Missouri Hospital Association transmits $2M in grants

The Missouri Hospital Association this week awarded nearly $2 million in grants to 39 hospitals statewide, including four in the area.

CoxHealth's south Springfield and Branson hospitals, Citizens Memorial Hospital and Ozarks Community Hospital are among organizations to receive the association's Grow Your Own grants, designed to help hospitals develop and expand the state's health care workforce, according to a news release.

"Local, targeted programs to build the workforce at Missouri’s hospitals can provide the state’s hospitals a competitive edge in attracting and retaining health care workers in the communities they serve," MHA President and CEO Herb Kuhn said in the release. "Health care jobs sustained Missouri’s economy throughout the recession and will continue to provide excellent opportunities in the future."

With its $50,000 allotment, Ozarks Community Hospital plans to implement computer-based staff training courses and programs for managerial skills, build a simulation lab for patient care staff, conduct an employee survey to measure morale and update its reorientation processes.

Also receiving $50,000 is Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, which is using the funding to improve recruitment, retention and development by adding a new graduate nurse residency program, the release said.

CoxHealth was awarded $91,871 in total funding, with Cox South receiving $42,750 and Cox Medical Center Branson grabbing $49,121.

Cox South has indicated it will use the funding to establish a program to develop management talent. Cox Medical Center Branson will create a graduate nurse intern/residency program, the release said.