DOCTORS OF MONETT

The Boys Are Back in Town

Monett. Home. It’s where many of us grew up, attended school, and made friends. And it’s a home many of us left to pursue higher education or exciting new careers.

For two local Monett High grads, it’s the home they wanted to return to. It’s the home they wanted to serve. It’s the home they are now caring for.

Beau Bounous and Jason Obermann graduated from Monett High School in 2010 and in 2022, they returned as Dr. Beau Bounous and Dr. Jason Obermann.

This dynamic duo, though not practicing medicine together, are no strangers to a different kind of practice.

“The first time I met Beau was in football,” Jason said. “Sixth Grade. Mighty Mites.”

The two would go on to make the All State First Team as linemen in their junior year in 2008 and again in their senior year.

“We would take on opponents on the field, and now we’re coming back to take on pathology,” Obermann said. “I was right guard and he was right tackle, and we were pretty good friends in high school, we would go out to explore the local creeks together. But we went our separate ways for undergrad. Beau went on to play college ball. I didn’t.”

But the old friend’s paths were sure to cross again, as they both return to Monett to serve as community doctors, Jason as a psychiatrist at the Clark Center and Beau as a family medicine doctor at Cox Monett Hospital.

“I thought I was going to stay in town and be a farmer up until my senior year,” Obermann said.

Bounous said he was in the same boat. “I thought I was going to be a farmer too,” he said. “I always wanted to do something in science and to help people, so that’s what I did.”

Bounous said back in high school, he and Obermann didn’t know they would both one day head off to medical school, so it was a big surprise when they reconnected at medical school.

After graduation, Obermann headed off to Missouri State University and Bounous was off to Missouri Southern, where he continued his football career.

When it came time for medical school, Obermann found himself at the Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Technology. A year later, Bounous joined him at the campus.

“Beau actually stayed with me in Kirksville when he went to interview there,” Obermann said.

Dr. Beau Bounous Dr. Jason Obermann

Dr. Jason Obermann, 2022

With Obermann already one year in at Kirksville, the duo only shared a campus for a year before Obermann headed off to complete his residency.

“We were pretty close for that year we were in med school,” Bounous said.

Little did they know they were also both hoping to eventually make their way back home and serve the community that helped raise them.

“Monett was always my hope,” Obermann said. “My parents and my wife’s family live here. It was always my hope to come back, but not all small towns have openings for psychiatrists.”

“Coming out of my residency, I thought about going to several different places,” Bounous said. “But in the end, I really wanted to come home. I hope to start a family, and I want to live in a place that has those small-town morals and values. And I want to give back to my community.

It’s been a long road for both doctors, and both are thrilled to be home. While the busy schedule of a physician makes it difficult to carve out personal time, Bounous said he expects he’ll be adding a professional relationship with Obermann to their longstanding friendship.

“Family medicine goes along with psychiatrists,” Bounous said. “I’m sure we are going to be relying on him in the future.”

Bounous said the last time he saw Obermann in person was approximately two years ago, when Obermann got married in Verona.

But with both doctors working in Monett, he said he is hoping they will be able to get together soon to catch up, outside of the office.

“Monett High School did an awesome job for us,” Obermann said. “They set me up for success, and I am so excited to be back.”

“I am so thankful,” Bounous added. “Jason is one of my good friends, and now we’re both here, serving the community.” n In his senior year at Monett High School, Obermann was voted one of the kindest students on campus.

In his senior year at Monett High School, Bounous was voted most likely to become president. As linemen on the Monett Cubs football team, Obermann and Bounous worked together to take people down. Today, as local physicians, they are working to keep people safe, happy and healthy.