New provider joins CoxHealth Center Shell Knob

A new provider has joined CoxHealth Center Shell Knob, and is excited about helping patients throughout the community improve their health.

Lauren Argo, a nurse practitioner, decided to pursue health care as a profession because of her father. Unfortunately, several years ago, he passed away from lung cancer only three months after receiving a diagnosis. The tragedy ultimately fueled her desire to increase access to health care in rural areas.

“That experience inspired me to go back to school and get into medicine to help make health care more available in rural communities,” says Lauren.

After receiving a degree in Biology and Chemistry from William Jewell University, she went back to school at Cox College, where she received her Bachelor’s in Nursing and began her career as an intensive care nurse at Cox South.

Lauren later decided to continue her education, and graduated from the Family Nurse Practitioner Program through Maryville University – which provided a pathway to serve the Shell Knob community.

“When I interviewed at CoxHealth Center Shell Knob I knew that it was where I needed to be,” says Lauren. “I love rural health because I grew up in a rural community and with the experience of my father having a late diagnoses of cancer, I have a passion to provide care and stress preventative medicine to rural communities.”

As a nurse practitioner, Lauren does many of the same things as a doctor – such as prescribing medication, examining patients, diagnosing illnesses, providing treatment and creating plans for better health.

“I really care about my patients,” says Lauren. “I want to work with them to create plans to help improve their health. I have found that if patients are more involved in creating the plans, they usually stick with them better. I also always want my patients to feel like they can ask questions if they are not fully understanding why we are doing something.”

Lauren is married to her husband, Brandon, and they have three children: Isabella, Ariana and Alexandra.

Lauren is currently accepting new patients. To make an appointment, please call the clinic at (417) 269-2470.