MU Health Care

09/03/2025

Physical therapy isn’t just stretching and foam rolling. And it’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all approach. From tiny needles to specialized tools, our physical therapists use a range of techniques to help relieve pain and get you moving again.

09/02/2025

Help us welcome Renae Belt, the newest member of our behavioral health team at MU Health Care! She believes meaningful change starts with listening and works alongside her patients to understand their goals and support their growth.

She is now accepting new patients at the Family Medicine Clinic in Versailles. See her full profile to learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wVpcf

08/29/2025

We’re excited to share that MU Health Care has been named High Performing in Back Surgery — Spinal Fusion in U.S. News and World Report's 2025–26 “Best Hospitals” ratings!

Spinal fusion is a procedure that stabilizes the spine and relieves pain. And since 2010, our orthopaedic, neurosurgery and pediatric experts have performed nearly 9,000 of these surgeries, helping patients find relief and get back to doing what they love.

A huge congratulations to our team on this recognition. We couldn't be prouder!

08/26/2025

Help us welcome Justin Bedford, our new dermatology nurse practitioner, to MU Health Care! With 13 years of experience, Justin specializes in skin cancer surveillance and treatment. He sees patients in Jefferson City, Mexico and Columbia. See his full profile to learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wVd9y

08/25/2025

Wipawee “Joy” Winuthayanon didn't plan to leave the bedside.

While training to be a nurse in Thailand, Joy completed a midwifery rotation. She cared for women throughout their pregnancies, sometimes leading to joyful outcomes, other times to quiet heartbreak.

“I loved following patients through pregnancy and seeing their happy ending. But no one talks about the other side — the failures, the losses… I wanted to find answers to the questions no one was asking.”

She left nursing, moved to the U.S. and began researching.

Now, as an associate professor in our Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, Joy leads a research team focused on fertility, inflammation and contraception.

“When I worked in the clinic, I saw how certain stigmas affected people and how hard it was for people to ask questions. That stayed with me.”

Infertility now affects 1 in 5 women in the U.S., yet it remains something people hesitate to talk about.

“It’s more common than people realize... And it’s not a failure. It’s a medical condition. People deserve answers.”

For Joy, the work is personal. What started with questions at the bedside is now helping patients feel less alone and giving them more options for their future.

08/21/2025

Did somebody say SEVEN years in a row? 👀

We are so proud to share MU Health Care has once again been named as one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Employers! And it’s all thanks to our incredible team members who make this an amazing place to work and grow.

Interested in joining our team and helping to make a difference? Explore our open positions today: https://brnw.ch/21wV5GH

08/19/2025

Primary care isn't just for when you're sick. Our very own Dr. Sarah Swofford shares why getting connected with a provider now can make a big difference in your overall health.

08/18/2025

With a new school year comes a new season of sports — and unfortunately, sports injuries.

Our sports medicine expert, Dr. Clayton Nuelle, says August and September are when we see the most injuries in youth athletes. Check out his 7 tips to help keep your athlete healthy this season!

And if an injury does happen, our walk-in Sports Medicine Injury Clinics in Columbia and Jefferson City are there to get them back in the game.

If you want to prevent sports injuries in young athletes, you need to know how to hydrate properly, eat like an athlete and avoid overuse injuries.

08/15/2025

Sleep isn’t a luxury, even though it might feel like it some days. It’s a necessity, and without enough of it, it can wreak havoc on your days. Our sleep medicine expert breaks down 5 habits that might be sabotaging your rest.

08/14/2025

We’re excited to share MU Health Care has been named High Performing for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) in U.S. News and World Report's 2025–26 “Best Hospitals” ratings!

TAVR is a minimally invasive way to replace a damaged heart valve, which means a smaller incision and quicker recovery compared to open-heart surgery.

Since performing our very first TAVR in 2014, our heart and vascular team has helped save and improve the lives of more than 640 patients. Congratulations to this incredible team!

08/13/2025

When Hudson was 2, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and hereditary spastic paraplegia — conditions that kept his muscles so tight, it felt like constant charley horse cramps from his hips to his calves. Standing, walking and even sitting was painful, even with support.

Hudson's parents worried they might have to travel far from home for specialized care. But instead, they found it just minutes away at our Children's Hospital in Columbia.

Since then, his team of experts at MU Health Care has worked together to ease his pain and help him gain more independence as he grows. Dr. Jane Emerson used targeted injections to keep his muscles from getting too tight. Once those treatments stopped benefitting him, pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Carolyn Quinsey performed a surgery that finally gave his muscles relief. And physical therapist Carson Miller has helped him rebuild his leg strength through exercises and swimming after surgery.

“I don’t know if Hudson will ever walk, but I feel like with Dr. Emerson, Dr. Quinsey and Carson on his team, there’s a way better shot of that happening,” his mom, Shayna, said. “I firmly believe there’s nothing he can’t do.”

08/12/2025

We had an incredible time at our 12th Annual Parkinson’s Disease Conference last weekend!

With nearly 200 attendees, caregivers, family members and patients got a chance to connect, build a community of support and learn about new therapies for Parkinson's disease. Huge thanks to everyone who joined us!