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Nestled in the heart of the Ozarks, Springfield, Missouri, is often described as a vibrant crossroads of culture, education, and natural beauty. But beyond its historic downtown and scenic trails, Springfield stands out as a regional healthcare powerhouse, offering advanced medical facilities and compassionate care. As the third-largest city in Missouri, Springfield serves not only its 170,000+ residents but also the broader southwest Missouri region and parts of northern Arkansas and eastern Kansas.
From trauma centers and specialized surgical hospitals to top-tier cancer institutes and community clinics, the city boasts a range of healthcare institutions committed to high-quality, patient-centered care. In this article, we explore the major hospitals in Springfield, MO, what they offer, and why they are central to healthcare delivery in the region.
An Overview of Healthcare in Springfield
Springfield is home to a robust healthcare infrastructure, anchored by two major healthcare systems: CoxHealth and Mercy Health System. Together, these institutions form the backbone of the city’s healthcare services, offering comprehensive care that spans emergency medicine, surgery, cancer treatment, women’s health, rehabilitation, and more.
In addition to these major hospital systems, Springfield is also home to the Jordan Valley Community Health Center, the Burrell Behavioral Health system, and Ozarks Community Hospital, each serving unique roles in enhancing access and improving public health outcomes.
Let’s explore each major hospital and healthcare facility to understand what makes Springfield a trusted center for healing and wellness.
1. CoxHealth – Cox Medical Center South
Location: 3801 S National Ave, Springfield, MO
Type: Non-Profit, Regional Referral Center
Founded: 1906
Beds: 600+
Cox Medical Center South is the flagship hospital of the CoxHealth system, one of the largest employer-owned health systems in Missouri. With a history of over a century, Cox South has evolved into a Level I Trauma Center and Level I STEMI center, equipped to handle the most complex cases in southwest Missouri.
Key Services:
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Emergency and Trauma Care
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Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery
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Women’s Health and Neonatal Intensive Care
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Cancer Treatment at Hulston Cancer Center
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Orthopedic and Spine Surgery
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Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery
Why It Stands Out:
Cox South is known for its commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, and community service. It’s a teaching hospital affiliated with Missouri State University and offers numerous residency and fellowship programs. Its investment in cutting-edge technology, like the Da Vinci robotic surgical system, reflects its dedication to staying at the forefront of medical advancement.
2. Mercy Hospital Springfield
Location: 1235 E Cherokee St, Springfield, MO
Type: Catholic, Non-Profit
Founded: 1906
Beds: 880+
Mercy Hospital Springfield is a cornerstone of the Mercy Health System, one of the top five large U.S. health systems. It is an integrated care facility offering a full spectrum of services, from general surgery to specialized cancer and heart care. As a Level I Stroke Center and Level I Trauma Center, Mercy is a trusted facility for emergency and tertiary care.
Key Services:
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Cancer Care at the Mercy Cancer Center
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Cardiovascular and Heart Institute
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Neurology and Neurosurgery
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Pediatrics and Neonatal ICU
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Palliative and Hospice Care
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Maternity and Women’s Health Services
Why It Stands Out:
Mercy is widely respected for its faith-based mission, which emphasizes compassion, dignity, and service. It was among the first hospitals in the country to implement a completely integrated electronic health record system, improving patient outcomes and safety. Mercy’s affiliation with Mayo Clinic Care Network also gives local doctors access to national expertise.
3. Jordan Valley Community Health Center
Location: 440 E Tampa St, Springfield, MO
Type: Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)
Focus: Affordable and Accessible Care
Founded in 2003, Jordan Valley Community Health Center (JVCHC) has become one of the largest community health providers in southwest Missouri. Serving more than 60,000 patients annually, JVCHC offers comprehensive primary, dental, vision, and behavioral health services.
Key Services:
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Family and Pediatric Medicine
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Prenatal and Women’s Health
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Behavioral and Mental Health
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Dental and Vision Services
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Pharmacy and Lab Services
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On-site Case Management and Outreach
Why It Stands Out:
Jordan Valley is vital for uninsured and underinsured populations, providing care on a sliding fee scale. The center partners with schools, shelters, and correctional facilities to reach the most vulnerable, ensuring no one is left without access to care.
