OZARKS PHYSICIAN WHO DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO RURAL HEALTH CARE RETIRES AFTER 42 YEARS
A family medicine doctor who served the Ozarks for more than 40 years and delivered more than 2,000 babies has retired, according to a press release from Mercy.
Dr. David Barbe stepped away from his Mountain Grove family medicine practice on Dec. 31.
In addition to founding his own practice, Barbe also served as regional physician executive for Mercy Southwest Missouri, president of the American Medical Association and president of the World Medical Association.
Barbe grew up in Mountain Grove, a town of 4,000, and his experience in the Ozarks inspired him to pursue a career there after graduating from the University of Missouri in 1980 and completing his residency in Wichita, Kansas. He and his wife, Debbie, who was an obstetrics nurse, returned to the underserved area to set up a practice "as a ministry," Barbe said in a news release.
Barbe's private practice entered Mercy's network in 1997. He had expanded the practice as much as he could on his own until he realized he needed the support of a larger health system in order to meet the community's needs. Three physicians, Dr Robin Coffey, Dr. Jessica King and Dr. Nathaniel Barbe — Dr. David Barbe's son — later joined the practice.
“We’ve had a significant impact on the health of this community,” he said. “Over the years, we‘ve gained the trust of our patients, and you must have that to make a difference. I’m very proud of the team we’ve assembled here, and we have great nurses and practitioners who will continue to care for this community. Plus, we have the support of Mercy’s continued investment in rural health care, which is truly invaluable.”
Though he has left his practice, Barbe will care for patients two days a week at the Missouri State University Care Clinic in Springfield. He also plans to stay involved in the Mountain Grove community, according to the press release.
Charlene Rioux, vice president of primary care for Mercy Southwest Missouri, called Barbe's guidance "invaluable" to the health system. Colleagues noted that no matter where Barbe was, his commitment to care has been clear.
“In his 20-plus years as a leader in Mercy, Dr. Barbe has inspired us with his unwavering commitment to our mission and patients,” said Dr. Brad Wyrsch, who has known and worked with Dr. Barbe for many years. “He has carried the small-town values of integrity, compassion and loyalty into every boardroom, every leadership role and every conversation he’s had with peers locally and from around the world. His passion for medical education and dedication to improving rural medicine are simply unmatched. The legacy he has left will continue to inspire us all.”
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks physician who devoted his life to rural health care retires after 42 years
2025-01-10T18:43:00Z