Back to back! Cox Medical Center Branson recently earned its second-straight "A" grade for hospital safety from The Leapfrog Group! The Leapfrog Group is an independent national nonprofit watchdog that focuses on patient safety. Cox Branson also earned a Leapfrog “A” in fall of 2024. “Earning another Leapfrog ‘A’ is a testament to our team’s daily dedication and focus on providing the best care for the residents and visitors of Branson,” says William Mahoney, senior vice president of Community Hospital Group and president of Cox Medical Center Branson. “I feel deeply proud of our team members who make Cox Branson a trusted pillar of our community and region.” Leapfrog assigns traditional letter grades to hospitals nationwide based on more than 30 performance measures that reflect hospital safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the spring and fall. “Cox Branson’s second top grade in a row is a highlight for our system’s safety journey,” says Dr. Shawn Usery, senior vice president and chief medical officer for CoxHealth. “We’re grateful for our teams who make us the best for those who need us.” To explore Cox Branson’s full grade details, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. (fb)

Every one of us has a “why” behind our service — and this week you’ll get to hear a few of those stories, in our colleagues' own words! Meet Shannon Longstreet, Patient Care Manager at CoxHealth Urgent Care Nixa: "I am currently the manager at Nixa Urgent Care and previously worked at Turner Urgent Care. I also have a background in orthopedics, neurosurgery, medical telemetry and post-anesthesia care (PACU). During the COVID-19 pandemic, while working at a different hospital, my unit merged with several others to accommodate the influx of patients. These included gastrointestinal/genitourinary, trauma and cardiac units. "My connection to CoxHealth began at a young age. When I was 10, I experienced concerning symptoms that led me to see Dr. David Lafevers at the CoxHealth Clinic in Branson West. After several tests, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Arrangements were quickly made to transfer me to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, for treatment. "Throughout the years, my providers, nurses, technicians and other staff went above and beyond to deliver the best care possible. They always put the patient first and treated their work as both meaningful and vital. Dr. Lafevers continued to follow up with me during my treatment and even offered guidance as I explored different areas of health care while choosing my career path. He was a genuine person who made patients feel like friends. Even at 10 years old, I knew I wanted to be just like Dr. David when I grew up. "My experience as a patient has given me valuable insight and perspective as a nurse. Each shift, I remind myself of Dr. Lafevers’ wise words: “Have a great day, do good things, have fun, learn lots and be a decent human being.” "Since starting my nursing career, I have earned my medical-surgical nursing certification and orthopedic nurse certification. I’ve participated in multiple clinical ladder programs, presented at CoxHealth’s LEARN program, and served as a member of both the Unit-Based Committee and the Nursing and Therapies Research Council. I’ve also received multiple DAISY Award nominations." (fb)