New family practice physician at Cox Barton County is Jasper native

(From Cox Health)

As a child, Dr. Joshua Etcheson dreamed of finding a career where he could affect people’s lives in a profound and positive way.

A familiar face to many, family practice physician Dr. Etcheson grew up in Jasper, Mo., a small town located along a busy section of US Interstate-49.

“Growing up in Jasper was much like any other small Midwest farming town,” says Dr. Etcheson. “We didn’t have a swimming pool, movie theater or a mall, so we spent our days playing outside.”

Dr. Etcheson, his twin brother and older sister, attended school across the street from where the family resided.

“Our house was always bustling with activity,” says Dr. Etcheson with a laugh. “There were kids hanging out there all the time, probably because of the proximity to the school.”

Dr. Etcheson’s career path first led him to enter the construction industry.

“I think working in construction actually helped me in many ways,” says Dr. Etcheson. “Long hours working in harsh environments prepared me for the demanding work and grueling schedules required to pursue a career in medicine.”

Dr. Etcheson considered a variety of medical specialties and jobs during his career, but he was always drawn to rural medicine and staying close to home.

For his three years of postgraduate training, he ultimately matched to the CoxHealth Family Medicine Residency Program in Springfield, Mo. Despite a pandemic that affected the entire world and the demanding hours of residency training, Dr. Etcheson says that his time at CoxHealth was some of the happiest of his life.

“I’m really looking forward to developing personal relationships with my patients,” says Dr. Etcheson. “Family Medicine requires a provider to act in many different roles: being a healer, leader, teacher, counselor, and a friend to my patients.”

In his spare time. Dr. Etcheson enjoys spending time with his daughter, Sophia. He also enjoys playing guitar, a wide variety of outdoor activities, and working on cars and motorcycles.

“I had it in my mind to become a small-town family doctor since the beginning of this journey,” says Dr. Etcheson. “It really didn’t take much for CoxHealth to convince me to return home and work at Cox Barton County Hospital.”

Dr. Etcheson is currently accepting new patients. To make an appointment, please call the CoxHealth Medical One Clinic at 417-681-5266 or visit coxhealth.com for more information.