A @MissouriChamber Foundation apprenticeship program is transforming lives — and strengthening healthcare across our state. At CoxHealth, 588 graduates like Kristen Blum and Tilly Ritzheimer are building meaningful careers through “earn while you learn” opportunities. We’re grateful to the Missouri Chamber Foundation, Sen. @RoyBlunt, @OTCedu, and our many partners who have helped make these opportunities possible. Together, we’re investing in people, strengthening our workforce, and helping shape the future of healthcare.

St. Louis Children’s at CoxHealth is pleased to announce that Matthew N. Alder, MD, PhD, a highly regarded pediatric critical care physician, has been named the inaugural pediatrician-in-chief and chief medical officer at St. Louis Children’s at CoxHealth. He is also a WashU Medicine voluntary clinical professor of pediatrics. Dr. Alder’s new role advances a collaboration between St. Louis Children’s Hospital and CoxHealth — supported by the expertise of WashU Medicine pediatric physicians — to expand access to pediatric specialty care across southwest Missouri. Dr. Alder will oversee the joint venture’s pediatric services at the new St. Louis Children’s at CoxHealth, the only independently licensed pediatric hospital in southwest Missouri. St. Louis Children’s at CoxHealth, which opened March 1 within the walls of Cox South, includes an advanced neonatal intensive care unit, a pediatric intensive care unit, and inpatient pediatric care. “Dr. Alder brings broad experience in pediatric critical care medicine across diverse intensive care unit settings and care teams to his new role, where he also will coordinate and direct strategic initiatives for pediatric specialty care,” says Dr. Paul Scheel Jr., vice chancellor for clinical affairs at WashU Medicine, CEO of WashU Medicine Physicians and president of WashU Medicine & BJC HealthCare Physician Provider Organization. Dr. Alder previously served as an attending physician in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at Cox Medical Center South and is board certified in pediatric critical care. His leadership will be integral to the new, 133,000 square-foot outpatient Specialty Care Center, scheduled to open in 2027 on the Cox South campus. The Center will feature ambulatory surgery, imaging, laboratory services, infusion, pediatric specialty care clinics, and more. Specialties will significantly expand access to advanced pediatric care with the addition of cardiology, hematology, oncology, ophthalmology, surgery, and urology. Read the full release: spr.ly/6019B6KDnz

On a cold Monday in our critical care unit, a simple question changed everything: Could we host a wedding so a mom in comfort care could witness her daughter’s big moment? Our nurses, leaders, a local decorator, photographer, and Food Services team came together within hours to create a beautiful, love‑filled ceremony at Cox Medical Center Branson. Eighteen family members gathered. Makenna and Brett said “I do.” And Leanne, with a front-row seat, saw every moment. This is what caring for families truly means — listening, honoring, and saying yes when it matters most.