Per the Kansas Dept. Of Health & Environment: “As of March 21, 2025, Kansas is reporting 10 measles cases in Grant, Morton, and Stevens counties, with no hospitalizations or deaths reported. The CDC is also reporting increases in measles with 378 cases nationwide across 15 jurisdictions. Due to measles’ highly contagious nature, additional cases are expected, especially among unvaccinated individuals in Kansas and nearby areas. The KDHE advises healthcare providers to promptly report suspected cases and to submit specimens to the Kansas Health and Environment Laboratory for testing. KDHE is providing new vaccine recommendations for those in outbreak-affected areas.”
If you live in or near the counties listed and have questions about your measles immunity, please contact your local health department.
There are no known cases of measles in Allen, Anderson, Bourbon or Woodson Counties at this time.
Submitted from Becky Johnson, Administrator/Southeast Kansas Local Health Officer
Hospitals that participate in the Medicare program must be in compliance with the Conditions of Participation by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). NRMC was recently surveyed by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) and has successfully met the requirements for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating compliance with CIHQ Standards. They have been NRMC’s deeming authority for 12 years.
NRMC was subjected to a rigorous unannounced onsite assessment February 4-6, 2025. The CIHQ team toured the hospital, reviewed medical records, observed care practices, and interviewed staff and patients. The hospital is surveyed every three years & NRMC team members spent months preparing for their arrival.
“CIHQ’ goal is to partner with hospitals to improve the care provided in our communities,” states Richard Curtis, Chief Executive Officer of CIHQ. “CIHQ is proud to recognize Nevada Regional Medical Center for achieving accreditation.” When asked what this means for patients at Nevada Regional Medical Center, Chief Operating Officer Holly Bush noted “the goal of the survey process for hospitals is to continue to improve the care provided in our community. This recognition reflects NRMC’s commitment to safety and quality patient care.”
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About Nevada Regional Medical Center NRMC is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital providing comprehensive health care services. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties including ear, nose & throat, family practice, general surgery, gynecology, internal medicine, orthopedics, pain management, pediatrics, psychiatry and wound care services. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in cardiology, dermatology, neurology, podiatry, pulmonology and urology.
NRMC is centrally located between Kansas City and Joplin along the I-49 corridor.
Freeman Health System Breaks Ground for New Southeast Kansas Hospital
Frontenac, KAN. – With ceremonial shovel scoops of dirt, what was once a wind-swept Southeast Kansas soybean field will quickly transform into Freeman Health System’s newest full-service hospital.
Wearing her iconic pink hard hat while gripping a gold-colored shovel, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker led selected dignitaries – including Frontenac Mayor Steve Morrison and Frontenac City Manager John Zafuta – through the much-anticipated groundbreaking ceremony for the 50-bed, 170,000-square-foot Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital.
“Today we mark a historical first for Freeman Health System and the entire region,” Baker said. “We’re honored and grateful for this opportunity to improve healthcare in Southeast Kansas and beyond.”
The $168 million hospital, located on Highway 69, is set to serve a significant healthcare need.
“The region,” Baker said, “deserves the best, and that’s why we’re building here.”
Freeman Health System hired HMN Architects of Overland Park, Kansas, to design the hospital.
The construction project will be completed in three phases, over a 24- to 34-month time period, Baker said during her speech. Phases include:
Site development, utilities, and roadways;
Construction of a two-story Ambulatory Surgery Center, with the top floor dedicated to medical and physician offices; and
Construction of Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital itself.
The new Freeman hospital will provide much-needed emergency care; cardiac care, including a catheterization laboratory; an ICU; maternity care; pediatrics; outpatient and inpatient surgery – including robotic procedures; medical and radiation oncology; pulmonary care; radiology; and other key services.
Freeman engineers, Baker said, are working with City of Frontenac engineers to design and upgrade sewer and water infrastructure to serve the hospital and the future of the community.
“Frontenac officials began planning for water and sewer upgrades several years before we selected this site,” she said during her speech. “The timing couldn’t be better, because they are nearly ready to start construction of a new water tower, with new pumps and piping.”
Freeman Health System is also coordinating with Kansas Department of Transportation and recently conducted a comprehensive traffic study projecting the impact of increased traffic at the hospital site, Baker said.
Once completed, the new hospital is expected to create 500 to 1,000 jobs for the area. The health system, the largest employer in the region, already serves Southeast Kansas with primary and specialty care clinics, an outpatient surgery center, and a comprehensive medical oncology program. Just down the road, Freeman will open this year a 24/7 emergency department and 10-bed acute care hospital in Fort Scott, Kansas.
