Texas County Memorial Hospital signed the first of three providers last week to work at the hospital’s new clinic in Mountain Grove.
Sheri Stofer, a Mountain Grove resident, is a physician assistant and most recently was employed by Ralph J. Duda, M.D., at Ironbridge Diabetes and Endocrinology, a clinic in Springfield. She graduated from Mountain Grove High School, and her family has a farm in Mountain Grove.
Stofer has worked as a nurse at the Mountain Grove Medical and Laser Center and as a nurse at TCMH before becoming a physician assistant.
“I am looking forward to being able to take care of my friends and neighbors,” Stofer said.
In addition to being a physician assistant, Stofer is a certified diabetes educator — meaning she is a healthcare professional who is specialized and certified to teach people with diabetes how to manage their condition.
As a mid-level provider, Stofer will collaborate with a physician in the TCMH clinic. TCMH does not have a full-time physician signed to work in the clinic, but active recruiting for at least one physician is ongoing. The clinic will have enough exam rooms and office spaces for at least three full-time healthcare providers.
Wes Murray, chief executive officer at TCMH, is excited about the opportunity to bring a longtime resident of Mountain Grove to her hometown to practice medicine.
“We have one major piece of the puzzle in place by hiring a provider for our Mountain Grove clinic,” Murray said.
“Beginning work at TCMH can’t come fast enough for me,” Stofer said. She will begin working full-time in the TCMH clinic as soon as it opens. An early spring opening is anticipated.
Stofer expects that many of her patients from her Springfield clinic will follow her to Mountain Grove since Dr. Duda closed his Springfield practice at the end of December.
Patients that wish to see Stofer when the TCMH clinic opens in Mountain Grove should call the TCMH Medical Complex in Houston at 967-5639. They will receive notice when appointments are being taken for Stofer.
In addition to the clinic, TCMH is also building an ambulance base that will be attached to the south end of the clinic building. TCMH is already operating an ambulance service in Mountain Grove; located in temporary quarters until construction is complete.