Skaggs Foundation awards $29,500 in scholarships to local students

Skaggs Foundation awarded 33 scholarships to students this month.

Skaggs Foundation made a $29,500 investment in the future of the health care industry this month by

awarding 33 scholarships to local students pursuing careers in the medical field. The scholarships are

Jamille Twedt

for summer and fall 2017 semesters.

Among the 33 scholarship recipients, 26 are employees at Cox Medical Center Branson, six are seniors at Branson High School and one is a senior at Forsyth High School.

Scholarship recipient Jamille Twedt, RN, OCN, has been a nurse for 39 years and in oncology for 28 of those years. She is currently an assistant nurse manager of Cox Cancer Center Branson and working toward her Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Without the support of Skaggs Foundation, she says she would not have been able to complete her BSN.

“Skaggs Foundation is committed to the health of our community not just today, but for years to

Forsyth senior Whitney Haynie

come,” Twedt says. “In our rural community, we need to increase health care access by paving the way for people who want to become doctors, nurses, provide advanced

radiology services, and the like. There are many people who have a desire to better their lives and be a part of the medical field, but that education can be very expensive. Skaggs Foundation helps reduce the burden of paying for school for those wanting to improve their own lives and make a difference for others.”

“At Skaggs Foundation, we are committed to improving the health of Taney and Stone counties today, but also ensuring that excellent health care will be available here for years to come,” says Skaggs Foundation President Meghan Connell.

Since its inception in 2002, Skaggs Foundation has awarded a total of $312,450 to students pursuing degrees in the medical field. 

Students wishing to apply for a spring 2018 scholarship have until Nov. 1. Please visit

Six Branson High School Seniors received scholarships

SkaggsFoundation.org for more information about the scholarship program.

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.

The little things can mean so much

Diabetes testing supplies – it’s another way we are making a difference.

When we learned that Cox Medical Center Branson Cardiac Rehab had patients who could not afford their diabetes testing supplies, Skaggs Foundation quickly stepped up to the plate.

“It’s so important for a patient with diabetes to manage their blood sugars in order to minimize both short term and long term complications,” says Cardiac Rehab Nurse Beth Gillispie. “Of course, a meter is necessary to track blood sugars and therefore treat appropriately.”

By working with CoxHealth Pharmacy, the foundation has been able to obtain meters and necessary supplies at a reasonable price. Cardiac rehab patients who could not otherwise afford these supplies are now receiving starter kits which include a meter, test strips, lancing device, lancets and glucose tablets.

“The test strips and lancets are an ongoing cost but patients can replenish their supplies at a very economical price at our pharmacy,” Gillispie says. “Our desire is to enable patients to leave the hospital with the tools needed to get started on their road to better health management. Not only does this allow them to better manage their health, I think they can leave here feeling like we really care and truly want them to succeed, and that’s priceless.”

Skaggs Foundation 2017 Speaker Series kicks off with Dr. Chad Efird

Free lunch & learn to be held May 10 at Dixie Stampede

Skaggs Foundation’s 2017 Speaker Series kicks off this year with Orthopedic Surgeon Dr.

Chad Efird presenting Osteoarthritis: Living & Managing.

During this free lunch and learn at Dixie Stampede, Dr. Efird will discuss in detail osteoarthritis, how it can impact your life and treatment options available. He will also touch on hip, knee and shoulder replacement, as well as provide tips on the steps you can take to help prevent osteoarthritis.

This event, which will be held in the Carriage Room at Dixie Stampede, includes a complimentary lunch of Dixie Stampede’s signature three-course meal.

Dr. Efird is a board certified orthopedic surgeon at Cox Medical Center Branson.

The lunch and learn is presented by Skaggs Foundation, Central Trust Company and Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction.

Registration is required and this event is expected to fill up quickly. To RSVP, email Ruby.Comer@skaggs.net or call 417-348-8998.

