Recovering from a ‘widowmaker’

Skaggs Foundation helps retired teacher receive the rehab he needed

At 64 years old, Arliss Stillings appeared to be the picture of great health.

Arliss Stillings is back to his active lifestyle
following a heart attack in October 2015. 

Stillings had retired from 20 years of teaching band and choir but remained active. His days of retirement included caring for two elderly women, helping at a friend’s business, serving as choir director at his church and running his own car detailing business. To maintain his active lifestyle, Stillings had taken the steps to protect his health.

“All indicators showed I was in good health,” he said. “It was great for me because I’d made it to 64 without any issues.”

That all changed one night in October 2015.

Stillings woke up about 3:30 a.m. in excruciating pain - pain he thought was from a gallbladder attack. He and his wife rushed from their home in Forsyth to Cox Medical Center Branson.

It wasn’t until he was heading into surgery that Stillings learned it wasn’t his gallbladder – he was having a heart attack.

“I had 100 percent blockage,” he said. “It’s what they call a ‘widowmaker.’”

In the hospital, Stillings learned about CoxHealth Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center but because Stillings had switched insurance providers in anticipation of soon being eligible for Medicare, his copay for rehab was going to be more than he could afford.

“I went home and thought I could just walk,” he said. “Then, I learned how important the cardiac part of rehab was in recovery.”

Thanks to the Skaggs Foundation cardiac rehab scholarship fund, which covers insurance co-pays when patients could not otherwise afford to attend rehab, Stillings was able to attend all 12 weeks of rehabilitation.

“The scholarship program, that was the only reason I came,” he said. “The best part of the rehab program was the security I felt by being here with all the monitors and nurses making sure I was OK.”

Highly trained nurses and staff worked with Stillings at each session, ensuring he was building strength and endurance while being safe.

“That confidence brought me forward,” he said. “My chest hurt so much after my heart attack and I was so weak. They helped me move forward though and set goals. If I was at home trying to do it on my own, I would have given up a thousand times.”

February is American Heart Month. If you would like to partner with Skaggs Foundation and help people like Stillings receive the care they need, visit SkaggsFoundation.org or call 417-348-8998.

Proactive Substance Abuse Initiative underway in Tri-Lakes Area

Skaggs Foundation, CoxHealth partner for community-wide project

More than 70 area leaders gathered at Cox Medical Center Branson Thursday morning to begin a community-wide discussion focused on how to best address the complex issue of substance abuse in our community.

The stakeholders meeting was part of a project known as the Substance Abuse Initiative. The Substance Abuse Initiative has been made possible by a partnership between Skaggs Foundation, CoxHealth and prevention consultant Dr. William Geary.

"Our end goal is to have a collaborative of community members and professionals who feel comfortable and informed and equipped to be proactive about substance abuse prevention rather than reacting to it,” Dr. Geary said. “Our goal is to equip community leaders with the data and skills they need to oversee a coordinated substance abuse effort.”

“Through this initiative, we will assess the complexity of local substance abuse, determine gaps in current services, identify community resources and make a concentrated effort to best address this complex and troubling issue,” explained Marietta Hagan, who has been hired by CoxHealth to serve as the initiative’s project coordinator.

Dr. Geary has more than 18 years of hands-on experience with helping communities choose, implement and evaluate best practices in substance abuse prevention. He said Stone and Taney counties are in a great position to begin this initiative.

“The overall health of your community seems good, even compared to the rest of the state,” Dr. Geary said. “I’ve been in communities that are in crisis state. This community is not in crisis state. Being in this position lets you focus on where you want to be five years down the road. We hope to help you build on what you already have so that you are not only avoiding a crisis, but you are able to push the envelope and improve quality of life throughout your community.”

Dr. Geary said what impressed him the most during the stakeholders meeting was that nearly 100 percent of leaders who were invited were in attendance Thursday.

“You don’t understand how rare that is,” he said. “That tells me that at least a portion of this community wants to be engaged in this process and that means they are bringing passion with them to the table.”

Those in attendance included leaders from area cities, schools, law enforcement agencies, health departments and more. Missouri Hospital Association President and CEO Herb Kuhn also attended the meeting. He described the Substance Abuse Initiative as a wonderful community-driven model that is bringing all of the right people to the table.

“These are the type of conversations that need to be taking place across the state,” he said. 

“At Skaggs Foundation, our mission is to improve health and wellness throughout Stone and Taney counties,” said Skaggs Foundation President Meghan Connell. “About two years ago, the Skaggs Foundation grant committee was reviewing grant applications and noticed a huge influx of requests for substance abuse projects. We knew there was problem but that really brought it to light. Last November, we awarded a Skaggs Legacy Endowment grant to CoxHealth to spearhead this Substance Abuse Initiative. We believe wholeheartedly a concentrated prevention effort will impact our community today and for years to come.”

