Temporary assignments offer a new perspective in Branson

In the wake of COVID-19, CoxHealth’s Human Resources team has focusedon reassigning staffers from areas temporarily closed by the crisis. We are sharing a few stories of those staff members in our “Redeployed Heroes” series.

Here is what two Branson team members had to say about their experience:

Meghan Elet, MRI Technologist, Cox Branson:

“I have had the opportunity to work in the cafeteria/kitchen, as well as a door greeter for temperature and symptom checks at the Wound Care Clinic. Both places have been very fulfilling, in different ways.

In the cafeteria, I was able to help deliver trays to the floors for patients, as well as prep food. These shifts have been very humbling to say the least. The staff work very hard and have their own challenges from day to day, and it was eye opening to see how those differ from the challenges I face with my normal job.

At the clinic, it was nice to be able to visit with patients and the occasional family member and hear about their lives and their struggles through this crazy time.

It goes to show that this pandemic is genuinely affecting all of us, in a variety of ways. It gave me more appreciation for all of us here at Cox Branson, and across the system. It's inspiring to see us all pulling together and doing whatever it takes to be there for our patients and our community.”

Nate Manus, Manager, CoxHealth Fitness Center Branson:

“I have worked in a few different locations during this time:  Screening at the entrance to the ED, patient rounding to serve as a visitor during this time of visitor restriction, supervising our exercise room for staff (similar to my normal position as manager of the fitness center), and painting in various locations.

Screening and visiting patient rooms has given me an increased awareness and appreciation of what our nurses, doctors and therapists deal with on a daily basis.

Painting has shown me our environment can effect patient experience. If someone was staying in a room that hadn’t been painted in some time, or was painted poorly,  I can see how they may feel like the facilities are not well cared for, but if they see that even the painting is something that is taken seriously, they may feel more at ease and comfortable in their environment.

In all, doing the various jobs has shown me how we can have an impact on an individual’s stay in our hospital, even if we are not providing direct patient care