(Joplin, MO) – From its humble beginnings when John W. Freeman’s family home was converted into a community hospital and opened for business in 1925, Freeman Health System has emerged as the largest employer in the Joplin region. Today, Freeman remains dedicated to improving the health of area residents by implementing innovative, quality healthcare solutions.
Under the banner “A Century of Service, A Legacy of Caring,” the health system will celebrate a “major milestone” — 100 years of providing the highest-quality healthcare possible for the communities it serves.
“Over the past 100 years, the communities we serve have witnessed a world war, the Great Depression, the advent of radio and television, space travel, the tech boom and almost every obstacle imaginable along the way,” said Paula Baker, Freeman’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “As a health system, we’ve accomplished a long list of lofty goals, such as opening the original Freeman Hospital at 20th and Sergeant, the new Freeman Hospital right here on 32nd Street, the six-story West Tower expansion, Wes & Jan Houser Women’s Pavilion, Freeman Rehabilitation & Sports Center, and more.”
Additional accomplishments Baker highlighted in an email sent to Freeman’s 5,300 employees include Freeman merging with Joplin’s Oak Hill Hospital to establish Freeman East Hospital and purchasing Sale Memorial Hospital in Neosho to create Freeman Neosho Hospital. Behavioral healthcare was made available to individuals and families regionwide when Freeman joined forces with Ozark Center in 1996. Most recently, Freeman announced the construction of a brand new, full-service hospital — Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital — in Frontenac, Kansas, as well as a new emergency care center in neighboring Fort Scott, Kansas.
On top of that, a successful school telemedicine program now thrives at 52 locations across eight area school districts, while Kansas City University calls Freeman its “second home” thanks to the residency programs the system offers to help prepare tomorrow’s doctors for careers in medicine and dentistry.
“Over the years, Freeman has grown to become the area’s largest employer and one of the community’s best corporate partners,” Baker said. “Today, Freeman leads the region with expert care, compassion and the latest medical advances.”
Currently, Freeman offers 80 specialties spread among 30 locations across three states.
“As much as we’ve progressed over the past 100 years, our focus is not about getting bigger or more powerful – it’s about providing convenient healthcare services so people don’t have to drive great distances for the care they want and deserve,” Baker concluded.
Public and internal events and celebrations are planned throughout 2025 in celebration of Freeman Health System’s 100th birthday.
About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center — the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services — as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2020, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System the Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri for 2020. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 80 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
Reference:
Kevin McClintock, Media Relations Coordinator
Freeman Health System
417.434.3458
KSMcclintock@freemanhealth.com
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