Top Doctors

The Top Doctors in Southwest Missouri

417 Magazine's annual Top Doctors list features winning physicians in medical and surgical specialties throughout southwest Missouri, selected by their peers in the local medical community who voted for them in our Top Doctors survey.

by Jo Jolliff

Jul 2025

Find a Doctor

2025 Medical Review Board Members

As a part of the continued effort to strengthen the quality of our annual Top Doctors list we utilize our Medical Review Board to identify potential concerns. This team of local physicians is made up from a variety of specialties and hospitals to provide insight on errors that might be obvious to those in the medical field but not immediately obvious to us. These physicians are not able to change anyone’s ranking or affect the voting results.

Dr. Troy Caron
Ozarks Healthcare Orthopedics and Spine

Dr. Geoffery Stanczyk
Mercy Clinic OB/GYN

Dr. David Merriman
Mercy Orthopedics

Dr. Mark Walterskirchen
CMH Urology Surgical Clinic

Dr. Charles Woodall
CoxHealth General Surgery - Springfield

Dr. Robert Shaw Jr.
The Center for Plastic Surgery

Dr. Michael Swann
Swann Dermatology Partners

Dr. Matthew Simpson
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery

How It Works

Top Doctors is an annual nomination-based project in which we ask physicians in the southwest Missouri area to vote for doctors in various specialties. We ask the doctors to vote for the physicians they would trust to care for their family and friends—experts who exemplify excellence in their specialties.

This list is a service to our readers, giving them a doctor’s perspective regarding the top doctors in dozens of specialty areas. The list is intended to allow patients to see and celebrate their doctors who make the list. It also gives health care seekers a place to see doctors highlighted for achievement and reputation and can be a great tool for finding the right doctors for their needs.

To complete this nomination project, 417 Magazine has contracted DataJoe Research to conduct nominations using an online ballot for collecting, vetting and tallying the votes. DataJoe Research is a survey/research company specializing in data collection and verification and conducts various nominations across the United States on behalf of publishers.

Summary

Summary. DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and conducts various nominations across the United States on behalf of publishers. To create the “top doctors” list, DataJoe Research facilitated an online peer-nomination process, also referencing government sources. In addition, DataJoe often conducts media analysis through Internet research to factor in public perception. DataJoe then tallied the nominations per category for each doctor to isolate the top nominees in each category. After collecting nominations and factoring additional information from the media analysis, DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had a current, active license status with the state regulatory board. If we were not able to find evidence of a doctor’s current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that doctor was excluded from the list. In addition, any doctor who has been disciplined, up to the time-frame of our review process for an infraction by the state regulatory board, was excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to the magazine staff for final review and adjustments.

Final Note

We recognize that there are many good doctors who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding doctors in the region and the results of our research campaign. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many, many good and effective doctors may not appear on the list.

Disclaimers

DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe.

Doctors Doing Good

Read about how caregivers in the southwest Missouri area are getting involved in the community and doing good.

MEETING NEEDS

Caring for Medical Needs with Watered Gardens Minsitries

Dr. Russell L. Kennedy is focused on allowing students to develop their own passion for giving back to those in need.

SPREADING THE WORD

Raising Awareness with Dr. Jose M. Dominguez

Dr. Jose M. Dominguez finds inspiration for making time to volunteer by looking to his fellow doctors.

NUTRITIONAL NEEDS

Dr. Sunthosh Venkata Parvathaneni on Fighting Malnutrition

Dr. Sunthosh Venkata Parvathaneni is always looking for ways to give back to his community.

PROVIDING PEACE

Dr. Taylor Pedersen Talks Providing Peace

Dr. Taylor Pederson took an extra step with her passion for helping women experiencing domestic violence by opening a nonprofit.

PRESERVING NATURE

Dr. Clara N. Applegate on Preserving Local Parks

Dr. Clara N. Applegate joined the West Plains Park Association because of her passion for giving back to the environment.

Top Doctors in Springfield, Missouri

Check Another City

Springfield, Missouri Medical Specialties

Addiction Medicine
Winner
Mark Luther Carlson
CoxHealth Center for Addictions
417-269-2273

Runner-Up
Mehdi Tajouri
CoxHealth Center for Addictions
417-269-2273

Allergy Immunology
Winner
Brett William Hronek
CoxHealth Allergy - Springfield
417-875-3742

Runners-Up
Silvia Huebner
Allergy and Asthma of Springfield
417-885-0823

William Samuel Micka
CoxHealth Allergy - Springfield
417-875-3742

Minh-Thu Ngoc Le
CoxHealth Allergy - Springfield
417-875-3742

Anesthesiology
Winner
Ralph C. Bethea III
Mercy Anesthesiology
417-820-2829

Runners-Up
James R. Belk
Mercy Anesthesiology
417-820-2829

Robert J. Belk
Mercy Anesthesiology
417-820-2829

Anthony Ray Casanova
Mercy Anesthesiology
417-820-2829

Jennifer Daus Crites
Mercy Anesthesiology
417-820-2829

David Meloy Delahay
Mercy Anesthesiology
417-820-2829

Louis Joseph DelCampo
Jordan Valley Community Health Center
417-831-0150

David Powell Hayes
Mercy Anesthesiology
417-820-2829

John Ashton Heckathorn II
Mercy Anesthesiology
417-820-2829

Kayla Rowe O’Toole
Mercy Anesthesiology
417-820-2829

Albin Santo Quiko
Mercy Anesthesiology
417-820-2829

Youssef Yassa Yassa
Mercy Anesthesiology
417-820-2829

Breast Cancer Oncology Medical
Winner
Jessica Nicole Snider
Mercy Cancer and Hematology - Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-8099

