SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3/News Release) — CoxHealth and St. Louis Children’s Hospital have officially agreed to extend their reach into pediatric services within southwestern Missouri. This pact comes after the two entities initially committed to collaboration through a memorandum of understanding back in May 2024.
CoxHealth and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, leveraging the skills of pediatric experts from Washington University School of Medicine, plan to join forces to offer enhanced healthcare options for children and their families in Springfield and nearby areas. This partnership aims to decrease the necessity for lengthy trips to receive specialized treatment. Their initial steps involve greatly increasing pediatric inpatient facilities by establishing a dedicated pediatric hospital inside CoxHealth premises. This setup facilitates closer cooperation between WashU Medical practitioners and St. Louis Children’s Hospital staff members as well as supports the building of an all-encompassing outpatient facility featuring ambulatory surgeries, pediatric specialist clinics, diagnostic imaging, lab tests, and infusion treatments. These improvements collectively aim to boost accessibility to top-tier medical and surgical interventions locally.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital and WashU Medicine stand out as top providers in pediatric healthcare,” stated Max Buetow, president and CEO of CoxHealth. “We’re thrilled about collaborating to increase accessibility to specialized pediatric services for hundreds of thousands of kids living here. It’s also rewarding that our shared goals match what our local community wants—providing care right where they live and turning Springfield into a key medical center in this area.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital stands out as one of the leading facilities for pediatrics nationwide. It boasts a team comprised solely of WashU Medical Center’s pediatric experts and forms an integral part of BJC HealthCare, which ranks among the biggest non-profit healthcare organizations in the U.S., based in St. Louis.
There is a significant demand for top-notch specialized pediatric care in our area,” stated Rich Liekweg, the CEO of BJC Health System. “Enhancing accessibility for those who require medical attention is an essential aspect of what we do at BJC. We are delighted to collaborate with CoxHealth as we join forces to broaden and revolutionize pediatrics for families not only in Springfield but also further afield.
Through collaboration, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and CoxHealth will enhance pediatric care in southwestern Missouri via these primary efforts:
Improved access:
A separate facility exclusively designed for pediatric outpatients, including surgical procedures and specialized clinics, aims to keep families closer to their homes, thereby minimizing the necessity of traveling far for medical attention. This new center is set to be positioned at 851 E. Primrose Street, adjacent to Cox South Hospital. Presently, construction preparations are being made, with plans aiming for its launch in 2027.
Advanced care:
The pediatric specialty and NICU inpatient care in our area will improve via stronger cooperation with WashU Medicine clinicians and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Specialty providers:
Washington University Medicine plans to attract and keep pediatric experts to care for children in southwestern Missouri.
WashU Medicine has utilized its widespread recognition both nationally and internationally to attract and develop exceptional pediatric specialists who comprehend the distinctive healthcare needs of children,” stated Dr. Gary Silverman, Head of WashU Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics and Chief Pediatrician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “Through this new program, we aim to extend our approach by offering top-tier specialized care using world-class expertise, thereby enhancing local accessibility for families in southwestern Missouri, guaranteeing each child gets personalized attention.
During the autumn of 2024, CoxHealth administrators gathered insights from parents, community participants, nearby healthcare providers, and influential locals via gatherings and open forums aimed at grasping the requirements and hurdles faced by families pursuing advanced pediatric treatment. It became evident that there was strong agreement on one point—the area urgently requires robust pediatric services. In response, both CoxHealth and St. Louis Children’s Hospital have joined forces to guarantee that top-tier pediatric care is accessible for all youngsters and their families throughout the region.
Today marks an exhilarating moment for kids and their families throughout southwestern Missouri,” stated Trish Lollo, President of St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “This partnership between St. Louis Children’s Hospital, CoxHealth, and Washington University School of Medicine will significantly transform child healthcare locally, enhancing the well-being and daily experiences of countless families within our area for many years ahead.
To report an error or spelling mistake, kindly send an email.
digitalnews@ky3.com
Please make sure to add the article information in the subject line of your email.
Leave a Reply