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Patients in Southeast Missouri now have expanded access to surgical care with the addition of a local surgeon and nurse practitioner.
Dr. Richard Wirz and nurse practitioner Sarah Couch join a talented surgical team at both Mercy Clinic General Surgery – Stoddard, 1200 N. One Mile Road, Dexter, and Mercy Clinic General Surgery – Poplar Bluff, 2002 Kanell Boulevard, Suite 203, Poplar Bluff, to provide a full range of personalized care before and after procedures. The clinics offer a wide range of surgical services including biopsies, gallbladder and hernia procedures, skin surgeries and more.
Born and raised in central Missouri, Dr. Wirz attended college and medical school at A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri. He is a board-certified general surgeon trained in advanced laparoscopy, advanced robotic surgery and endoscopy. Dr. Wirz is also specialty trained in the treatment of colon, breast and skin cancers.
“I felt called here by God,” Dr. Wirz said. “I started my practice in Dexter more than 20 years ago, and when I walked through the doors of Mercy Stoddard, I saw so many familiar faces and so many people told me, ‘Welcome home.’ The choice was clear with Mercy’s commitment to the community along with their cutting-edge technology and the expansion and advancement of services.”
Dr. Wirz is a proud father of six children and grandfather of four grandchildren, with another on the way. He enjoys water sports and being out on the lake with his family and friends. In his free time, Dr. Wirz is the founder and medical director of Footsteps Medical Missions, which organizes medical mission trips domestically and internationally.
Originally from a small farm in Warm Springs, Arkansas, Couch comes to Mercy with a background in emergency medicine, general surgery and outpatient care. She is a graduate of Frontier Nursing University in Versailles, Kentucky.
“Mercy’s strong reputation for quality care and its mission-driven approach really stood out to me,” Couch said. “This position felt like a natural fit for my background, and I’m excited to join a team that truly prioritizes patient-centered care while continuing to grow personally and professionally within an organization known for its compassion and excellence.”
Couch has been married for nearly 20 years and has four children. She enjoys staying active, focusing on her health and wellness, and recently rediscovered her love for painting and other creative outlets.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Wirz or Couch, call 573-519-4540.