Runners-Up
Chitra Balasundaram
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-8099

Brian Douglas Biggers
CoxHealth Breast Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3761

Jiantao Ding
Oncology Hematology Associates
417-882-4880

Robert John Ellis
Hulston Cancer Center
417-882-4880

Brooke Gillett
Oncology Hematology Associates
417-882-4880

Roger Holden
Oncology Hematology Associates
417-882-4880

Raymond L. Lobins
CoxHealth Medical Oncology - Springfield
417-875-2607

Rajesh R. Nair
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-8099

Lavanya Tiriveedhi
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-8099

Mohan Krishna Tummala
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-8099

Burn Treatment
Winner
Kenneth W Larson
Mercy General and Trauma Surgery
417-820-7250

Runners-Up
Zachary Tyler Beam
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-7250

Krisi Ann Causa
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-7250

Brian Benjamin Draper
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-7250

Robert Clay Johnson Jr.
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-7250

Cardiac Electrophysiology
Winner
John Brian Garner
CoxHealth Electrophysiology - Springfield
417-875-2624

Runners-Up
Keesag A. Baron
Mercy Clinic Cardiology
417-883-5500

Scott Ferreira
CoxHealth Electrophysiology - Springfield
417-875-2624

Shang-Chiun Lee
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3911

Indrajeet Mahata
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3911

Sunthosh Venkata Parvathaneni
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3911

Cardiovascular Disease
Winner
Philipp Alexander Wiesner
CoxHealth Cardiovascular Services - Springfield
417-875-2620

Runners-Up
Sharad Bansal
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3911

Keesag A. Baron
Mercy Cardiology
417-883-5500

Jessica A. Birchem
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3911

David S. Cochran
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3911

Sridevi Durga
CoxHealth Cardiovascular Services - Springfield
417-875-2620

John Brian Garner
CoxHealth Electrophysiology - Springfield
417-875-2624

Uzochukwu Ibe
CoxHealth Cardiovascular Services - Springfield
417-875-2620

Adnan Alexander Kassier
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3911

Robert F. Merritt
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3911

Donald W. Myears
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3911

Gerard Ohannes Oghlakian
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3911

Anoop C. Parameswaran
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3911

James Briggs Rice III
CoxHealth Cardiovascular Services - Springfield
417-875-2620

Suthipong Soontrapa
CoxHealth Cardiovascular Services - Springfield
417-875-2630

Dermatology
Winner
Michael H. Swann
Swann Dermatology Partners
417-888-0858

Runners-Up
Joshua Dimmick
Dimmick Laughlin Dermatology LLC
417-882-1818

Lesley Hawley
Ozarks Dermatology Specialists
417-889-3332

Christopher Ray Henry Wilbers
CoxHealth Dermatology Springfield
417-875-2978

Jenifer D. Insley
Jennifer Insley MD
417-889-3332

Michael Kremer
Swann Dermatology and Esthetics - National
417-888-0858

Catherine L. Laughlin
Dimmick Laughlin Dermatology LLC
417-882-1818

Dean L. Mittman
Mercy Dermatology
417-820-7220

Craig W. Naugle
Ozarks Dermatology Specialists
417-889-3332

Brett C. Neill
Swann Dermatology Partners Springfield-Hulston
417-900-3407

Jay Lorance Pearcy
CoxHealth Dermatology Springfield
417-875-2978

Raffaele Pennella
Ozarks Dermatology Specialists
417-889-3332

Dermatology Cosmetic
Winner
Michael H. Swann
Swann Dermatology Partners
417-888-0858

Direct Primary Care (Nominations for Private Practice Only)
Winner
Luke Van Kirk
Command Family Medicine
417-351-2900

Runners-Up
Elizabeth Lambird
Ozarks Direct Primary Care
417-886-0362

Shelby Smith
Equality Healthcare
417-633-7020

Emergency Medicine
Winner
Bryan Andrew Finke
CoxHealth Emergency Medicine - Springfield
417-269-6583

Runners-Up
Jacob Wilson Baltz
CoxHealth Emergency Medicine - Springfield
417-269-6583

Kari Lea Cooper
CoxHealth Emergency Medicine - Springfield
417-269-6583

Jason Travis Greer
CoxHealth Emergency Medicine - Springfield
417-269-6583

Howard E. Jarvis III
CoxHealth Emergency Medicine - Springfield
417-269-6583

Jennifer Wren Kimbrell
CoxHealth Emergency Medicine - Springfield
417-269-6583

Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism
Winner
Johnson Thomas
Mercy Endocrinology
417-888-5660

Runners-Up
James Theodor Bonucchi
CoxHealth Endocrinology - Springfield
417-269-4450

Nicola W. Gathaiya
CoxHealth Endocrinology - Springfield
417-269-4450

Gregory A. Ledger
Mercy Endocrinology
417-888-5660

Linda Ruth MacGorman
CoxHealth Endocrinology - Springfield
417-269-5158

Rani Nair
Mercy Endocrinology
417-888-5660

Ana Marcella Revas Mejia
CoxHealth Endocrinology - Springfield
417-269-4450

Jubran Afzal Khan Rind
Mercy Endocrinology
417-888-5660

JonBen Dale Svoboda
CoxHealth Endocrinology - Springfield
417-269-4450

Family Medicine
Winner
Rachelene Middleton
Mercy Family Medicine
417-890-4135

Runners-Up
Lauren Judith Branham
CoxHealth Primary Care - E. Battlefield
417-269-1499

