Navy Veteran, Jo Crabtree, has had ER nursing experience since 1999. She is also a 2011 graduate from the Frontier Nursing University. Jo is currently attending Walden University and will graduate this summer with Doctor of Nursing Practice. She loves spending time with her husband, David; Maxx her Australian Shepherd. Jo has 3 children and 8 grandchildren. In her spare time Jo enjoys gardening, cooking, all outdoor activities, travel and motorcycle riding.
Dr. Joseph Toney “Dr. Joe” was born and raised in Piedmont Missouri. After graduating from SEMO in 2004, then Kirksville College of Osteopathist Medicine in 2008 and later SIU Family Medicine residency in 2011, Dr. Joe returned to his hometown of Piedmont, MO. He has a passion to help his community by practicing family and addiction medicine at the Missouri Highlands Health Medical Clinic in Piedmont. When he’s not caring for those in his community, Dr. Joe enjoys hiking, cycling and spending time with his family. Ask about the MAT program.
Jill Bleything, DMD is from Viburnum, MO. She graduated from William Woods University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. She worked as a dental assistant in the St. Louis and St. Francois county areas for 8 years before returning to school to pursue becoming a dentist. She earned a second Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri St. Louis in Independent Studies with a double minor in Biology and Chemistry graduating with honors. She earned her doctorate degree and certificate in public health from A.T. Still University, Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health. She enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, camping, floating, hiking and horseback riding.
Sonya DiCiro completed her Master’s degree in Nursing at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1997. She has been a nurse for 39 years and graduated from Three Rivers College in 1983. Since that time she has practiced in primary care, labor and delivery, diabetes management and internal medicine. She is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and has an AADE certification as a CDE, Certified Diabetes Educator. Sonya is also a Clinical Faculty professor with Walden University in the MSN/NP program. Gestational diabetes and menopause management are particular areas of interest for this nurse practitioner.
Sonya is married to Kurt DiCiro and is a mother and grandmother. She resides in her hometown of Poplar Bluff, MO. Her hobbies are gardening, decorating, traveling and photography.
Jody Spain is an alumna of the local Three Rivers College nursing program and completed her Master’s Degree at the University of Missouri. She has been practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner, alongside Dr McSpadden, since 2010. She is board certified through the ANCC and has a special interest in obstetrical care, gestational diabetes management, adolescent gynecology, and vulvovaginal disorders. She and her two children, Nick and Marley, reside in Poplar Bluff.
Farrah McSpadden, MD is a Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist. She graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2005 and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Grand Rapids Medical Education Consortium in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2009. She is a veteran with 11 years of service in the Army Reserves as a Major. Dr. McSpadden has practiced in the Poplar Bluff, Missouri and surrounding areas for thirteen years. She has served as the Chief of Staff for three years and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatrics for eight years at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She joined Missouri Highlands Healthcare in July of 2019 where she has continued to practice. She resides in Van Buren, Missouri with her husband and children. Dr. McSpadden enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking and spending time on Current River with her family and friends.
Originally from central Illinois, Angie has been in southeast Missouri for the past 23 years. She received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Angie has training in several disciplines including Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Angie has over 16 years of experience in helping individuals improve their mental health by improving physical health, managing and expressing emotions, handling stress more effectively, and improving abilities for problem-solving and conflict resolution. She is devoted to providing a therapeutic experience in which people can feel respected and heard.
When she is not working, Angie enjoys dancing, traveling, distance running, and exploring beautiful Southeast Missouri’s parks, rivers, and lakes, having hiked the majority of the Ozark Trail.
Michelle Health, FNP has been a Registered Nurse since 2005. She has worked critical care and outpatient oncology. She has been ANCC certified Family Nurse Practitioner since February of 2017. Michelle is relocating from the Poplar Bluff area to be closer to family in St. Francis County, where she grew up. Michelle enjoys spending time with family, gardening and reading.
Lori Baker-Montgomery has been employed with Missouri Highlands Health Care since 2019. She has served as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker offering mental health therapy and behavioral health consulting at the Shannon County Family Clinic and Ellington Family Clinic. Lori is now serving in the additional role of Behavioral Health Director. She continues to provide in-person and telehealth clinical services for clients two days per week.
