4 Southern Idaho Doctors Share Why They Live Here
While these physicians deeply care for their patients, they also enjoy what the Magic Valley offers beyond the office.
The Magic Valley, known for its panoramic natural beauty and friendly people, is also home to well-trained physicians who are passionate about helping people here live their best lives possible. Away from their office, you might find these Southern Idaho doctors out horseback riding, hiking or working livestock. They all keep busy schedules, but they took some time to share why they deeply care for their patients and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else than Southern Idaho.
In This Article
Dr. Joshua Musson
Podiatry and Wound Care, Cassia Regional Hospital, Burley, Idaho
Dr. Joshua Musson
Musson, a doctor of podiatry medicine, traveled across the U.S. to various places while completing rotations during his medical training.
“You won’t find a nicer patient population than in Southern Idaho,” he says. “There is a great sense of community here.”
An admitted people lover, he is a native of Brantford in Ontario, Canada, who graduated from the School of Podiatric Medicine at Barry University in Florida. Today, Musson is married with three young children and is an active member of his church.
Working at Cassia Regional Hospital in the orthopedic department, he often treats high school athletes but cares for all ages and is involved with a newly opened wound care clinic.
“We have recently started a wound care clinic at the hospital that allows patients from Burley and the surrounding area to get the quality care they need without traveling to larger cities,” Musson says.
Musson’s Health Tip
Living an active lifestyle is one of the most important components of maintaining healthy living.
Dr. Lauren R. Clelland
Family Medicine, St. Luke’s Clinic Physician Center, Buhl, Idaho
Dr. Lauren R. Clelland
Recently starting her career as a family medicine physician in the Magic Valley was “a no-brainer,” says Clelland, who grew up near Rupert and recently started seeing patients at St. Luke’s Clinic in Buhl. “I love this area. I love rural family medicine and I love how people still wave when they drive down the road,” she says.
Newly married, she graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine and completed her residency training with St. Luke’s through the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho program in the Magic Valley.
Clelland rarely sits still. She raises cattle and horses, owns three border collies and participates in skijoring, a competitive winter sport in which a skier is pulled by a horse over a set course.
“It is an honor to serve my friends and neighbors,” she says. Only in this region does modern health care coincide with Western traditions, small-town charm and rural recreation.
Clelland’s Health Tip
It is not about what you occasionally do, but the small, sustainable changes incorporated into our daily routines, leading to better health.
Dr. Guy E. Grooms
Orthopedic Specialist and Surgeon, North Canyon Medical Center, Gooding, Idaho
Dr. Guy E. Grooms
One thing that never gets old for Grooms is meeting people at North Canyon Medical Center, hearing their stories and helping them heal.
“My commitment to my patients is that I will make sure I do everything in my power to provide them with the very best orthopedic surgical and nonsurgical care,” says Grooms, an orthopedic specialist double board-certified in sports medicine and general orthopedic surgery. “I really think it’s a privilege to work among the wonderful people in Southern Idaho.”
A military veteran, Grooms completed his medical school training at Chicago Medical School and residency training at the University of Massachusetts. He embraces being outdoors and spending time with his large family of seven children and 13 grandchildren. That’s easy to do in Gooding, where family-friendly outdoor destinations include the Little City of Rocks and the Gooding County Snow Park.
Grooms’ Health Tip
Eat light, go to sleep early, get outside as much as possible, take care of your relationships and stay away from anything addictive.
Dr. Nichole Shumway
Internal Medicine, Minidoka Medical Center, Rupert, Idaho
Dr. Nichole Shumway
Shumway, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, is a newly hired internist at Minidoka Medical Center RHC in Rupert. She says “my patients have been incredibly kind and my colleagues are very supportive.”
The Boise native, who earned her medical degree from Des Moines University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, shares her life with a growing family of four dogs and two horses. She plays the ukulele and enjoys singing.
During the pandemic, Shumway saw firsthand as a medical resident how fragile life can be and was determined to practice in a peaceful, fulfilling environment. Accompanied by a passion to help patients live their best life possible, moving to Rupert filled the bill.
“I am exploring the area and might coach a sports team, be a part of a ski patrol or join the Minidoka Wranglers, a horse drill team,” Shumway says. “Everything seems so feasible here.”
Shumway’s Health Tip
Eat only things you can pronounce, move your body regularly, go outside often, foster relationships and find a good primary care doctor.
