WS OZH clinic opens as teddy bears steal the show

The promise of a free Build-a-Bear created a line that stretched across the parking lot of the newly re-opening Ozarks Health Care (OZH) Willow Springs clinic. Dozens stood in line for an authentic Build-a-Bear experience, complete with rubbing plush hearts to life and hugging new friends. An homage to the Willow Springs Bears, the hospital brought the experience to the 800 block of Main Street to celebrate the opening of a new clinic under the Ozarks Healthcare banner. 

 

Formerly the location of the Cox Clinic, and retaining familiar staff members and providers, the long-standing medical center is open and seeing patients as of last week. 

 

Prior to the ribbon cutting, OZH CEO Terence Farell addressed the crowd, thanking the board of directors at OZH for the vision to bring a clinic to Willow Springs. He thanked Cox Healthcare for working with them throughout the transition, and finally he acknowledged a Dr. Robert Shaw, a physician synonymous with medicine in Willow Springs for decades. 

 

“Dr. Shaw is passionate and committed,” Farell said. “He is a force of nature who made sure no ball was dropped.”

 

Dr. Shaw handled the ceremonial scissors during the ribbon cutting that followed.