The team will be collecting data and conducting interviews as part of a community assessment. A follow-up meeting will be held this spring to review the assessment and plan next steps.

For more information about Skaggs Foundation or Skaggs Legacy Endowment grants, visit SkaggsFoundation.org or call 417-348-8998.

Children’s Smile Center making long-term impact

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions in the U.S. and can impact the  way a child smiles and eats, to school performance, attendance and self-esteem.

Regular visits to a dentist combined with daily brushing are key to preventing tooth decay.

Dental Hygienist Shanna Toler shows off an oral hygiene kit.

Children’s Smile Center provides free, quality preventative and primary dental care for children and pregnant women with active Medicaid. To ensure that between visits children are continuing to care for their teeth, Skaggs Foundation has awarded a $3,100 Skaggs Legacy Endowment Grant to Children’s Smile Center for oral hygiene kits.

The kits include a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and fun timer to help kids know how long to brush.

“The kids that are getting these kits, sometimes it’s the only toothbrush or toothpaste they have,” says Community Relations Director Kristen Reiter. “If we can help them continue to take care of their teeth after they walk out of our door, we are helping them protect their smile.”

“Our goal is to have a long-term impact on their oral health,” explains Executive Director Jackie Barger. “We want to be their dental home and prevent them from having painful dental emergencies down the road.”

In addition to the oral hygiene kit, Children’s Smile Center has also received Skaggs Legacy Endowment Grants over the years for an x-ray machine and sterilization equipment.

“We are so grateful to have Children’s Smile Center caring for some of the youngest residents in Taney and Stone counties,” said Skaggs Foundation President Meghan Connell. “They are providing caring, compassionate dental care and helping the children develop healthy, life-long habits.”

Children’s Smile Center serves a six-county area, with locations in Branson West, Ozark and Aurora.

In 2016, Children’s Smile Center served nearly 6,300 patients, 950 of which were residents of Taney or Stone counties.

Skaggs Legacy Endowment is a restricted endowment fund made possible by a generous gift from CoxHealth in 2013. Since the inception of Skaggs Legacy Endowment, funds have been dedicated to improving access to health care, supporting healthy lifestyles, child and family safety, dental care and mental health.

To learn more about Skaggs Legacy Endowment, how it is impacting our community, or information about applying, visit SkaggsFoundation.org or call 417-335-7340.

Skaggs Foundation awards 27 scholarships to area students

Skaggs Foundation made a $22,500 investment in the future of the health care industry this winter

Spring 2017 Scholarship Recipients

by awarding 27 scholarships to local students pursuing careers in the medical field. The scholarships are for the spring 2017 semester.

Among the 27 scholarship recipients, 20 are employees at Cox Medical Center Branson including Caitlin Dillon and Mairini Morales.

Dillon works at CoxHealth Urgent Care – Branson.

“In July, I graduated as an LPN and in January, I’m starting the 10-month journey to become an RN,” Dillon explained. “Once I graduate, I plan on returning to the emergency department where I 

started my career at Cox Medical Center Branson as an emergency multi-care technician.”

Dillon’s goal is to become a certified emergency nurse and learn to speak Spanish fluently 

Caitlin Dillon works at CoxHealth Urgent Care - Branson

so she may better communicate with the growing number of Spanish-speaking patients. Dillon said she chose a career in health care because the opportunity it provides her to give back to her community.

“Being able to help people heal, that’s an incredible thing to be a part of,” she said. “Having the support of Skaggs Foundation has helped me pursue the most fulfilling career.”

Morales is currently an obstetrical technician in the Women’s Center and working towards a bachelor in nursing degree which she anticipates completing in December 2018.

“I’ve always felt joy when I help others,” Morales said. “As a nurse, you are able to help patients when they are at their most vulnerable time. It is a privilege to care for others.”

Thanks to support from Skaggs Foundation, Morales has been able to pursue her dream.

“When I first returned to school, I didn’t qualify for any type of aid,” she said. “The Skaggs Foundation scholarship gave me the opportunity to begin my journey and make it possible so that I may return to school.”

“At Skaggs Foundation, we believe there is no better way to ensure the health care industry has a bright future in our community than by supporting education today,” said Skaggs Foundation President Meghan Connell.

Since its inception in 2002, Skaggs Foundation has awarded a total of $282,950 to students pursuing degrees in health care.