Barbara A. Bumberry
Mercy Family Medicine
417-820-5015

Brian James Duff
CoxHealth Primary Care - Nixa
417-269-2227

Mark Richard Ellis
CoxHealth Primary Care - E. Battlefield
417-269-1499

Kunalpreet Singh Gugnani
Mercy Family Medicine
417-863-9190

Dale E Haverstick
Mercy Family Medicine
417-724-5200

Kristen Allcorn Killen
CoxHealth Primary Care - Nixa
417-269-8633

Justin Stephen Legris
CoxHealth Primary Care - Nixa
417-269-2227

Siu Ping Luthy
CoxHealth Primary Care - Nixa
417-269-2227

Ichha Sethi
Mercy Family Medicine
417-863-9190

Julie Settle
CoxHealth Primary Care - Ozark
417-269-2215

Jay Leroy Sparks
Mercy Family Medicine
417-820-7450

Sean P. Tarsney
Mercy Family Medicine
417-890-4135

James Erek Van Riessen
CoxHealth Primary Care - Chesterfield
417-269-0269

Corbin S. VanDeWege
CoxHealth Primary Care - Campbell
417-269-2281

Volare A. Yantis
Mercy Family Medicine
417-820-7450

Gastroenterology
Winner
Peter James Ramsey
CoxHealth Gastroenterology - Springfield
417-875-3250

Runners-Up
Daniel Edward Brady
Mercy Gastroenterology
417-820-5200

Mihir Nagesh Brajmabhatt
Mercy Gastroenterology
417-820-5200

Sanjay K. Havaldar
CoxHealth Gastroenterology - Springfield
417-875-3250

Sarah Hossain
CoxHealth Gastroenterology - Springfield
417-875-3760

Christopher David Knudsen
Mercy Gastroenterology
417-820-5200

Donald Herbert Mangum
Mercy Gastroenterology
417-820-5200

Ravinder Mankoo
CoxHealth Gastroenterology - Springfield
417-875-3250

Dennis Ng
CoxHealth Gastroenterology - Springfield
417-875-3250

Ghulam Jeelani Siddiqui
Mercy Gastroenterology
417-820-5200

Paul Edmond St. Romain
Mercy Gastroenterology
417-820-5200

Geriatric Medicine
Winner
Ovais Zubair
CoxHealth Advantage Care - Springfield
417-269-9220

Runners-Up
Melissa Ann Gaines
CoxHealth Advantage Care - Springfield
417-269-9220

Nabil Shafik Kamel
CoxHealth Advantage Care - Springfield
417-269-9220

Gynecologic Oncology
Winner
Albert James Bonebrake
CoxHealth Gynecological Oncology - Springfield
417-875-3065

Runners-Up
Molly Greenwade
CoxHealth Gynecological Oncology - Springfield
417-875-3065

Marcia Lynn Hernandez
Mercy Oncology
417-820-3554

Hematology Oncology
Winner
Jessica Nicole Snider
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-8099

Runners-Up
Chitra Balasundaram
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-8099

Rajesh Bande
CoxHealth Medical Oncology - Springfield
417-875-2607

Jiantao Ding
Oncology Hematology Associates
417-882-4880

Robert John Ellis
Hulston Cancer Center
417-882-4880

Brooke Gillett
Oncology Hematology Associates
417-882-4880

Roger Holden
Oncology Hematology Associates
417-882-4880

Kelly Ann Koehn
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-8099

Raymond L. Lobins
CoxHealth Medical Oncology - Springfield
417-875-2607

Falgun M. Modhia
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-8099

Rajesh R. Nair
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-8099

Lavanya Tiriveedhi
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-8099

Mohan Krishna Tummala
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-8099

Dushyant Verma
Hulston Cancer Center
417-882-4880

Karim Welaya
CoxHealth Medical Oncology - Springfield
417-875-2607

Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Winner
Albert Rull Leonardo Jr.
Mercy Palliative Care
417-820-4950

Runner-Up
Elaina Al-qaseer Alumno
Mercy Supportive Care
417-820-4950

Hospitalist
Winners (Tie)
Bala Sudhakar R. Allam
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

Zachariah Alan Dailey
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

Runners-Up
Kiran Babu Bandaru
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

John Daniel Broughton
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

Ramya Sree Chilukuri
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

Jagdeep S. Chinna
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

Nana Gaisie
CoxHealth Hospitalist - Springfield
417-269-7728

Marwan Bou Jaoudeh
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

Harinderjeet Kaur
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

Ryan Michael Norman
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

Jamie Brian Phelps
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

Olevia M. Pitts
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

Sarah Elizabeth Smitherman
CoxHealth Hospitalist - Springfield
417-269-7728

Narius Aresh Virji
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

Liridon Zguri
Mercy Hospitalists
417-820-2600

Hyperbaric Medicine Wound Care
Winner
Jason Jay Forbes
Mercy Wound Care and Hyperbaric
417-885-0868

