When was cox hospital founded

The CoxHealth Foundation also raises funds to ensure the best facilities and technologies are available in our region. To align with this mission, the CoxHealth Foundation has a focus on meeting the needs of the medically underserved.

Additionally, the CoxHealth Foundation also works to promote health professions and raises funds for scholarships to assist in the education of our future caregivers.

Thanks to our donors, CoxHealth is privileged to provide an accessible, comprehensive range of integrated health care services that are responsive to the needs of our patients and community.

Due to the generosity of Mrs. Ellen A. Burge, Burge Deaconess Hospital opened its doors to the sick and infirm in That was the year the woman who eventually deeded her home to the hospital board became our first Philanthropist for Life. The bed, three-story hospital would receive a boost during the heart of the Great Depression when Dr. John Howard Nixon donated an additional 40 beds.

But near the end of despair had spread and the hospital floundered. The decision to shut down appeared imminent. In , Burge would be renamed for the philanthropist who helped provide Springfield and the Ozarks with the quality health care we have come to know today as CoxHealth. These generous people and many others over the years have answered the call. Today, that legacy continues as we prepare to meet the health care needs of our community for this generation and those to follow.

Cox was asked to join the board as chairman with a goal of bringing the hospital back into sound financial ground. Lester E. Cox continued to help the hospital and school until his death in The dormitory and classrooms still used by Cox College were built while Lester E. The School of Nursing was one of Mr. In , the hospital name was changed to Lester E. His father, Lester E.

Lester L. It was during this time he married his college sweetheart, Claudine Barrett. Cox had seen his parents Lester E. He became equally involved and served on the board for Burge Hospital for 20 years, and was elected chairman of the board of the newly minted Lester E. He served as chairman of the board until his untimely death in December Like his father, Lester L.

He was instrumental in changing the Burge School of Nursing from a diploma program to a degree-granting institution. On April 20, , the Lester L. Her house became Burge Deaconess Hospital. The hospital opened its doors on Thanksgiving Day and almost immediately began serving patients to its full capacity.

She purchased the adjoining lot and helped finance the building of a three-story brick hospital in , remaining involved as president of the board and serving the hospital for the rest of her life. After many years of growth, the hospital experienced financial strain and was on the verge of closing by Local businessman and community leader Lester E.

Cox became involved. Cox felt that money had two main benefits beyond sustenance — providing opportunity for others and bringing people happiness.