Doctors are people too. In Behind the White Coat, Jefferson City Magazine takes readers beyond the practice to reveal the personal stories of local physicians.
Samuel Hughes, MD | Family Physician | SSM Health
My name is Samuel Hughes, and I grew up in the countryside just outside of Springfield, Illinois.
I received my undergraduate degree and medical degree at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. While in medical school, I worked heavily with the homeless populations and really enjoyed it. My wish is that our health care system could include universal health care in order to help more people. I believe there is a wonderful opportunity for us to strengthen our sense of community and foster connections with our neighbors, which would be a fantastic step forward for everyone.
After medical school, I entered active duty service for the Air Force and completed my training in Omaha, Nebraska, where I met my wife, Haleigh. We were then stationed at Misawa Air Force Base in Northern Japan, where I worked as an urgent care/emergency physician for four years. Being stationed in Japan ended up being an amazing and transformative four years that helped me grow as a physician and a person.
My favorite part about being a doctor is that I like being a part of a person’s positive journey and being a trusted advisor to others. In my opinion, patience is the most important characteristic a doctor can have. I personally try to maintain focus on caring for people as they are and where they are. I find this helps me to focus more on the big picture of patient care. Feeling like I have an impact is important, and it is easier to do when I’m engaged with the person before me. It’s also important for doctors to put their integrity first, and do their best. I focus on my own journey and embrace a mindset of growth and fulfillment.
We are enjoying living in Jefferson City, with its great balance of small town closeness with bigger city variety (quite a few restaurants/entertainment opportunities combined with short commute times). It seems like a community where people care and are willing to make things better. I also like the ample access to all the outdoors activities on the Katy Trail, Missouri River, and Cedar Creek Park in Hartsburg.
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140 Northstar Dr., Holts Summit, MO
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