Runner-Up
Larry Keith Chase
CoxHealth Wound Care - Springfield
417-269-9950

Infectious Disease
Winner
Robin L. Trotman
CoxHealth Infectious Disease - Springfield
417-269-7784

Runners-Up
Ryan Kevin Adkins
CoxHealth Infectious Disease - Springfield
417-269-7784

Alastair D. Haddow
Mercy Infectious Disease
417-820-3905

Almutasem Hamed
Mercy Infectious Disease
417-820-3905

Julio Nasim
Mercy Infectious Disease
417-820-3905

William W. Sistrunk
Mercy Infectious Disease
417-820-3905

Syed Muhammad Suhaib Naqvi
CoxHealth Infectious Disease - Springfield
417-269-7784

Internal Medicine
Winner
William Collins Moore
CoxHealth Internal Medicine - Springfield
417-875-2700

Runners-Up
Rajamanikkam Anandarajah
Mercy Internal Medicine
417-820-5600

Adam Bolyard
Mercy Internal Medicine
417-888-5658

Mira Lee Choe
CoxHealth Internal Medicine - Springfield
417-875-2700

Ashish Chowfin
Mercy Internal Medicine
417-888-5658

Silvia Isabel Garcia
CoxHealth Internal Medicine - Springfield
417-875-2700

Lehman W. Godwin
CoxHealth Internal Medicine - Springfield
417-875-2700

Jean Guan
CoxHealth Internal Medicine - Springfield
417-875-2700

Stephen Lee Holmes
CoxHealth Internal Medicine - Springfield
417-875-2700

Victor Ivan Gomez Lorenzo
Mercy Internal Medicine
417-820-5600

Preeti Modi
Mercy Internal Medicine
417-888-5658

Heath A. Morgan
Mercy Internal Medicine
417-888-5658

Elene Sell Pilapil
Mercy Internal Medicine
417-888-5658

Dustin R. Tompkins
Mercy Internal Medicine
417-724-5300

Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Winner
Robert F. Fraser II
Mercy Maternal and Fetal Medicine
417-820-3715

Runners-Up
Patricia Mary Dix
CoxHealth Maternal & Fetal Health - Springfield
417-269-4037

John Kendall Ethridge Jr
CoxHealth Maternal & Fetal Health - Springfield
417-269-4037

Sarah Hostetter
Mercy Maternal and Fetal Medicine
417-820-3715

Neonatology
Winner
Amy Bennett Yen
Ozark Neonatal Associates
417-820-3219

Runner-Up
Viswanathan Subramanian
Ozark Neonatal Associates
417-820-3219

Nephrology
Winner
Giselle D. Kohler
Springfield Nephrology Associates
417-886-5000

Runners-Up
Samir Santiago Garcia
CoxHealth Nephrology - Springfield
417-875-3150

Sailesh Nayar
CoxHealth Nephrology - Springfield
417-875-3150

David L. Sommerfeld
Mercy Clinic - Missouri State University
417-886-5000

Neurology
Winner
Jenifer Huifang Zhai
Mercy Neurology
417-820-9123

Runners-Up
Steven Phillip Ellis Jr.
CoxHealth Neurology - Springfield
417-875-3087

Mostafa Jafari
Mercy Neuro Hospitalist
417-820-8799

Lillian Frances Lewis
Mercy Neuro Hospitalist
417-820-8799

Ling Li
Mercy Neurology
417-820-9123

Benjamin Neil Lisle
CoxHealth Neurology - Springfield
417-875-3087

Jennifer Kathryn Lynch
CoxHealth Neurology - Springfield
417-875-3087

Steven M. Otto
CoxHealth Neurology - Springfield
417-875-3087

Ahmed Talib Moham Robbie
Mercy Stroke Center
417-820-3157

Nuclear Medicine
Winner
Robert E. Sonnemaker
Mercy Nuclear Medicine
417-820-6850

Runner-Up
Jordan Anthony Chance
Mercy Radiology
417-820-9729

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Winner
Darren L. Lehnert
Mercy OB/GYN
417-820-3890

Runners-Up
Mary Therese Duff
CoxHealth OB/GYN - Springfield
417-269-7900

Tama L. Franklin
CoxHealth OB/GYN - Springfield
417-269-6850

Juliette A. Gibbons
Mercy OB/GYN
417-820-3709

P. Michael Kidder
CoxHealth OB/GYN - Springfield
417-882-6900

Daphne R. LeMon
CoxHealth OB/GYN - Springfield
417-269-7900

Christina L. Litherland
Mercy OB/GYN
417-820-3890

Kristy Ann McCall
CoxHealth OB/GYN - Springfield
417-269-7900

Geoffery L. Stanczyk
Mercy OB/GYN
417-885-0827

Matthew Allen Weis
CoxHealth OB/GYN - Springfield
417-269-7900

Jennifer Lee Wolf
Mercy OB/GYN
417-885-0827

Barbara Ellen Wotherspoon
Mercy OB/GYN
417-820-3890

Occupational Medicine
Winner
Scott Aaron Galligos
Mercy Occupational Medicine
417-869-6191

Runner-Up
Randall Joseph Cross
CoxHealth Aviation Medicine
417-269-3319

Ophthalmology
Winner
Shachar Tauber
Mercy Eye Specialists
417-820-9393

Runners-Up
Adam Avery Carver
Mercy Eye Specialists
417-820-9393

C Byron Faulkner
Eye Surgeons of Springfield Inc
417-887-1965

Gary Todd Gillham
Mercy Eye Specialists
417-820-9393

James B. Mattax Jr.
Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center
417-886-3937

