Cox Monett is pleased to welcome Dr. Stephen Hudson to its growing orthopedic services team.

Hudson, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, grew up in Monroe, La., where he was a standout athlete in high school. Coach Ken Hatfield of the Arkansas Razorbacks recruited him to play football in the late 80s. This was Hudson’s first experience in southern Missouri and the northwest Arkansas area, and he quickly fell in love with the region.

"I had thoughts of pursuing medicine as a student-athlete, but it was my interactions with our team physicians that sparked my interest in orthopedic surgery," he says. "I loved the idea of being able to help people get back to the sports and activities they love to do."

Hudson attended medical school at Louisiana State University and completed his residency and internship at the University of Arkansas.

After spending more than 20 years working at a large hospital in Little Rock, Ark., Hudson returned to northwest Arkansas five years ago to take advantage of the slower pace.

Hudson became aware of the growing orthopedic program at Cox Monett from his longtime friend, Dr. Bill Goodman, an orthopedist at the hospital.

"When I visited Cox Monett for the first time, right away I noticed how all the staff members were so friendly and engaging," he says. "There was an overall feeling of people working together to care for patients, and being a part of this team and caring about the health system’s mission is very valuable to me."

Both surgeons will be performing total joint replacements and general orthopedic procedures at the hospital.

Hudson will be sharing his orthopedic practice with Goodman in the CoxHealth Monett Surgery Clinic, located in the CoxHealth Monett Clinic, 1000 E. Hwy. 60 in Monett.

The spacious clinic is attached to Cox Monett Hospital, which opened in January 2021. The hospital features an expansive operating suite built for orthopedic procedures, an in-house MRI, and diagnostic services conveniently located inside the specialty clinic.

Additional specialists, including orthopedists, currently see patients in the Visiting Physicians Clinic located at 2200 E. Cleveland Ave. in Monett.

"I am excited that I can help a wide variety of patients with diverse orthopedic issues and allow them to stay close to home for treatment," he says. “It’s an honor to be a part of a five-star hospital, the medical community, and the town of Monett.”

Hudson is married to his wife, Mary, and they have twin sons, Sam and Ben, who are young adults now.

In his free time, he likes to travel with his family, bike, camp, and enjoy the great outdoors.

To make an appointment or for more information, please call 417-236-2440 or visit coxhealth.com.

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon joins Cox Monett Hospital