Cox Barton County Hospital

03/12/2026

We came across this sweet note from last year and had to share it again. “Thank you for making the world a nice place to be in.” It is a simple message, but it perfectly reflects the care and respect our team shows each other and our community every day.

A member of our team came in one morning this week to find a sweet note that simply said, “Thank you for making the world a nice place to be in.” A simple gesture, but a powerful reminder of the impact kindness can have.

Let's take a moment to appreciate those who make our days a little brighter.🌼🌸🌷

03/09/2026

If you have been dealing with ongoing stomach pain, cramping, or digestive trouble, you are not alone. Terms like IBD, IBS, and colitis are often confused, but they are very different conditions. Knowing the difference can help you get the right care. Learn how these conditions are diagnosed and how a colonoscopy can help your provider take a closer look. ⬇️

03/05/2026

MyChart is now available across CoxHealth. Patients can easily schedule appointments, view test results and message their care team all in one place. If you have not signed up yet, we encourage you to create your account and get connected today.⬇️

We’re excited to announce the launch of MyChart, as part of our transition to the Epic electronic health record system!

MyChart is designed to make managing your health easier, faster, and more convenient — all in one secure place. And it is free to use.

With MyChart, patients will be able to:

• View test results and visit summaries
• Send secure messages to their care team
• Schedule appointments online
• Request prescription refills
• Check in before an appointment
• Pay bills and view statements
• Access health information from any computer, tablet, or smartphone

Available on both Apple and Android devices, MyChart helps keep you connected to your care wherever you are.

”Our move to Epic gives patients easier access to their health information and greater flexibility in managing their care. It’s an important step in creating a more connected care experience,” says Heather Swearengin, CoxHealth’s Vice President of Consumer Experience.

03/03/2026

Sean Guiheen, nurse manager of the ER and Med Surg Unit, has been selected to represent Cox Barton at the Missouri Southern State University Willcoxon Innovation in Health Sciences Summit on March 27.

Sean will take part in a panel discussion on the unique challenges of rural health care and how hospitals are finding innovative ways to overcome them. We’re proud to have him contributing his expertise to this important conversation.

For additional details about the conference, please see the first comment.⬇️

02/26/2026

We’re excited to celebrate two outstanding members of our team who are finalists in this year’s Barton County Chamber of Commerce Awards.

◾ Julie Means has been nominated for Employee of the Year. Julie’s dedication and commitment to serving our patients and community make a difference every day. She is known for going the extra mile, literally, walking patients all the way to their vehicles, even in the rain, heat, or bitter cold. Her kindness doesn’t stop at the door, and that personal touch means more to our patients than she probably realizes.

◾ Beth Harris, NP, is a finalist for Healthcare Provider of the Year. She stands out for her compassion, clinical expertise, and dedicated advocacy for her patients. Beth consistently goes the extra mile to make sure every patient feels heard, valued, and genuinely cared for.

We also want to congratulate all the outstanding individuals and businesses nominated through the Barton County Chamber of Commerce. Our community is filled with dedicated professionals who work hard to make Barton County a wonderful place to live and work.

Please join us in congratulating Julie and Beth. We’re cheering you on!

You can find the voting link in the comments below. ⬇️

02/25/2026

For many patients, finishing cardiac rehabilitation might feel like the end of a journey. At Cox Barton, it is actually the beginning of a new one.

Phase 4 Cardiac Rehab gives graduates of the monitored rehab program a chance to continue exercising in a safe, familiar environment on their own schedule and at their own pace. For just $30 a month, participants can exercise up to three times a week while maintaining the healthy routines they worked so hard to build.

And for some patients, it has become much more than a workout. What started as recovery has turned into community.

“We all came in at different times, but before long we started timing our workouts together,” says participant Marilyn Moore. “Now we look forward to seeing each other just as much as we do the exercise.”

The group encourages one another, celebrates progress, and checks in when someone misses a day.

“If I don’t show up, somebody notices,” says Marilyn. “That accountability keeps me going. You don’t want to let yourself down, but you really don’t want to let your friends down either.”

The program offers independence while still providing the comfort of a medical setting, a balance many heart patients appreciate after completing monitored rehabilitation.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” she adds. “We’re taking care of our health, but we’re also laughing and enjoying it. It doesn’t feel like therapy anymore. It just feels like part of life.”

To make participation easier, Cardiac Rehab has expanded its hours, giving patients more flexibility to fit exercise into their weekly routines.

Patients also have another pathway to better health through the hospital’s Medical Conditioning program. With a provider’s order, individuals who may not need formal cardiac rehab can still safely exercise in a clinical setting for a monthly fee. This option allows patients to begin improving strength, endurance, and heart health without going through the full Phase 1 through 4 cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Together, Phase 4 and Medical Conditioning give patients at different stages of health the opportunity to stay active and keep moving forward.