Judd Lee McNaughton
Eye Surgeons of Springfield Inc
417-887-1965

Thomas G. Prater
Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center
417-886-3937

Wendell J. Scott
Mercy Eye Specialists
417-820-9393

Zachary Dale Seagrave
Mercy Eye Specialists
417-820-9393

X. Kathy Sun
Mercy Eye Specialists
417-820-9393

Jacob K. Thomas
Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center
417-886-3937

Otolaryngology Ear Nose and Throat
Winners (Tie)
Jacob Edward Smith
CoxHealth Ear Nose & Throat - Springfield
417-875-3600

Mark J. Van Ess
Mercy Ear Nose and Throat
417-820-5750

Runners-Up
Anthony A. Bentley
CoxHealth Ear Nose & Throat - Springfield
417-875-3600

Jeffrey R. Fenwick
CoxHealth Ear Nose & Throat - Springfield
417-875-3600

David Gilley
CoxHealth Ear Nose & Throat - Springfield
417-875-3600

Benjamin Lucas Hodnett
Mercy Ear Nose and Throat
417-820-5750

Matthew Allen Kienstra
Mercy Plastic Surgery
417-887-3223

Rajeev Kumar Masson
Mercy Ear Nose and Throat
417-820-5750

Erich Daniel Mertensmeyer
Mercy Ear Nose and Throat
417-820-5750

Aaron R. Morrison
Mercy Ear Nose and Throat
417-820-5750

Rebecca L. Wiley
CoxHealth Ear Nose & Throat - Springfield
417-875-3600

Pain Management
Winner
Sadie Ochs Giedd
Mercy Pain Management
417-820-2064

Runners-Up
Jeremy Phillippe Broadnax
Mercy Pain Management
417-820-2064

Chukwudi Obiora Chiaghana
Mercy Pain Management
417-820-2064

Cameron Allan Hess
Mercy Pain Management
417-820-2064

Eric Wayne Stewart
Mercy Pain Management
417-820-2064

Pathology
Winner
Cassie Lee Booth
Mercy Pathology
417-820-2961

Runners-Up
Steven E. Collum
Mercy Pathology
417-820-2961

Christine L. Mitchell
Mercy Pathology
417-820-2961

Jamie Lynn Odem
Mercy Pathology
417-820-2961

Nicole Andrea Pele
Mercy Pathology
417-820-2961

Pediatric Allergy Immunology
Winner
Brett William Hronek
CoxHealth Allergy - Springfield
417-875-3742

Runner-Up
Minh-Thu Ngoc Le
CoxHealth Allergy - Springfield
417-875-3742

Pediatric Cardiology
Winner
Alan Dare Tong
Pediatrix Cardiology of Springfield
417-447-4704

Runner-Up
Frederick Konrad Emge
Pediatrix Cardiology of Springfield
417-447-4704

Pediatric Endocrinology
Winner
Katherine Quinn Hefner
CoxHealth Pediatric Specialties
417-269-1010

Pediatric Gastroenterology
Winner
Jody Nathaniel Hefner
CoxHealth Pediatric Specialties
417-269-1010

Pediatric General
Winner
John M. Burson
Mercy Pediatrics
417-820-3535

Runners-Up
Nupur Amritphale
Mercy Pediatrics
417-885-0810

Sara Lyn Caffey
Mercy Pediatrics
417-820-3535

Kody Blake Finstad
Mercy Pediatrics
417-724-5437

Louis Barton Hakan
CoxHealth Northside Pediatrics
417-269-8061

Karen M. Hearty
The Turner Center - CoxHealth
417-882-1600

Diane Nitta
CoxHealth Pediatric Center
417-269-2000

Emmanuel Adegboyega Obafemi-Ajayi
Mercy Pediatrics
417-885-0810

James L. Phillips
Mercy Pediatrics
417-820-5000

McKenzie Ann Smith
Mercy Pediatrics
417-820-3535

Kimberly D. Stoll
Mercy Pediatrics
417-820-3535

Mai Yen Vo
CoxHealth Pediatric Place
417-269-7290

Tuyet Yen Vo
CoxHealth Pediatric Place
417-269-7290

Laura E. Waters
Mercy Pediatrics
417-820-5000

Pediatric Neurology
Winner
James Jacob Collins
CoxHealth Pediatric Specialties
417-269-1010

Runner-Up
Jacqueline Anderson Hauer
Mercy Pediatrics
417-820-9055

Pediatric Pulmonary Disease
Winner
Silvia Andrea Cabrera Guerrero
Mercy Pediatric Pulmonology
417-820-9055

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Winner
Boyd David Crockett
CoxHealth Physical Medicine & Rehab - Springfield
417-875-3800

Runners-Up
Russell R. Bond
CoxHealth Physical Medicine & Rehab - Springfield
417-875-3800

Cary Marquis
CoxHealth Physical Medicine & Rehab - Springfield
417-875-3800

Ronald J. Pak
Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital
417-227-9000

Bradley Albert Schuessler
Mercy Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
417-730-3080

Podiatry
Winner
Dan D. Park
Mercy Podiatry
417-888-6708

Runners-Up
Tyler A. Grout
Mercy Podiatry
417-888-6708

Rhett b. lakin
Mercy Podiatry
417-888-6708

Michael David Marling
The Foot Doctors
417-883-1881

Mark A. Seiden
The Foot Doctors
417-883-1881

Psychiatry
Winners (Tie)
Dayana Arteaga
CoxHealth Psychiatry - Springfield
417-269-6891

