Town & Country

Photography by James Moore

Rural Clinics Key to Ozarks Healthcare’s Mission

Across the Ozarks, small-town life thrives on connection. Neighbors know one another, communities rally in times of need, and local traditions keep generations close. In many of these towns, Ozarks Healthcare’s rural health clinics play a vital role in sustaining that sense of community—ensuring families have access to quality care right where they live.

Each of Ozarks Healthcare’s nine rural health clinics provides primary and preventive services close to home, allowing patients to build lasting relationships with trusted providers. Staffed by nurse practitioners and physicians, the clinics also offer imaging services, on-site pharmacies at select locations, and telehealth technology to connect patients with specialists when needed.

Jacob Petrus, vice president of physician services and operations, said rural outreach is central to Ozarks Healthcare’s mission.

“Rural clinics are often the only consistent point of access to care for patients in these communities,” Petrus said. “Many of our patients live miles away from West Plains. Without our rural services, they wouldn’t be able to receive preventative care, manage chronic conditions, or be treated for acute needs.”

The facilities—located in Gainesville, Mountain Grove, Mountain View, Thayer, Winona, Alton, and three sites in West Plains—help bridge a significant healthcare gap across southern Missouri.

“Our rural health clinics help keep care local, personal, and consistent,” Petrus said. “For many families, these clinics are how they build long-term relationships with a provider, which is really at the heart of what Ozarks Healthcare is here for.”

While rural communities continue to face nationwide challenges, including physician shortages and the closure of independent practices, Ozarks Healthcare remains steadfast in its commitment to serve. Between January 2019 and January 2024, rural areas across the country saw an 11% decline in primary and specialty care access, according to the Physicians Advocacy Institute. Ozarks Healthcare’s growing network stands as an example of how rural investment can make a meaningful difference.

“I think sometimes people view rural health providers as a stopgap solution,” Petrus said. “But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Ozarks Healthcare offers a full spectrum of primary and specialty services, allowing patients to receive the same level of care they could expect in Springfield, Little Rock, or St. Louis—while keeping them close to home. At the end of the day, we’re neighbors caring for neighbors.”

To learn more about Ozarks Healthcare’s Rural Health Clinics, visit ozarkshealthcare.com/locations.