Newest STMC doctor also an ace marksman, photographer

Photo contributed by Tricia Potts Dr. Keith Moore is the newest surgeon on the staff at South Texas Medical Clinic in Wharton. A Missouri native, he is also an avid outdoorsman and is anxious to experience all that Texas has to offer.

Even though he was born and raised in Missouri, coming to Texas was something Dr. Keith Moore has wanted to do for some time.

The newest surgeon on the staff at South Texas Medical Clinic in Wharton, he is an avid outdoorsman and is anxious to experience all that Texas has to offer.

"South Texas Medical Clinic is a wonderful facility with a lot to offer," Moore said, "and it presented a good opportunity for me and my family.

"We're excited about being here and being part of the community."

Moore will practice general surgery at STMC but said his areas of interest lie in minimum invasive surgery techniques and vascular abscess.

"Anytime you can perform a procedure and have a two-inch incision instead of a six-inch incision, that's good for the patient," he said.

Since there is a large population of people in this area with gout and coronary artery diseases, there is a growing need for vascular abscess procedures, he said.

Moore said he believes being an active and visible part of the community is important both professionally and personally.

"The hospital is such a big part of the community here and I feel that people trust the hospital and its staff more if they see you active and supportive in the community," he said.

A graduate of the University of Missouri medical school, Moore completed his residency at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. in general surgery in 1997. His time spent in New York exposed him to many different cultures, something he relates to at South Texas Medical Clinic.

"We have a very diversified staff at the Clinic," he said. "We have people from Bosnia, the Philippines, from all over. I like that because you can get to know these people on their terms and find out about their culture."

During our interview, Moore was relaxed and very easy to talk to, both good attributes when searching for a surgeon. He said he likes to take the time to get to know the whole person, and not just the part he's operating on.

While in New York, Moore admits he was a "city slicker to the bone."

But he's discovered there is a season for everything and he's glad to be in Texas and looks forward to being a real Texan.

"I'd like to have some land someday with a few cows, and I'm going to have a Missouri mule on my place," he said. The Missouri mule is a breed of mule and is Missouri's state animal.

That will be his way of bringing a little of his hometown to Texas. Moore lists photography and weight training as hobbies, but his real passion is long range marksmanship.

"Some people chase around little white balls, I shoot holes in paper," he said.

Texas offers numerous opportunities for shooting and target practice, an added benefit of relocating.

Moore's goal is to participate on the U.S. Palma team, an international version of longrange shooting.

If he qualifies, he'll be able to compete internationally.

Although he's never done much game hunting, he thinks the weather in Texas might be more appealing for hunting.

He is looking forward to being a part of the community. He's been active with Rotary Clubs and the Elks in other cities he's lived in and is hoping to join those groups in Wharton.

Moore, his wife Leesa and their two children have only been in the Wharton area a few short months, but already they've been able to enjoy some of the nearby attractions.

And his daughter has her list of things to see and do mapped out, he said, including the beach and a water park.

"I'm happy to be in Wharton and I'm looking forward to getting to know the people here and serve them in the best capacity I can," he said.

"I want to be an asset to the community, not just in healthcare but in a civic way.

"I want to be a good neighbor, a good Christian neighbor."