Rex Eugene Taber
Mercy Marian Center
417-820-2914

Runners-Up
Alok Jain
Eustasis Psychiatric & Addiction Health
417-322-6622

Thomas Edward Kuich
Mercy Marian Center
417-820-2914

Pulmonary Disease
Winner
Amy Ruth Ford-Turner
CoxHealth Pulmonology - Springfield
417-875-3160

Runners-Up
Anees Fatima Afroze
CoxHealth Pulmonology - Springfield
417-875-3160

Mitchell Amos Ahrens
CoxHealth Pulmonology - Springfield
417-875-3160

Silvia Yamanic Alvarez De Leon
Mercy Pulmonology
417-820-8161

Terrence David Coulter
CoxHealth Pulmonology - Springfield
417-875-3160

Uma Kalyani Edupuganti
CoxHealth Pulmonology - Springfield
417-875-3160

Madhu Kalyan Pendurthi
Mercy Pulmonology
417-820-8161

Vimal Ravi
CoxHealth Pulmonology - Springfield
417-875-3160

Sadaf Sohrab
Mercy Pulmonology
417-820-8161

Radiation Oncology
Winner
Kimberly M. Creach
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-2468

Runners-Up
Ibrahim I. Abdalla
CoxHealth Radiation Oncology - Springfield
417-269-6115

Michael A. Albritton
CoxHealth Radiation Oncology - Springfield
417-269-6115

Christopher Fleighton Estes
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-2468

Nicholas Andrew Madden
CoxHealth Radiation Oncology - Springfield
417-269-6115

Nathan Yennumi Tonlaar
Mercy Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center
417-820-2468

Radiology
Winners (Tie)
Ryan Avery Birlew
Mercy Radiology
417-820-9729

Jordan Anthony Chance
Mercy Radiology
417-820-9729

Runners-Up
Gerald J. Ondr
Mercy Radiology
417-820-9729

Jacob Stewart Taussig
Mercy Radiology
417-820-9729

Michael John Workman
Jared Neuroscience Center
417-885-3888

Rheumatology
Winner
Timothy Joseph Hayes
Mercy Rheumatology
417-888-5664

Runners-Up
Lilian Bizzocchi
CoxHealth Rheumatology - Springfield
417-875-3555

Sarah El Chami
CoxHealth Rheumatology - Springfield
417-875-3555

Jo Ellen Feugate
Mercy Rheumatology
417-888-5664

Robotics
Winner
David Allan Anderson
CoxHealth Urology - Springfield
417-875-3381

Runners-Up
Christopher A. Edwards
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-3800

Marcia Lynn Hernandez
Mercy Oncology
417-820-3554

John Robert Hornick
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-3800

Timothy David Woods
CoxHealth Bariatric Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3593

Sports Medicine
Winner
Shannon Lee Woods
CoxHealth Sports Medicine - Springfield
417-875-3800

Runners-Up
Amanda Babcock
CoxHealth Sports Medicine - Springfield
417-875-3800

Joshua M. Brandon
CoxHealth Sports Medicine - Springfield
417-875-3800

Trevor Jay Conner
CoxHealth Sports Medicine - Springfield
417-875-3800

Eric Gifford
417 Sports Medicine & Orthopedics
417-771-3147

Landon D. Hough
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Royce David Moore
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Marc Propst
CoxHealth Sports Medicine - Springfield
417-875-3800

Richard Augustus Seagrave III
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Urgent Care
Winner
Jess LaVerne Lyon
CoxHealth Urgent Care
417-269-9817

Runner-Up
Jamie Jones
CoxHealth Urgent Care
417-269-9817

Urology
Winner
Eric Paul Guilliams
Mercy Urology
417-820-0300

Runners-Up
Alexander Geoffrey Shaw Anderson
CoxHealth Urology - Springfield
417-875-3381

David Allan Anderson
CoxHealth Urology - Springfield
417-875-3381

Jason Mark Bailey
CoxHealth Urology - Springfield
417-875-3381

Alex A. Henderson
CoxHealth Urology - Springfield
417-875-3381

Mark Joseph Milne
CoxHealth Urology - Springfield
417-875-3381

Tyrun K. Richardson
Mercy Urology
417-820-0300

Andrew David Schultz
CoxHealth Urology - Springfield
417-875-3381

Peter Joseph Trinca
CoxHealth Urology - Springfield
417-875-3381

Springfield, Missouri Surgical Specialties

Bariatric Surgery
Winner
Matthew Earl Simpson
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-533-6780
Editor’s Note: Dr. Matthew Earl Simpson was voted winner in Springfield but is currently practicing in Lebanon.