Galena Community Vision to host series for caregivers

Workshops to be held Wednesday afternoons at Stone County Library in Galena

Whether it’s caring for an aging parent or a spouse who has fallen ill, many people eventually find themselves in a caregiver role. Galena Community Vision, formerly known as Galena Vision of Hope, is hosting a three-part caregivers series designed to equip and educate local caregivers with the information they need to make the best, most informed decisions for their loved ones and themselves.

Each session will be held from 1-2 p.m. at the Stone County Library in Galena and includes the following schedule:

• April 19 - Caregiving: Identifying needs, organizing and planning
• April 26 - Explanation of Medicare and Medicaid Programs (home health, consumer directed care, in-home services and private pay help)
• May 3 - Caregiver health, community resources, Advanced Health Care Directive and more.

“These sessions will emphasize how important it is to care for the caregiver as well as the loved one in need,” says Connie Johnson, Galena Community Vision chairperson. “We want to help caregivers be better informed, be able to identify their loved one’s needs and be able to easily organize necessary care.”

This free series is made possible by the generous support of Oxford Healthcare and funded by Skaggs Foundation.

For more information or to register, call Connie Johnson at 417-357-6061. 

Skaggs Foundation, CoxHealth to host Community Summit on substance abuse

Event begins at 9 a.m. April 13 at the Hughes Brothers Theatre

Marietta Hagan
Project Coordinator

Skaggs Foundation and CoxHealth invite the community to join them Thursday, April 13, when Dr. Bill Geary, a national expert on substance abuse prevention and community coalitions, will facilitate a discussion on proactive approaches the communities of Stone and Taney counties can take to combat substance abuse. The Substance Abuse Initiative Community Summit will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hughes Brothers Theatre in Branson.

“At this event, we want to bring together community members and leaders from Stone and Taney

counties for an opportunity to learn about the Substance Abuse Initiative,” explains CoxHealth Project Coordinator Marietta Hagan. “Substance abuse has been identified as a top concern by residents of both Stone and Taney counties. Together, CoxHealth and Skaggs Foundation have stepped up to the plate to invest the resources necessary to lead this initiative.”

Hagan explained that the goal of the initiative is to support the region’s social and economic prosperity by engaging key stakeholders around the topic of local substance abuse, identifying community resources, encouraging collaboration of those resources and implementing proven prevention efforts.

During the community summit, Dr. Geary will present the results of a recent community assessment and share his recommendations as to how the community can move forward. In addition to Dr. Geary’s presentation, local substance abuse experts will share their experiences and insights on the topic and area agencies will highlight existing programs and efforts already underway.

“People from all sectors of the community will benefit from attending the summit,” says Hagan. “Whether you live or just work in Stone or Taney counties, the success and prosperity of the region depends on the community’s willingness to join together to keep the Ozarks a safe place to live, work and play.”

The Substance Abuse Initiative will be held 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, April 13, at the Hughes Brothers Theatre, 3425 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson. For more information about the upcoming summit or the Substance Abuse Initiative, call Hagan at 417-335-7333 or email Marietta.Hagan@CoxHealth.com.

Skaggs Foundation accepting grant applications and concept papers

Skaggs Legacy Endowment dedicated to supporting health and wellness initiatives

Cedarcreek Volunteer Fire Protection District
was a 2016 Helping Hands grant recipient

Now through April 28, Skaggs Foundation is accepting grant applications and concept papers from organizations wishing to receive funding from Skaggs Legacy Endowment. Skaggs Legacy Endowment is a restricted fund made possible by a generous gift from CoxHealth in 2013.

To be considered for Skaggs Legacy Endowment funding, programs must be health and wellness related and serve Stone and/or Taney County residents. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit with current proof of 501(c)3 status, a school or governmental agency. Priority will be given to collaborative initiatives that address dental care, substance abuse/tobacco, unhealthy body weight, mental health, child and family safety, improve access to care and community health workers.