Students have until March 15 to apply for summer and fall semester scholarships. Summer semester scholarships are limited to spring semester award recipients. 

For more information about Skaggs Foundation or its scholarship program, visit skaggsfoundation.org.

Skaggs Foundation continues the tradition of caring established in 1950 by M.B. and Estella Skaggs who provided the financial support to establish the area’s first community-owned hospital. Today the Foundation, thanks to the generosity of its donors, supports and leads community initiatives that improve health and wellness in Taney and Stone counties.

Branson-Hollister Rotary Club hosts breast cancer raffle

The Branson-Hollister Rotary Club hosted its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Raffle and Auction during a weekly meeting in October. Honorary cancer survivor Betty Nell Tatman spoke about her journey from diagnosis through recovery and cure, urging all to do self-breast exams and have yearly mammogram. She shared that her cancer was discovered during her yearly mammogram.

The event included an opportunity for members and guest to vote for the best dressed in pink/most pink outfit, which was followed by a lively auction emceed by Coach Allan Waller and guest auctioneer Congressman Billy Long, Congressional District 7. The event also included a white elephant auction.

Thanks to the generous support of the Branson/Hollister Rotary Club and its members, a check for $4,225 was presented to Skaggs Foundation President Meghan Connell and Cox Medical Center Branson Cancer Center Director Ben Morris. These funds will help local women receive breast cancer services.

New mobile medical and dental unit delivers care to students

Skaggs Foundation, CoxHealth partner to make new Jordan Valley Community Health Center purchase possible

A new state-of the-art mobile medical and dental unit is now serving Taney and Stone counties thanks to a partnership between Skaggs Foundation, CoxHealth and Jordan Valley Community Health Center.

The unit, which is operated by Jordan Valley Community Health Center, travels between school districts in the two-county area providing free immunizations, well-child visits, sick visits, sports physicals, screening and extensive dental care to qualified children between the ages of preschool and high school. The list of dental services available on board include comprehensive and periodic evaluations, X-rays, restorative care, cleanings, crowns, space maintainers, fluoride varnish applications, sealants and extractions.

The unit, which has been named Hope, went into operation in August and since that time 19 children have received vision screenings, 33 children have been given immunizations and 133 children were provided dental services.

The unit travels to the schools and providers collaborate with school nurses, alleviating many of the barriers parents often face when getting their child care.

“I recently saw an 11-year-old little girl who will require root canals and crowns on all four of her severely decayed front teeth – teeth that have only been present for a few years,” explains Dr. Janis Scott, a Jordan Valley dentist who works on the mobile unit. “The child has Medicaid. She could have routinely been seen at no cost in our clinic right around the corner to prevent these issues, however, she was not seen until we came to her.”

Dr. Scott said having a mobile unit dedicated to Taney and Stone counties allows her and her team the opportunity to provide complete care to more students at more schools.

While Hope is equipped to provide medical and dental care, it is also beautiful, modern and complete with TVs on the ceiling to distract children during procedures.

“The children are seen by a dentist and staff who love children,” Dr. Scott says. “I treat and diagnose every patient like they were my very own. I have practiced dentistry for 15 years and take great pride in my work. I can always spot my fillings by their carved anatomy and polished craftsmanship. I tell you this not to boast, but to assure you that the mobile unit is not only serving a need, it is delivering high quality dentistry in a top-notch environment.”

Funds to purchase the unit were made possible through Skaggs Foundation.

“We are honored to be a part of such an important purchase that will impact the health and wellness of thousands of children in our community,” says Skaggs Foundation President Meghan Connell. “Without the generosity of our incredible supporters, this would not be possible.”

To learn more about Skaggs Foundation, call 348-8998 or visit SkaggsFoundation.org. 

Skaggs Foundation accepting vehicle donations

Instead of spending time and money to sell an unwanted vehicle, it’s possible to turn an old car, truck, boat, RV, various forms of watercraft, ATV or motorcycle into a charitable donation. That donation will go to Skaggs Foundation, an organization that directly addresses health and wellness issues affecting the residents of Taney and Stone counties.

“This is a win-win situation,” says Meghan Connell, president of Skaggs Foundation.  “The donor will receive a tax write off in addition to helping those in need in our community, especially during this holiday season.”

Here's how it works: A donor simply calls Charity Dispatch, a 24/7 vehicle donation phone line 866-829-2918. A third-party will pick up the vehicle one wishes to donate, tow it away, process the title and provide the necessary tax documents – all at no cost. Once the vehicle is sold, Skaggs Foundation will receive 80 percent of the net profit.

Details about the program are available at SkaggsFoundation.org or by calling 417-348-8998.