Runners-Up
Benjamin Christian CastroCoxHealth Bariatric Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3593

Victor Martins Costa
Mercy Clinic General and Specialty Surgery - S. Fremont
417-820-3800

Christopher A. Edwards
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-3800

Timothy David Woods
CoxHealth Bariatric Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3593

Breast Cancer Oncology Surgical
Winner
John R. Bumberry
Mercy Breast Surgery
417-820-9340

Runners-Up
Brian Douglas Biggers
CoxHealth Breast Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3761

John W. Buckner
CoxHealth Breast Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3761

Marcus Alan Henderson
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-3800

Mackenzie Blake Lesh
Mercy Breast Surgery
417-820-9340

Cardiovascular Surgery
Winner
John B. Steinberg
CoxHealth Cardiovascular Services - Springfield
417-875-2620

Runners-Up
Mark Richard Bonnell
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3960

Dante Caleb-Samuel Dali
Mercy Heart Hospital
417-820-3960

Matthew Clay Parmley
CoxHealth Cardiovascular Services - Springfield
417-875-2620

David Zolfaghari
CoxHealth Cardiovascular Services - Springfield
417-875-2620

Colon and Rectal Surgery
Winner
Jose M. Dominguez
CoxHealth Colorectal Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3276

Runners-Up
Rakesh Hegde
CoxHealth Colorectal Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3276

Jennifer Kristi Lu
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-3800

Megan Elizabeth Nicolas
CoxHealth Colorectal Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3276

Brian Richard Swenson
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-3800

John Matthew Trombold
CoxHealth Colorectal Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3276

General Orthopedic Surgery
Winner
William Hayward Duncan
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Runners-Up
Daniel Allen Bravin
CoxHealth Orthopedic Trauma - Springfield
417-875-3846

Ken John Carpenter
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

J. Peter Crites
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Robert Benjamin Jones
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Heath Melugin
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

David Joshua Merriman
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Richard Augustus Seagrave III
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Bradley H. Walz
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

William T. Wester
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Victor Warren Wilson
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

General Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Winner
Andrew James Kochevar
Mercy Plastic Surgery
417-820-9330

Runners-Up
Conner William Barnes
The Bone and Joint Center
417-875-3246

Matthew Allen Kienstra
Mercy Plastic Surgery
417-887-3223

Wade Daniel Kubat
Mercy Plastic Surgery
417-820-9330

Carl Price
The Center for Plastic Surgery
417-875-3246

Bharat Shah
Shah Plastic Surgery
417-742-7424

Robert Bruce Shaw Jr.
The Bone and Joint Center
417-875-3246

General Surgery
Winner
Matthew Earl Simpson
Mercy Clinic General Surgery
417-533-6780
Editor’s Note: Dr. Matthew Earl Simpson was voted winner in Springfield but is currently practicing in Lebanon.

Runners-Up
Zachary Tyler Beam
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-7250

John W. Buckner
CoxHealth Breast Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3761

John R. Bumberry
Mercy Breast Surgery
417-820-9340

Daniel Ray Cardwell
CoxHealth General Surgery - Springfield
417-875-7479

Krisi Ann Causa
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-7250

Brian Benjamin Draper
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-7250

Christopher A. Edwards
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-3800

Amanda Jo Fischer
CoxHealth General Surgery - Springfield
417-875-7479

Marcus Alan Henderson
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-3800

John Robert Hornick
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-3800

Robert Clay Johnson Jr.
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-7250

Spencer Park Kirk
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-3800

Kenneth W. Larson
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-7250

Joshua Aaron McElderry
CoxHealth Trauma Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3846

Mark David Nicolas
CoxHealth Trauma Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3846

Charles Ezekiel Woodall III
CoxHealth General Surgery - Springfield
417-875-7479

Timothy David Woods
CoxHealth Bariatric Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3593

Tessa Norene Woods
CoxHealth Trauma Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3846

Laparoscopic Surgery
Winner
Matthew Earl Simpson
Mercy Clinic General Surgery
417-533-6780
Editor’s Note: Dr. Matthew Earl Simpson was voted winner in Springfield but is currently practicing in Lebanon.

Runners-Up
Christopher A. Edwards
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-3800

John Robert Hornick
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-3800

Megan Elizabeth Nicolas
CoxHealth Colorectal Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3276

Charles Ezekiel Woodall III
CoxHealth General Surgery - Springfield
417-875-7479

Timothy David Woods
CoxHealth Bariatric Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3593

Neurological Surgery
Winner
Sami Khoshyomn
Mercy Neurosurgery
417-820-5150

Runners-Up
Brenton Raval Coger
Mercy Neurosurgery
417-820-5150

Edwin John Cunningham III
Jared Neuroscience Center
417-885-3888

Mayur Jayarao
Jared Neuroscience Center
417-885-3888

Sunghoon Lee
Mercy Neurosurgery
417-820-5150

J. Charles Mace
Jared Neuroscience Center
417-885-3888

Jordan Asher Magarik
Mercy Neurosurgery
417-820-5150

Chad Jason Morgan
Jared Neuroscience Center
417-885-3888

Adam Michael Olszewski
Mercy Neurosurgery
417-820-5150

Salim Rahman
Jared Neuroscience Center
417-885-3888

Alan Miles Scarrow
Mercy Neurosurgery
417-820-5150

Luke George Foley Smith
Mercy Neurosurgery
417-820-5150

Angela Nicole Spurgeon
Jared Neuroscience Center
417-885-3888

Robert Duane Strang
Jared Neuroscience Center
417-885-3888

Ophthalmologic Surgery
Winners (Tie)
James B. Mattax Jr.
Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center
417-886-3937

Shachar Tauber
Mercy Eye Specialists
417-820-9393

Runners-Up
Adam Avery Carver
Mercy Eye Specialists
417-820-9393

Thomas G. Prater
Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center
417-886-3937

Wendell J. Scott
Mercy Eye Specialists
417-820-9393

Zachary Dale Seagrave
Mercy Eye Specialists
417-820-9393

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Winner
J. David Gipson
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Group
417-887-8800

