Meet the orthopedic surgeon who found his calling in rural health care

A few years ago, on a Tuesday morning in the fall, two board-certified orthopedic surgeons casually talked about opportunities, life, and medicine over a cup of coffee.

Before their meeting, Dr. Stephen Hudson considered recruiting Dr. Bill Goodman to his current hospital. Unbeknownst to him, Dr. Goodman was contemplating laying the groundwork for another surgeon to potentially join him at Cox Monett.

The two connected right away. “Dr. Goodman’s passion and zest for life are contagious, so you can't help but love him," says Dr. Hudson.

The orthopedists stayed in touch on and off for the next few months.

“I would receive an occasional message letting me know that Cox Monett is an exceptional place to work,” says Dr. Hudson. “Dr. Goodman let me know that for a rural hospital, he told me they have it all - people, culture, facility, and equipment.”

Dr. Hudson quickly decided to join Cox Monett and work with his friend to expand the hospital's orthopedics program, and now two years later, the program has experienced significant growth.

The orthopedic specialists previously worked at larger urban hospitals with more resources and specialists. However, they found it challenging to maintain the individualized care patients need as hospitals grow.

“For patients with simpler issues, I think that a smaller hospital can more easily keep its soul intact,” says Dr. Hudson. “A hospital like Cox Monett allows patients to receive treatments closer to home with their social support network, which I believe is critical to recovery.”

Dr. Hudson performs total joint replacements and other procedures at the hospital. Both physicians see patients in a clinic setting for general orthopedic issues. They share their practice at CoxHealth Surgery Monett by splitting their schedule for weekly coverage.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” says Dr. Hudson, “I get to spend quality time with my family, and I have an opportunity to get to know my patients and develop long-term relationships with them.”

The new Cox Monett Hospital which opened in January 2021 was built with the orthopedics program in mind. The large operating suite is designed for orthopedic procedures, the hospital features in-house MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and diagnostic services are conveniently located inside the specialty clinic.

“To me, the thing that stands out the most about Cox Monett is the high level of professionalism and striving to be the best for every patient, every time,” Dr. Hudson says. “This perfectly aligns with what I have always tried to do throughout my career.”

Dr. Hudson says he is not surprised by the orthopedics program's growth. The program has seen young athletes getting back to the sports they love, as well as farmers finding relief from aches and pains.

"Practicing at Cox Monett has fueled my passion for this profession," added Dr. Hudson. "The rural community gives me the opportunity to genuinely transform my patients' lives, and it's incredibly fulfilling."