Gebre Achieves Dream Of Helping With Medicine
Asefa “Sef” Gebre has had a passion for people and medicine for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Ethiopia, he hoped to one day pursue a career in the medical field.
“I grew up in an area where people didn’t think about medical care at all because there weren’t any medical providers near,” Gebre said. “If you were sick, take a Tylenol and keep going.”
“I always wanted to do something with medicine so that people in under-served areas would have care,” he said. “I grew up with that passion.”
Gebre found a niche for his passion for people and medicine at Elk River Health Services. Earlier this year he joined the staff at Anderson Rural Health Clinic, where he sees people of all ages and from every walk of life.
He is based in Anderson but also works in Dr. David Hill’s other three clinics: Goodman Family Clinic, Pineville Medical Clinic and Southwest City Community Clinic.
“Sef,” as he prefers to be called, immigrated to the United States in his early 20s. He attended State University of New York at Buffalo before opting for a warmer climate and settling in Joplin. Shortly after relocating, Gebre received a scholarship to study at Ozark Christian College.
In 2009, while attending Ozark Christian College, Gebre’s ties to McDonald County began to form. The president of OCC received an email from a Noel resident concerning the variety of cultures in the area and the challenges many face when integrating into a new way of life. The resident asked if there was anyone that would be
willing to work with these people.
An immigrant himself, Gebre understood the struggle firsthand. Gebre and his wife formed an unofficial school to help these people navigate everyday hurdles.
“Many of them were refugees,” he said. “This was all new.”
They focused on language, health and hygiene, American customs and general education. With the guidance of Sef and his wife, Kara, a number of students received their GED and went on to pursue higher education at Crowder College.
His concern and compassion for the community continued as he began his medical training at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin for his undergraduate degree and pursued his Master of Physician Assistant at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo.
Anderson Rural Health Clinic is a part of Elk River Health Services Inc. serving the health-care needs in McDonald County for more than 36 years.
Dr. Coral Couchenour, Sef’s collaborating physician, is proud to have him on the medical team.
“Sef does a great job. He’s compassionate, smart and energetic,” Couchenour said.
The clinics serve patients from Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. When asked what keeps them coming back, Gebre credited the staff’s sincere concern for each person that walks through the door.
“For us, taking time with the patient, listening to them, and getting deep into their concern is our philosophy — caring about the people,” Sef said.
Anderson Rural Health Clinic is located at 104 E. Main St., in downtown Anderson. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; appointments can be scheduled by calling 417-845-6984. Dr Hill’s clinics see patients of all ages for acute and chronic conditions. They do complete adult physicals, DOT physicals, children’s wellness physicals and sports physicals, health screenings, preventative care and immunizations for all ages. They see prenatal and postpartum patients collaborating with OB specialist.