“Through Skaggs Legacy Endowment, we are investing in the health and wellness of our community today, knowing that the impact of good health will last for generations to come,” says Skaggs Legacy Endowment Grants Committee Chairman Nita Jane Ayres. “Through these grants, we’ve impacted thousands of lives in Stone and Taney counties and look forward to seeing more great projects from our community.”

There are currently two levels of grants available:

• Helping Hands grant awards range from $1,000-$5,000 and are one-year grants. Full applications are due April 28.
• The Priority Health Needs grant award floor is $5,001 with no award ceiling. Requests may be made up to a three-years period, although funding is committed for one year at a time. Future funding is contingent upon program results and funding availability. Programs that are collaborative in nature and address a top identified health need are of high priority. Concept papers are due April 28.

In October 2016, Skaggs Foundation awarded 14 grants to local organizations.

Among the grant recipients was Cedarcreek Volunteer Fire Protection District which received a Helping Hands grant to purchase a CPR Manikin and AED training package.

Stone County Health Department received for the third year a Priority Health Needs grant for its Healthy Bundles program. Healthy Bundles provides free home visits to families with newborns and free newborn case management in an effort to prevent and address child abuse and neglect.

For more information on these or other projects funded through Skaggs Legacy Endowment or to access Skaggs Legacy Endowment forms, visit www.skaggsfoundation.org/grants or call Mindy Honey at 417-335-7340.

Branson’s Skaggs Classic returns June 9-10

Charity golf tournament offers opportunity to play two great Branson courses

Branson’s Skaggs Classic charity golf tournament will return June 9-10 this year with the incredible opportunity for golfers to enjoy not just one beautiful Branson course, but two.

“Branson has so many wonderful courses and we decided this year to give our sponsors the opportunity to try a couple of the courses during one fun-filled weekend,” says Skaggs Foundation President Meghan Connell. “We will kick things off on Friday, June 9, with a 1 p.m. shotgun start at Thousand Hills Golf Resort. That main day of play includes free lunch, snacks and beverages for all of our players as well as appetizers, a silent auction and an awards ceremony. On Saturday, June 10, our sponsors of $5,000 or more will be treated to a second day of play, this time at Branson Hills Golf Club.”

Sponsorship opportunities begin at $500 with team sponsorships starting at $1,000. All proceeds raised during Branson’s Skaggs Classic will help support Skaggs Foundation.

“Every year, millions of visitors come to the Ozarks to enjoy our lakes, shows and attractions, but at Skaggs Foundation, we recognize that our greatest resources are the people of our community,” Connell says. “Our mission is to protect that resource by supporting community initiatives dedicated to improving health and wellness throughout Taney and Stone counties.”

Here are just a few of the ways Skaggs Foundation is improving health and wellness:

• Jan Harper Cardiac Rehab Fund provides financial assistance to patients who have suffered a cardiac event, such as a heart attack, but are unable to afford recommended rehabilitation services as part of their recovery process. 
• Feel Better Baby is a program designed to equip, educate and empower parents and caregivers of children 0-3 years old to treat common childhood ailments at home and know when and where to seek medical treatment when needed. This program provides 1,000 kits – kits that include a digital thermometer, pain reliever, saline drops, bulb syringe and easy-to-read information – for families in our community. 
• Since inception in 2002, Skaggs Foundation has awarded more than $280,000 in scholarships to local students pursuing careers in the medical industry. At Skaggs Foundation, we believe there is no better way to ensure the health care industry in our area has a bright future than by supporting education today. 
• Skaggs Legacy Endowment is a restricted endowment fund made possible by a generous gift from CoxHealth in 2013. The foundation awards grants annually to local agencies dedicated to improving health and wellness in Taney and Stone counties. More than 85,000 lives are expected to be impacted by current Skaggs Legacy Endowment grants. 

To learn more about Skaggs Foundation or to get involved in Branson’s Skaggs Classic 2017, visit SkaggsFoundation.org or call 417-348-8998.