Lori has over 22 years of experience working in a variety of settings; including community mental health, schools and hospice. She specializes in treating children and adults with trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and behavior issues. She provides a safe, non-judgmental therapeutic experience for clients to process current and past life stressors and learn to manage difficult emotions.
Lori is certified in the evidenced-based trauma treatment of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and trained in numerous other treatment types including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Ego State Therapy, Play Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Person Centered Therapy. She works with her clients in achieving their goals in order to improve their mental health, physical health, overall well being and happiness. Lori earned her Masters of Social Work with a Family Health Concentration from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO in 2000. She is originally from Summersville and currently resides in Eminence. Lori’s interests include spending time with her family, reading, traveling and exploring the Ozarks. She feels fortunate to be able to return to her native area and contribute to the mental health of others.
Dr. Kimberlee Barnes is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in the states of Missouri and Georgia. She received her Bachelors of Arts from the University of Massachusetts in Psychology, her Masters of Education from Lesley University in Counseling Psychology and her Doctorate from Georgia School of Professional Psychology/Argosy University in Child and Family Therapy. She has worked in the profession for over 30 years. Prior to moving to Missouri, Dr. Barnes worked in a private practice in Georgia. Dr. Barnes also worked for the University of Georgia providing mental health treatment to students in need. In addition, she has worked as a Crisis Worker in Mental Health facilities and hospitals. She worked as a Crisis Reunification therapist for teens placed in shelters. She has experience with treating trauma, adjustment disorders, grief, anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and various forms of abuse. Her experience includes working with children, teens, adults, families and couples. Dr. Barnes utilizes a variety of therapeutic techniques depending on the individual and the presenting issues.
Cynthia Brown is excited to start her career as an LCSW at Missouri Highlands Health Care. She has an MSW from University of Missouri-Columbia and an MPH from Columbia University School of Public Health. Social Work is Cynthia’s second career. She has an MD from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She is an Obstetrician-Gynecologist and Preventive Medicine physician. She is also Board Certified in Preventive Medicine and Public Health. She is providing Behavioral Health Consultation and therapy.
Cynthia is active in her community. She has served on the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District Board of Education since 2004. She is also an Autism Advocate.
Susan Byerley is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She is a graduate of Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. She has been a nurse practitioner for over 30 years. She enjoys living in rural Missouri with her husband and two cats. She has many hobbies including gardening, hiking, camping, canoeing, crafts and restoring vintage sewing machines.
Terra is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Southeast Missouri State University, and went on to graduate from the University of Missouri, Columbia with her Master’s Degree in Social Work. Terra has 14 years of experience working in a variety of settings, including hospice care and minimum-security and maximum-security mental health facilities. She has worked with both individuals and groups, provided care in client homes, taught psycho-educational classes in inpatient hospitals, and provided long term and intensive group therapy, offering crisis intervention as necessary in each role she has served. She specializes in end of life issues, grief, addressing past trauma, mental illness, and working with criminal and sexual offenders. She works with both children and adults, as well as individuals and families, utilizing a broad approach to best meet the needs of each client. Terra has continued to further her education and knowledge in order to best assist those she works with. She has obtained advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and risk assessment and treatment of sexual offenders. Terra resides in Annapolis with her husband and three sons. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and exploring nature.
Kathreen (Katie) Friend was born in Poplar Bluff Missouri and grew up in Doniphan. She graduated from Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center in 1997 with her LPN degree. While furthering her education she worked for 10 years at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Pediatrics and Neonatal Care, while employed there, she graduated in 2001 from Three Rivers College with an Associate Degree in Nursing and in 2005 from Southeast Missouri State with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. In 2005 she became the Director of Children’s Services at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and also began working at St Louis Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In 2007 she graduated from St Louis University with a Master Degree in Pediatric Nursing with a Neonatal Specialty. She began work back in her hometown of Doniphan as a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the Ripley County Family Clinic and has been employed in the same building ever since. She is a Member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, the Doniphan R1 School Board, Doniphan Sports Booster club, and the Spiritual Life and Discipleship Board at the Doniphan First Church of God. She resides in Doniphan with her husband Roy and three daughters, Jakelyn, Jenna, and Jaysa. She loves kayaking on Current River, vacationing to new places, exploring nature, watching her daughters play sports and attending church.