4. Ozarks Community Hospital (OCH)
Location: 2828 N National Ave, Springfield, MO
Type: Private, Community-Based
Focus: Underserved and Rural Populations
Ozarks Community Hospital is a critical access hospital that provides primary, urgent, and specialty care to underserved communities. Its network includes rural health clinics throughout Missouri and Arkansas.
Key Services:
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Emergency Room Services
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Outpatient Surgery
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Family Practice and Internal Medicine
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Geriatric and Long-Term Care
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Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services
Why It Stands Out:
OCH specializes in integrated rural healthcare, with a focus on chronic disease management and continuity of care. Its mission is to offer affordable care options to communities that face transportation or financial barriers.
5. Burrell Behavioral Health
Location: 1300 E Bradford Pkwy, Springfield, MO
Type: Non-Profit, Behavioral Health Network
While not a hospital in the traditional sense, Burrell Behavioral Health plays a central role in Springfield’s healthcare landscape. It is one of the largest mental health providers in the Midwest, offering services in more than 25 counties across Missouri and Arkansas.
Key Services:
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Outpatient Counseling and Therapy
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Psychiatry and Medication Management
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Substance Use Disorder Programs
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Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Why It Stands Out:
Burrell emphasizes holistic, trauma-informed care, working closely with hospitals, schools, law enforcement, and social services. With the rise of mental health concerns nationwide, Burrell is a regional leader in addressing emotional and psychological well-being.
Specialty and Surgical Centers
In addition to full-service hospitals, Springfield is also home to numerous specialty and ambulatory surgical centers, such as:
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Cox Surgery Center
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Mercy Orthopedic Hospital
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Springfield Neurological and Spine Institute
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Ferrell-Duncan Clinic (multi-specialty clinic affiliated with CoxHealth)
These facilities provide elective, outpatient, and specialized surgical care, offering high-quality treatment with shorter recovery times and lower costs compared to traditional inpatient settings.
Education, Research, and Innovation
Springfield is also a center for medical education and research. Both CoxHealth and Mercy are teaching hospitals, offering residency programs in family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and more.
The city is home to the University of Missouri School of Medicine Clinical Campus, providing third- and fourth-year medical students hands-on training. Additionally, Ozarks Technical Community College and Missouri State University contribute significantly to nursing, allied health, and public health training.
Public Health Challenges and Responses
While Springfield’s healthcare institutions are strong, the region faces several public health challenges, including:
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High rates of obesity, diabetes, and smoking
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Mental health and substance use disorders
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Access disparities in rural areas
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Hospital staffing shortages in nursing and specialized care
To combat these challenges, city and county health departments, along with hospitals, have implemented:
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Community health needs assessments
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Mobile health clinics
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Substance abuse treatment expansion
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Mental health crisis hotlines
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Telehealth and remote monitoring initiatives
Springfield’s collaborative approach between public agencies, private hospitals, and non-profits is a model for mid-sized American cities.
Patient Experience and Safety
Both CoxHealth and Mercy Hospital Springfield consistently receive high ratings for patient satisfaction, safety, and clinical performance. Features like online appointment booking, patient portals, telehealth consultations, and virtual second opinions have made care more accessible and transparent.
CoxHealth and Mercy have received accolades from:
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U.S. News & World Report
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Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades
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Healthgrades for Patient Safety Excellence
These recognitions reflect a continued commitment to quality assurance, infection control, and innovation.
Conclusion
Hospitals in Springfield, MO, are more than buildings—they are community pillars that provide essential, compassionate, and cutting-edge care to a diverse population. From the comprehensive services at Cox South and Mercy to the outreach efforts of Jordan Valley and OCH, Springfield exemplifies what it means to build a community-based, patient-centered healthcare ecosystem.
In a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, Springfield has managed to blend innovation with accessibility, technology with humanity, and specialization with a deep sense of service. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or just passing through, you can rest assured that quality healthcare in Springfield is never far away.