In 1994, Boyz II Men had two number one hits, and the Dallas Cowboys handed the Buffalo Bills a 30-13 loss in Super Bowl XXVIII. That same year, a young Dr. Steven Newbold, who was working at a large medical practice in Kansas City, made the decision to come back to rural southwest Missouri to practice medicine closer to home.

After 26 years of helping families with their medical needs, Dr. Newbold hung up his stethoscope one last time at Cox Family Medicine of Monett in mid-July, transitioning his practice to CoxHealth Center Steeplechase in Springfield.

The commute from his house to his new clinic will take less than 10 minutes, which he admits helped entice his decision, along with the opportunity to spend more time with his family and grandchildren.

“I have been commuting from Springfield to Monett for the last eight to 10 years or so,” he said. “The opportunity to practice medicine closer to my home in Springfield will allow me to have coffee in the morning and dinner at night with my wife, which is something I am very much looking forward to.”

Dr. Newbold grew up an Aurora Houn Dawg. He comes from a family of three football playing, competitive, mischievous boys, with all the boys growing up to embark on successful careers. Kevin is a certified public accountant in Aurora and Darrin is a banker in Monett.

“My parents deserve a lot of credit for instilling the ability to serve others in all three of us boys,” he said. “I believe we all turned out okay.”

Over the years, thousands of patients have entrusted Dr. Newbold with their care. However, the longtime physician admits, there are a few memories that will stick with him forever.

“I was sewing a little guy up one day who had fallen on the playground and his mom all of a sudden apologized to me for the way she had acted the week before,” he says. “She went on to tell me that she was upset with me because she had to wait so long. As she was sitting here watching me sew up her son’s finger, it made her realize that I was probably helping another little fella, and that was all she needed to understand what I go through on a daily basis. I just found that comment very validating – that what I do for a living is meaningful.”

Another one of Dr. Newbold’s patient’s was deer hunting and began to have horrible, crushing chest pains. This man should have right then went to the ER, but he ended up shooting a deer, dragging it back to his truck, and then came in to see me. A stress test was ordered and the next day he had quintuple bypass surgery.

Looking back, he admits a lot has happened in the world, to his patients, and to him personally. Losing his daughter in a car wreck, the Joplin tornado, the Pierce City tornado, and the aftermath of Sept. 11.

“I have been through it all with my patients,” he said. “The hardest part is saying good-bye to a patient when you both know this will be the last time you will see them on this heavenly earth,” he said. “My patients have become like family to me, taking care of them has been a tremendous honor, and I am forever grateful.”

Dr. Newbold says he certainly made the right career choice to become a physician and personally feels responsible for all his patients, with a goal of making them feel comfortable. He has especially enjoyed watching young patients grow up to become adults.

“Small town medicine allows a physician to take care of a lot of families,” he said. “After 26 years, I think I have made all the family connections; then I realize Sally is a sister to John, and it just amazes me that I never knew that. Looking back now, they do look quite a bit alike.”

Another story that comes to mind is reflecting back on his commute from Springfield to Monett every day.

“I was running a little late and I got pulled over on H Highway. It took the officer a second to turn around and catch up with me, so I was a little nervous,” he says jokingly. “He walked up to the window, instantly recognized me and said, “Darn it, Doc!” Turns out, he was a former high school football player that I knew. We ended up talking for a while. It was nice to see him.”

Dr. Newbold is quick to give credit to the wonderful staff and colleagues he has worked with over the years.

“It’s been quite a run to work with compassionate, dedicated individuals who really care about our patients as much as I do,” he said. “We have always tried to do what was best for the patient. These are the same people who give everything they have each and every day – I wouldn’t have lasted as long here without them."

For patients who would like to continue to see Dr. Newbold without having to drive to Springfield, there is a new option through Virtual Visits (video technology). Patients are welcome to call CoxHealth Steeplechase Center at 417-886-4410 to see if the visit can be done virtually.

Dr. Tobin Crow, Susan Bounous, FNP, Hailey Tettenhorst, FNP, and Deborah Blinzler, FNP, are accepting new patients at Cox Family Medicine of Monett. To make an appointment, visit coxhealth.com or call 417-236-2410.

Due to COVID-19, a farewell celebration for Dr. Newbold will not be held. If patients would like to send their well wishes to Dr. Newbold and thank him for his service, please mail them to: CoxHealth Center Steeplechase, 1530 E. Republic Road, Springfield, MO 65804.

Longtime CoxHealth physician bids farewell to Monett community: `I will be forever grateful'