At Cox Barton, our commitment is to long-term success. We recognize that heart health is nurtured not just within hospital walls, but also through the confidence, relationships, and daily routines that empower patients for life.

Take control of your health in a place that supports you every step of the way.

02/19/2026

Cox Barton County Hospital welcomes Dr. Julius Tang, a board-certified general surgeon, to its health care team.

Dr. Tang joins the Medical One Clinic alongside Dr. Michael Steele, strengthening local access to timely, high-quality surgical services for Barton County and surrounding communities.

During his high school years, Dr. Tang discovered a passion for applying knowledge to real-life situations, which naturally led him to medicine.

“Medicine felt like a very rewarding career,” says Dr. Tang. “Being trusted with someone’s care is something I value deeply.”

Dr. Tang completed advanced fellowship training at nationally renowned institutions, including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif., and Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fla. During this time, he gained experience caring for patients across many types of surgical needs and often managed cases from diagnosis through recovery. That breadth of practice mirrors rural medicine, where surgeons must be prepared to treat a wide range of conditions.

Dr. Tang believes receiving care locally plays an important role in healing and comfort.

“I want my patients to feel at home,” he says. “Comfort and trust are essential to healing, and I aim to provide both in every interaction.”

This commitment to compassionate care is reflected in his daily approach. Empathy, understanding, and clear communication guide every patient interaction.

“I try to put myself in my patients’ shoes,” says Dr. Tang. “Patients want to resolve their health issues, so they can return to living their lives. My role is to help them accomplish that in the most efficient and supportive way possible.”

Outside of seeing patients, Dr. Tang enjoys spending time outdoors.

“Nothing makes me happier than walking through a forest, breathing fresh air, hearing a running creek and seeing open plains,” Dr. Tang adds.

With his expertise and patient-centered approach, Dr. Tang is part of a surgical team that provides a wide range of procedures including minimally invasive surgery, hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, skin and wound care, and endoscopy.

02/17/2026

A legacy of comfort continues, one stitch at a time.

For many years, patients at Cox Barton have been greeted with handmade lap quilts placed on their beds. These quilts serve more than just a decorative purpose; they provide warmth, reassurance, and a reminder that the community cares about them.

Now, a new generation is stepping up to sustain that tradition.

Under the guidance of local 4-H leader Angie Gastel, nine 4-H students from the region have dedicated the past few months to perfecting their quilting skills. Angie assembled quilt kits and patterns, generously imparting her expertise to the students as she taught them how to assemble, sew, and carefully complete each quilt. This initiative transformed into more than merely a crafting session; it turned into a valuable lesson in patience, collaboration, and intertwined creativity.

This week, the students proudly showcased their finished quilts to the hospital, demonstrating the skills they had acquired throughout the process. The presentation also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the devoted community and hospital volunteers who have consistently created lap quilts over the years.

The project was filled with learning and laughter, but it also had a purpose. Every quilt, whether crafted by seasoned hands or first-time creators, will soon adorn a patient’s bed, offering comfort during their hospital stay.

It is a simple yet significant gift.

Thank you to Mary Lyn Hunter Collier, Angie, and so many others in our community for collaborating to uphold the tradition of love, one quilt at a time.

The quilts have their own story to tell. Discover how it all began in the comments.

02/14/2026

Health care is more than appointments; it’s about people, connections, and little moments that make your day.

Per your request, that's why we brought back our conversation hearts.

Every visit, procedure, and call comes from a team who cares. These candy hearts are a delightful way to show the friendly faces behind your care, and maybe make your day a little sweeter.

Happy Valentine's Day ❣️

02/10/2026

For our colleagues, the "You Matter" campaign is a reminder of something simple and true: You matter. You make a difference. You are the heart of CoxHealth.

Ben, a physical therapist, is proudly representing Cox Barton as part of the internal CoxHealth "You Matter" campaign. This initiative highlights team members from across our system and celebrates the people who make CoxHealth a great place to work and receive care.

Ben brings exceptional skills, enthusiasm, and a supportive presence to patients and coworkers alike. We are proud to see him and so many others recognized for the difference they make in our hospital and community.

As you spot the "You Matter" signs around the hospital, we encourage you to take a moment to appreciate the individuals behind the care.

02/06/2026

Big hearts, creative boxes, one great cause ❤️

Our teams put their hearts (and serious creativity) into decorating Valentine’s boxes now on display in the hospital lobby, and they’re amazing! From a fluffy llama to a specialty coffee drink and everything in between, each one tells a story and shows off the personalities that make our award-winning rural hospital so special.

Better yet, it’s all for a great cause. This friendly competition is a fundraiser for the Cardiac Rehab Fund through the CoxHealth Foundation, helping provide care and support for our patients on their heart-health journey.

Stop by, take a look, pick your favorite while making a big difference. The boxes will be on display until Feb. 16.

And if you can’t make it in, tell us, which one is your favorite in the comments below?