phone or tablet.
• Two peer organizations, Memorial Health and Sarah Bush Lincoln, presented an update on the talent-development pipelines they have developed with school systems, similar to what we have done with the Ozark Innovation Center.
• BJC has developed their own distribution center that is a hub for all supplies used throughout their system. Everything from toilet paper to supplies for their cardiac cath lab now comes from the center. They have taken the distributor out of the supply chain and are now working directly with manufacturers, creating both efficiencies and cost savings.

And just as we were taking notes on their presentations, our peers were learning from our successes at CoxHealth as well. We shared our work on our Medicare Advantage plan, expansions at Cox College, and our new organizational strategic plan.

I appreciate how all of the organizations in the collaborative have studied issues – from workforce to supply chain – and taken an aggressive, proactive approach to find solutions.

That bold thinking is key to our future.

It was amazing to spend time with leaders from like-minded, mission-led organizations, and get the opportunity to learn from one another. Knowing that we are on a similar path as our high-performing peers is encouraging and energizing.

I am excited to have CoxHealth be alongside our peers in the collaborative as we work to build the future of health care. As health systems, we know that when we work together to meet the needs of our patients and communities; we are all better for it.

Celebrating Veterans Day in Branson

There is nothing like being out in the community and connecting face to face with the people we serve. Last week, I was able to do just that as I had the honor of participating in Branson’s Veterans Day Parade.

There was a true sense of pride marching along the route and seeing such a great crowd. I so appreciated seeing the community come together around gratitude for our service members. Although I couldn’t feel my toes from the cold that morning, you could feel the warmth and friendliness from everyone there.

The parade brings together people from all walks of life. You see the young and the old; those who hold positions of power and those who are in need. They are all part of the community we serve, and each one matters to us and our caregivers.

Personally, it was so much fun to be there with many of our staff members who have served. Along the route, people were watching from sidewalks and tops of parking garages. William Mahoney – a Marine Corps vet – took time to toss candy to the upper levels of waiting revelers. He made it his mission that no one was left out.

I watched as Branson nurses spotted former patients in the crowd and walked out to shake hands and say hello. It was eye opening and inspiring to see how they connect with patients so deeply with their full hearts.

I want to extend my thanks to everyone who participated in the parade, and who take the spirit of caring to everyone they meet at Cox Branson each day.

Creating a conversation with a new video series

I have always said that conversations are my favorite way to learn. I love that I get to see different parts of the organization through events and rounding at CoxHealth, and I love the interactions I get to have with our colleagues.

We recently expanded that approach by launching a new video series to highlight conversations with our own experts. These are short, informal videos that give everyone a chance to be in on the discussion, and have some fun, too.

As we roll out our new strategic plan, we know there is change in our future. I want these conversations to help everyone understand where we are headed next, and how we will work together. You can see my conversation with Jann Holland, VP of Marketing and Communications, at this link.

‘Wrap It Up’ is a traditional kickoff to the holiday season

The holiday season is here and my wife, Laura, and I were thrilled to kick it off at the CoxHealth Foundation’s annual “Wrap It Up” fundraiser, which benefits neurosciences and pediatrics at CoxHealth.

Lisa Alexander and her team do a fabulous job on the event, and it feels good to bid on all the great swag available in the silent auction. I bought a toy for one of my sons (I’m not going to give away the surprise), and I love that I am going to get to give this to him, and be giving back.

In a season of giving, I so appreciate everything the CoxHealth Foundation does year-round to encourage giving in our community.

Miracle Week is coming up

Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals at CoxHealth is excited to host Miracle Week at the end of November. Join us Nov. 28 through Dec. 4 as we work to raise awareness and support local children who have received medical assistance through CMN. You will get the chance to learn about inspirational stories and hear interviews with Miracle Kids on KY3, KSPR and The Ozarks CW.

To pledge your support, please call 417-268-3222 or donate now via our secure online form.

Voice of the Patient

Adapted from inpatient feedback at Cox Springfield: “I was very happy with my daughter’s care from all who attended us. She was admitted from the ER, to ICU, then to the neuroscience floor. Her testing and procedures were all done with great care!”

Thank you for all you do,

Max