Medical and Health in the Ozark Mountains

Medical and Health facilities Iwould consider to be adaquite in the Branson and Ozark MountianCountry.

Skaggs Hospitalis in the city of Branson and about 30 miles north in the city ofSpringfield, Mo are two very large hospitals. St. JohnsandCox Hospital and they haveclinics located in most small towns and villages in the region. CoxAir Care alsoprovides medicalemergency helicopter service in the area.

One fellow told me at therecent Health Show that goes on here every spring at the BransonConvention Center that he movedto Branson because his child was Autistic and there were 3 SpecialistDoctors in that field available in the area. There are many other typesof specialists and also special technique services available here also.

Taney County AmbulanceDistrict provides the ambulanceservice in our area and the local fire department personal are alsotrained in emergency first aid and are dispatched to the scene of firesand accidents and they can assist until a higher level of care can beprovided. I have been on our local volunteer fire department inMinnesota for over 35 years as a firefighter/first responder/trainingofficer and know quite abit about emergency medical service. Our Bio.Here we live on the south side of TableRock Lake just across from thedock of the ShowboatBranson Bell but it is 22 milesaround the lake to Branson. I am happy about one thing and somewhatconcerned about another and that is I am happy that the MDOT finishedthe 2nd lane of highway 65 from Branson to the Arkansas line and thehighway was double line at those points prior. That cuts our traveltime to Branson almost in half.

Iam concerned because so many folks get killed on these Ozark Mountainroads. They are somewhat narrow and have no shoulders and the ditchesare chiseled out of solid stone and several times a week we see wherefolks get killed and the paper says the vehicle left the roadway andeither collided with a stone wall or turned over several times or hit atree or pole. One Lady missing for a month was found killed when hercar left the road and went into a canyon and was completely hidden inthe woods and someone strolling in the area just came across the sceneand that was in the city limits. This is very dangerous and also thefact without shoulders on the roadway there is no where to pull over tolet emergency vehicles pass. Do to a couple factors (Folks old age) andslower truck traffic quite often there is bumper to bumper traffic onthese windy mountain roads and folks take chances in trying to pass andcause accidents. Also do to high traffic at times it is dangerous totry to transport someone with a emergency medical condition in aprivate vehicle.

There seems to be adequate Dentist, Chiropractor, Private Clinics with Blood Dialysis and Therapy facility also.

There is a fair share of poverty especially in the small villages in the Ozark Mountain Country and we see alcohol and drugs as a major problem with both accident and social issues. I believe Missouri still leads the charts in Meth Labs. All in all I think this is a very healthy place to live if you are careful and watchfully. Folks seem to be very calm and laid back and they are very friendly and helpful.

HillFamily Chiropractic Information
BransonsMedical Facility