YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
The work of Dr. Staci Niemoth has a ripple effect difficult to match.
As an OB-GYN at CoxHealth, she’s personally delivered thousands of babies and impacted the health care of thousands of women throughout the Springfield region.
She’s run her obstetrics and gynecology practice for 11 years and the last five years served as medical director of women’s health services at CoxHealth.
“We have been able to increase access and elevate the level of care provided for women in the Ozarks,” she says.
For instance, several years ago, she initiated, and now oversees, an OB Hospitalist program at Cox South Hospital. In collaboration with the emergency department, each pregnant patient coming in with a problem is seen quickly by a board certified OB-GYN physician. CoxHealth President and CEO Steve Edwards considers the program a key to serving patients who have less access to prenatal care.
“I am not afraid to tackle big issues,” Niemoth says.
Her resume shows it. Niemoth also chairs the CoxHealth Joint Operations Committee in which she identifies opportunities for improvements and encourages collaboration between providers and administrators.
One area of collaboration is with Jordan Valley Community Health Center, a federally qualified health center in Springfield. Niemoth says it’s had an impact on thousands of women and their babies by improving continuity of prenatal care, provider communication and access to electronic health records.
In her practice, Niemoth says she strives for consistent, high quality and evidence-based care – regardless of circumstances.
“It is vital for a health care provider to be able to listen to her patient and provide education and advice without judgment,” she says. “One of my most important roles as a women’s health care provider is to provide a safe environment for my patients to tell their story or ask questions they don’t feel comfortable discussing with anyone else.”
She sometimes handles issues such as infertility, abuse and teen pregnancy.
“A large portion of my time as a physician is spent listening, not talking, and may have little to do with a direct medical issue,” Niemoth says. “This can be one of the most challenging aspects of my job but also one of the most rewarding.”
Her approach has netted patient referrals throughout the years.
“I am so proud when a new patient comes into my office and says that I took care of their mom, sister, friend or co-worker,” she says. “There is no better compliment than being recommended by another patient. When I talk with a patient, I often get an update. I hear about babies I have delivered, weddings, kids going off to college, family illnesses or loss. I am part of their connected community.”
Outside of the office, Niemoth serves on the board of Care to Learn’s Ozark chapter and mentors high school students throughout the Greater Ozarks Centers for Advanced Professional Studies. Many are considering a career in women’s health.
“One of the most influential roles we have as health care providers is the ability to educate both our patients and those that will be the future of health care in our community,” she says.
Guest columnist Donnie Brawner says many entrepreneurs stray from their original business ventures, which is often a recipe for success.
