- Date published
We're cheering from the front row!
Our Innovation Champion partner, CoxHealth, has landed a spot on Fortune’s Most Innovative Companies 2025 list, and it’s a well-earned recognition of the bold, collaborative and forward-thinking approach they’ve been championing for years.
CoxHealth is shaking up healthcare in southwest MO and redefining what’s possible when innovation is woven into every layer of a legacy organization.
From next-gen pediatric care collaborations to pioneering virtual nursing teams and building future talent pipelines, CoxHealth has refused to settle for “the way we’ve always done it.” And that mindset? That drive to challenge the status quo? That’s exactly why we’re so proud to stand alongside them.
Innovation Takes a Village
At efactory, we’re in the business of breaking down barriers between industries, departments, and sometimes, between reality and really big ideas. That’s why our partnership with CoxHealth over the years has been such a natural fit.
One of the earliest sparks? The Innovation Accelerator. A “Shark Tank”-style pitch event where CoxHealth employees bring fresh ideas forward, this accelerator has been running strong for a decade (yes, a decade!). We’ve been lucky enough to host and help shape this initiative, and it’s been nothing short of inspiring to watch ideas turn into impact year after year.
“We have been on the journey of innovation for a decade, and it has permeated all levels of our organization, and a key spark for that was Rachel and the efactory team. Early on, we partnered with efactory to teach us how to create an internal event to get involvement from all levels of the organization, and to create a culture where thinking differently was encouraged. That is paying dividends now, several years later,” said Scott Rogers, CoxHealth’s administrative director of strategy and innovation.
Part of that payback came from the executive leadership team evolving in that culture and now leading innovative projects from the top. CoxHealth has been a key player in launching The Alliance for Healthcare Education, a regional collaboration with Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical Community College, and Springfield Public Schools. The goal? Build robust pipelines that guide students into health care careers, which strengthens our local talent pool and makes the dream of a healthcare career more accessible for generations to come.
We’re proud to have been involved in the collaborations, discussions and connections that helped bring The Alliance for Healthcare Education to life, too.
“When great partners come together to challenge norms, that’s where real magic happens. CoxHealth is proof that innovation isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a cultural shift, and they’re leading that shift with heart, strategy and a healthy dose of courage,” said Rachel Munday, executive director of efactory at Missouri State University.
Celebrating a Culture of Innovation
Fortune’s list recognizes flashy, trendy innovation as well as organizations that are living, breathing examples of innovation culture, like CoxHealth. We know them well, and love to see how they empower teams throughout the ranks to experiment, adapt, and drive change.
That’s why this recognition means so much. It validates the years of hard work, the willingness to test and pivot, and the belief that healthcare (and frankly, every industry) gets better when we collaborate, question everything, and take smart risks.
Congrats to our friends at CoxHealth!