For Jason and Teresa Loden, full-time medical practice is the fulfillment of lifelong dreams.
Jason, a board-eligible general surgeon, and his wife Teresa, a board-certified pediatrician, have moved to Texas County and are taking appointments at Texas County Memorial Hospital.
“I had a good pediatrician when I was young,” Teresa said. “I think that’s why I’ve always wanted to be a pediatrician.”
For Jason, his desire to become a surgeon stemmed from his parent’s profession.
“My parents are veterinarians, and I used to watch them work with the animals that came in,” Jason said.
“I always liked the surgery component, and that’s what made me want to pursue surgical training.”
Jason said he prefers working with people over animals, which ultimately drove his career choice.
Jason and Teresa both agree that going through medical school and residency is a lot of work, but the gratification at the end of the journey was worth it.
“Being a pediatrician is really humbling,” Teresa said. “You get to be a part of someone’s family, and parents trust you with their child’s life.
“Being a doctor has given me the opportunity to learn a lot about different cultures and beliefs. It has really helped me step out of my own worldview and see the world from other’s perspectives.”
Jason and Teresa met in their second year of college at Avila University in Kansas City. While Teresa was unloading her car at the start of the school year, Jason offered to help. She declined the help, but they started dating soon after.
While at Avila, both Jason and Teresa obtained undergraduate degrees in biology. Both planned to attend medical school immediately following.
Marriage and medical school at AT Still University in Kirksville began in 2009. After completing medical school, both were accepted to the residency programs of their choice at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.
While at Creighton, Teresa completed her three-year pediatric residency in the summer of 2016. Jason completed his five-year general surgery residency in June 2018.
Jason and Teresa planned early on to return to Missouri to build their practices. But while Jason completed his residency, Teresa worked at One World Community Health Center in Omaha.
Teresa worked in a clinic with a medically underserved population as part of a scholarship requirement she is fulfilling through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Teresa is a NHSC scholar, and her position at One World Community Health Center helped fulfill two of her four-year NHSC work requirement.
One World Community Health Center serves a large population of Spanish-speaking and uninsured patients. Teresa has learned enough Spanish to be able to serve her patients’ medical needs.
In 2016, the Lodens started to consider where they would go when Jason finished his residency.
“We prayed about where God wanted us to go once we were finished in Omaha, and we felt that God was leading us to TCMH,” Jason said.
Jason and Teresa said they chose TCMH for a number of reasons, especially the warm welcome of Wes Murray, TCMH chief executive officer and the hospital staff.
Jason and Teresa also liked the area and its proximity to their extended families.
With the new surgery center opening soon, Murray said TCMH is very excited about bringing in a second surgeon. With the addition of a new surgeon and a full-time pediatrician — a physician specialty that has not been available at TCMH for many years — the hospital will be able to provide higher quality care for more patients.
“Our hospital and the community are fortunate to have Drs. Jason and Teresa Loden here,” Murray said.
Jason, raised in Joplin, and Teresa, raised in Hermann, have two daughters: Elliana who is 3 years old, and Gabriella who is a year and a half. Two Yorkshire Terriers, Mateo and Tiny, complete the family. In their free time, the Lodens enjoys fishing, floating and the great outdoors.
They bought a small farm near Houston. They hope to raise several different kinds of farm animals as they get settled on the farm.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Appointments are available for Dr. Jason Loden at the TCMH Outpatient Surgery Clinic in Houston at 417-967-1252. Appointments are available for Dr. Teresa Loden at the TCMH Medical Office Complex in Houston at 417-967-5435 beginning Aug. 1.