Jordan Ellis
The Skaggs Community Hospital, also known as the Cox Medical Center Branson, is a 5-star hospital located near Highway 65 in downtown Branson. The original brick hospital building, constructed in 1950, still stands as the pillar of the medical center's campus. The hospital has since undergone expansions to accommodate seven decades of growth, transforming Branson from a rural town to a thriving tourist destination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Construction | 1950 |
| Date of Opening | 8 January 1950 |
| Number of Beds at Opening | 25 |
| Number of Physicians at Opening | 5 |
| Number of Nurse's Aides at Opening | 6 |
| Number of Licensed Beds for Inpatient Care | 165 |
| Number of Stories in Outpatient Center | 5 |
| Year Skaggs Community Hospital joined CoxHealth | 2013 |
| Amount CoxHealth has invested in the Branson community | Over $30 million |
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What You'll Learn
The Skaggs family's contribution
Nineteen business leaders responded to Mr. Skaggs' challenge, and the Skaggs Community Hospital was built for approximately $250,000. The Skaggs family contributed an additional $50,000 to ensure the hospital was ready for patients. The hospital opened its doors on January 8, 1950, with 25 beds, five physicians, and six nurses' aides. More than 1,500 locals toured the hospital on its opening day, and it was described as having "the best modern construction engineers can provide" and being stocked with "the best medical equipment that can be used."
The Skaggs family's dream of providing quality healthcare to the people of Branson had come true. Their contribution not only saved lives but also played a role in the town's transformation from a rural community to a booming tourist destination. As Branson grew, so did the hospital, with new expansions being added over time to accommodate the increasing needs of the community.
However, as decades passed, the hospital faced financial challenges. In 2012, the Skaggs Community Hospital struggled to meet the growing demands due to decreased revenue and a lack of funding sources. To overcome this hurdle, the hospital's president, William Mahoney, proposed finding a strategic partner to ensure the hospital's long-term viability. After a thorough search, the trustees voted to join CoxHealth, a decision that brought significant investment and upgrades to the hospital.
Today, the original brick hospital, bearing the Skaggs family's name, still stands as a pillar of the medical center's campus, a testament to the family's enduring contribution to the health and well-being of the Branson community.
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The hospital's opening in 1950
The Skaggs Community Hospital, now known as the Cox Medical Center Branson, opened its doors on January 8, 1950, with 25 beds, five physicians, and six nurses' aides. The hospital was built thanks to the efforts of local businessman M.B. Skaggs, the founder of Safeway stores, and his wife Estella. The idea for the hospital came about when Skaggs witnessed a child die before she could be transferred to Springfield for treatment. He and his wife decided in that moment that Branson needed a hospital and began rallying support from the community. Skaggs challenged local residents to donate money for the construction of a community hospital, promising to match their funds. Nineteen business leaders contributed to the construction, and the Skaggs family contributed an additional $50,000 to get the hospital ready for patients.
The completed building was given to the community as a gift, with citizens asked to equip and furnish the facility. More than 1,500 locals toured the hospital on opening day. An article written for the White River Leader that weekend described the facility as "the best modern construction engineers can provide" and praised its state-of-the-art medical equipment. The hospital was a source of pride for the community and a testament to their dedication to bringing quality healthcare to their town.
Over the next seven decades, the hospital underwent expansions and advancements in diagnostics and treatment to accommodate the growing needs of the community. However, by 2012, Skaggs Community Hospital was struggling financially and facing challenges in meeting the evolving healthcare demands of the region. To overcome these obstacles, the hospital began exploring strategic partnerships. After a thorough search, the board voted to join CoxHealth, a decision that ushered in significant investments in the hospital's infrastructure and equipment.
Today, the Cox Medical Center Branson remains committed to its founding mission of improving the health of those it serves. The original brick hospital still stands as a pillar of the medical center's campus, surrounded by new expansions that reflect its growth and transformation. The hospital has earned a 5-star rating and offers a comprehensive range of services, including inpatient care, outpatient centers, a cancer center, a 24-hour emergency department, and urgent care. The journey that began in 1950 with the opening of Skaggs Community Hospital has evolved to meet the changing healthcare landscape, ensuring that the community of Branson and its visitors have access to modern and compassionate medical care.
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Branson's growth
Branson Hospital, also known as Skaggs Community Hospital, celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2020. The original brick building, constructed in 1950, still stands as the pillar of the medical centre's campus. However, over the past seven decades, the hospital has expanded to accommodate the growth of Branson from a rural town to a booming tourist destination.
