Direct Line with Steve Edwards: March 12, 2021

Reflecting on a year with COVID-19

365 days have come and gone since the first patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 at CoxHealth. In some ways, it feels like the year has disappeared incredibly fast; in other moments, it's difficult to believe it's only been that long.

Some moments we reflect upon bring a bittersweet joy, such as coming together for the common good, and seeing what we can collectively do as a health system when there is risk to our community. That spirit, however, also brings mourning when we pause and reflect on the sadness that has permeated our society. Even one life lost to COVID-19 was too many.

In many ways, we know life will never be the same.

The pandemic isn't over, and it won't be for some time. Yet, this seems like an opportunity to pause, and remember some of the things that have transpired over the past year. To watch a short video listing some of these moments, please click here.

This list includes many things that can be described as “projects completed.” But we feel that the efforts over the past year are more than this: They're of the ability to be innovative and find new ways of working. To break past what's considered possible. To find new ways better serve our employees, our patients, and our communities.

DAISY Award honorees

We are honored to have amazing nurses at CoxHealth, and a number of these special individuals were recognized with our most recent DAISY Awards. These awards, presented in medical facilities throughout the United States, are part of a national program to recognize the education, training, skill and compassionate care nurses provide. We are excited to celebrate these honorees, and you can click here to read their stories.

Systemwide employee forums

This week, we held a series of virtual systemwide forums for our employees. While we have had employee forums in person for many years, and have also had virtual updates for specific groups in recent months, this was the first time all 12,000-plus employees were able to join together virtually to hear general updates and have their questions answered in real time. The response from employees has been positive, so we anticipate we will continue this type of communication in the future.

Watchman Flx

We announced the start of the Watchman Flx, a new procedure at CoxHealth, to treat patients with atrial fibrillation. The addition of the procedure was led by Dr. Philipp Wiesner, one of our Interventional Cardiologists. We are grateful for him and his leadership, and the impact it will have for patients across our region.

New providers
Other growth was seen in the northern part of our service area through the addition of a new general surgeon at Cox Barton County Hospital. Dr. Michael Steele is now seeing patients at the hospital, and has a wide range of experience and a heart for working with patients in rural areas. Additionally, seven new providers joined CoxHealth in February to expand capacity in Sports Medicine, Cardiology, and in our Emergency Department at Cox South.

Voice of the Patient

“I can’t say enough about how well the nurses took care of me while I was there -- excellent all the way around on the 9th floor.”

Vaccine Voice

“Just want to shout out a BIG "THANK YOU." My husband and I received our first COVID-19 shots yesterday over at Meyer Center and ever person we came in contact with was so very, very, nice/helpful/kind. I cannot say enough good things about your whole health system​.”

Again, thank you for all you do. The past twelve months have been a trying time and a great test, but I believe in the end, we will come out stronger because of it.

Steve