Orthopedics Foot and Ankle Surgery
Winner
Darin Lee Talley
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Runner-Up
David Christopher Hicks
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Orthopedics Hand Surgery
Winner
Victoria Diane Kubik
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Runners-Up
Vela Chebolu
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Erin Kent Greer
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Natasha Nichole Lewis
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

David Schippert
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Robert B. Wyrsch
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Orthopedics Joint Replacement Surgery
Winner
Robert Benjamin Jones
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Runners-Up
Lindsey Nicole Bravin
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Ken John Carpenter
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

J. Peter Crites
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

William Hayward Duncan
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Andrew Thomas Jackson
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Megan Jane Manthe
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Bradley H. Walz
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

William T. Wester
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Orthopedics Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy
Winner
Victor Warren Wilson
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Runners-Up
William Hayward Duncan
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Heath Melugin
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Richard Augustus Seagrave III
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

William T. Wester
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Orthopedics Trauma Surgery
Winner
David Joshua Merriman
Mercy Orthopedics
417-885-3000

Runners-Up
Anthony James Bell
Mercy Orthopedics
417-885-3000

Daniel Allen Bravin
CoxHealth Orthopedic Trauma - Springfield
417-875-3846

Lindsey Nicole Bravin
CoxHealth Orthopedics - Springfield
417-875-3800

Christopher Daniel Muncie
Mercy Orthopedics
417-885-3000

Dylan Nugent
CoxHealth Orthopedic Trauma - Springfield
417-875-3846

Brett Justin Pettett
Mercy Orthopedics
417-885-3000

David Andrew Volgas
CoxHealth Orthopedic Trauma - Springfield
417-875-3846

Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
Winner
Rajeev Kumar Masson
Mercy Ear Nose and Throat
417-820-5750

Runners-Up
Anthony A. Bentley
CoxHealth Ear Nose & Throat - Springfield
417-875-3600

David Gilley
CoxHealth Ear Nose & Throat - Springfield
417-875-3600

Benjamin Lucas Hodnett
Mercy Ear Nose and Throat
417-820-5750

Aaron R. Morrison
Mercy Ear Nose and Throat
417-820-5750

Jacob Edward Smith
CoxHealth Ear Nose & Throat - Springfield
417-875-3600

Mark J. Van Ess
Mercy Ear Nose and Throat
417-820-5750

Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Winner
Jeremy David Onnen
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
417-885-3000

Plastic Abdominoplasty
Winner
Bharat Shah
Shah Plastic Surgery
417-742-7424

Runners-Up
Conner William Barnes
The Bone and Joint Center
417-875-3246

Andrew James Kochevar
Mercy Plastic Surgery
417-820-9330

Carl Price
The Center for Plastic Surgery
417-875-3246

Robert Bruce Shaw Jr.
The Bone and Joint Center
417-875-3246

Plastic Breast Augmentation
Winner
Bharat Shah
Shah Plastic Surgery
417-742-7424

Runners-Up
Conner William Barnes
The Bone and Joint Center
417-875-3246

Andrew James Kochevar
Mercy Plastic Surgery
417-820-9330

Wade Daniel Kubat
Mercy Clinic Plastic Surgery - E. Seminole
417-820-9330

Carl Price
The Center for Plastic Surgery
417-875-3246

Robert Bruce Shaw Jr.
The Bone and Joint Center
417-875-3246

Plastic Facial Surgery
Winner
Matthew Allen Kienstra
Mercy Clinic Facial Plastic Surgery - S. Fremont
417-887-3223

Runners-Up
Conner William Barnes
The Bone and Joint Center
417-875-3246

Carl Price
The Center for Plastic Surgery
417-875-3246

Bharat Shah
Shah Plastic Surgery
417-742-7424

Robert Bruce Shaw Jr.
The Bone and Joint Center
417-875-3246

Podiatric Surgery
Winner
Dan D. Park
Mercy Podiatry
417-888-6708

Runner-Up
Mark A. Seiden
The Foot Doctors
417-883-1881

Spinal Surgery
Winner
Chad Jason Morgan
Jared Neuroscience Center
417-885-3888

Runners-Up
Brenton Raval Coger
Mercy Neurosurgery
417-820-5150

Mayur Jayarao
Jared Neuroscience Center
417-885-3888

Sami Khoshyomn
Mercy Neurosurgery
417-820-5150

Sunghoon Lee
Mercy Neurosurgery
417-820-5150

J. Charles Mace
Jared Neuroscience Center
417-885-3888

Surgical Oncology
Winner
Charles Ezekiel Woodall III
CoxHealth General Surgery - Springfield
417-875-7479

Runners-Up
Brian Douglas Biggers
CoxHealth Breast Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3761

John W. Bucker
CoxHealth Breast Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3761

Trauma Surgery
Winner
Matthew Earl Simpson
Mercy Clinic General Surgery
417-533-6780
Editor’s Note: Dr. Matthew Earl Simpson was voted winner in Springfield but is currently practicing in Lebanon.

Runners-Up
Cody Jamison Barnes
CoxHealth Trauma Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3846

Zachary Tyler Beam
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-7250

Krisi Ann Causa
Mercy General and Specialty Surgery
417-820-7250

Amanda Elizabeth Chelednik
CoxHealth Trauma Surgery - Springfield
417-875-3846