The idea for the hospital was conceived by local businessman M.B. Skaggs, the founder of Safeway stores, and his wife Estella. They witnessed a child die because she could not be transferred to Springfield for treatment. Determined to ensure that their community had access to quality healthcare, the Skaggs family challenged local residents to donate funds for the construction of a community hospital, pledging to match their contributions. With support from nineteen business leaders, Skaggs Community Hospital was built for approximately $250,000. The completed building was gifted to the community, and the Skaggs family contributed an additional $50,000 to equip and furnish the facility.
On January 8, 1950, Branson Hospital opened its doors with 25 beds, five physicians, and six nurses' aides. The hospital was described as "the best modern construction engineers can provide" and was equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. Over the years, the hospital advanced in diagnostics and treatment, but it also faced growing pains due to decreased revenue and limited funding sources.
In 2012, facing challenges in meeting the growing needs of the community, Skaggs Community Hospital began searching for a strategic partner. This led to a collaboration with CoxHealth, a six-hospital health system headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. The partnership brought significant investments, including a $30 million expansion of the Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit, enhancing the hospital's capacity to serve the community.
Today, Cox Medical Center Branson is a 5-star hospital located near Highway 65 in downtown Branson. It offers 165 licensed beds for inpatient care, a 5-story Outpatient Center, a Cancer Center, a 24-hour Emergency Department, and an Urgent Care. The hospital's mission remains steadfast: to improve the health of those it serves, reflecting the compassionate care that has characterised its seven decades of service to the community.
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Funding sources
The Skaggs Community Hospital, also known as Branson Hospital, was built in 1950 with funds raised by local businessman M.B. Skaggs, the founder of Safeway stores. After witnessing a child die before she could be transferred to Springfield for treatment, Skaggs and his wife Estella decided to build a hospital in Branson. They challenged local residents to donate money for the construction of a community hospital, promising to match their funds. Nineteen business leaders contributed to the construction, and the Skaggs family contributed an additional $50,000 to equip and furnish the facility. The total cost of constructing the hospital was approximately $250,000.
Over the years, the hospital continued to advance in diagnostics and treatment, but it struggled to keep up with growing needs due to decreased revenue and a lack of funding sources. In 2012, the hospital joined CoxHealth, a six-hospital health system headquartered in Springfield, MO. CoxHealth has invested significantly in the hospital, including a $30 million investment in expanding the emergency department and critical care unit. They also announced a $15 million investment to build a "super clinic" near the Branson RecPlex.
The CoxHealth Foundation, which governs the Cox Medical Center Branson, seeks to serve the needs of its patients through various means, including direct-to-patient resources, technology, prevention education, and scholarships. The foundation accepts donations to support the medical center in Branson.
The original brick building of the Skaggs Community Hospital still stands as the pillar of the medical center's campus, with new expansions added over the years to accommodate the growth of Branson. The hospital has been providing compassionate care to the community for seven decades and remains committed to improving the health of those it serves.
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The hospital's mission
The original Skaggs Community Hospital building in Branson is over 70 years old. The hospital was built in 1950 by local businessman M.B. Skaggs, the founder of Safeway stores, after he witnessed a child die before she could be transferred to Springfield for treatment. The completed building was donated to the community, with citizens asked to equip and furnish the facility. The Skaggs family contributed another $50,000 to get the hospital ready for patients.
The mission of the hospital, now known as Cox Medical Center Branson, is to improve the health of those it serves. The hospital's mission statement is driven by over 70 years of compassionate care in the community, which remains as strong as the bricks that built it.
The hospital has continued to advance in all areas of diagnostics and treatment over the decades, with expansions to accommodate Branson's growth from a rural town to a booming tourist destination. In 2012, the hospital joined CoxHealth, a six-hospital health system headquartered in Springfield, MO. Since then, CoxHealth has invested over $30 million in the community, including building and equipment upgrades, and expanding the hospital's critical care unit and emergency department.
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Frequently asked questions
The Branson hospital building is over 70 years old as of 2020.
The Branson hospital opened on January 8, 1950.
Local businessman M.B. Skaggs, the founder of Safeway stores, and his wife Estella funded the construction of the hospital.
The hospital was built for approximately $250,000.
The hospital opened with 25 beds, five physicians, and six nurses' aides.