“This is truly a dream come true for Freeman Health System, and for me personally, because I grew up in Pittsburg and will always hold the area close to my heart,” Baker said.
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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 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital
What: Groundbreaking for Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital
When: 10:00 am Friday, March 7, 2025
Where: Take US Route 69 north through Pittsburg and Frontenac. Turn right off US Route 69 at East 600th Ave. – look for Freeman arrow signs for the turn (and large Chicken Annie’s restaurant sign). On East 600th Ave. heading east, the groundbreaking parking area is located to the left on 50-acre hospital site.
Background: Freeman Health System will break ground for the long-awaited Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital Friday morning.
Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker, accompanied by a distinguished list of Frontenac, Pittsburg and Cherokee County dignitaries, will don hard hats and grab shovels to officially launch the state-of-the-art building’s construction.
The $168 million, 50-bed hospital will offer a full array of comprehensive care, including an emergency department, cardiac services and catheterization lab, an intensive care unit, maternity, pediatrics, outpatient/inpatient surgery – including robotic procedures – as well as medical and radiation oncology, among other key services. Overall, the hospital will create at least 500 to 1,000 new jobs in Pittsburg.
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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 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
A measles outbreak in Texas is raising concerns as cases continue to rise, spreading beyond state lines. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has reported 124 confirmed cases as of February 25, 2025, with 18 hospitalizations. Of those infected, five were vaccinated, while the rest were either unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown. The outbreak has now reached New Mexico, and additional cases are expected in surrounding areas.
This outbreak marks a serious public health concern, especially with the first measles-related death in at least a decade reported in Texas. The child who passed away was unvaccinated, emphasizing the importance of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination in preventing severe illness and complications.
What is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can live in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, infecting 90% of unvaccinated people who come into contact with it.
Symptoms typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a distinctive red rash that spreads across the body. Measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and even death, particularly in young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
Why is Measles Making a Comeback?
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 due to widespread vaccination. However, in recent years, vaccination rates have declined, leaving communities vulnerable to outbreaks.
In 2024, the U.S. reported 16 measles outbreaks, compared to only four in 2023. Global measles cases have also been increasing, making it more likely that unvaccinated travelers bring the virus back into the U.S..
The Best Protection: MMR Vaccine
The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends:
First dose at 1 year old
Second dose between 4-6 years old
The vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles with two doses. However, infants under 1 year old cannot yet receive the vaccine, making them especially vulnerable.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Community
Check your vaccination status – Make sure you and your children are up to date on MMR vaccinations.
Know the symptoms – Early detection and isolation of measles cases can help prevent further spread.
Stay informed – Follow trusted sources like the CDC and state health departments for updates.
Measles outbreaks are preventable with high vaccination coverage. If you are unsure about your vaccination status or need to schedule an MMR vaccine, contact your healthcare provider or local health department.
In preparation for the much-anticipated opening of Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc., a job fair is being held.
Tuesday, February 11th
11am-6pm
located at the future hospital’s location, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
This is an opportunity for Freeman to recruit and for individuals to explore the available job opportunities.
There are currently 60-plus openings for the new Freeman hospital. These positions include:
RN – Acute Care
RN – Emergency Department
Social Worker
Respiratory Therapist
Nurse Tech – Acute Care
Nurse Tech – Emergency Department
Network Engineer
Desktop Support Specialist
Administrative Assistant
Courier
Supply Chain Technician
Admissions Representative Specialist
Monitor Tech
Medical Technologist
Medical Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Medical Assistant
X-Ray/C-T Technologist
Vascular Sonographer
Pharmacist in Charge
Pharmacy Tech
**Hiring managers will be available during the job fair and will have additional information about various openings.
Freeman Health System, the region’s largest provider of healthcare services, is in the process of seeking licensure to open and operate a 10-bed hospital and 24-hour emergency department with licensed physicians and trained nursing staff. Support for the emergency department includes laboratory, radiology, computerized tomography and an inpatient pharmacy. Opportunities to have outpatient lab, radiology and CT services will also be available to the community from the hospital.
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 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius.
Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) announces it will host a free cholesterol screening sponsored by NRMC Foundation on Friday, February 21 from 6:30 to 9:30 A.M. Registration is open to the public, but appointments are limited.
The Foundation sponsors this annual screening each February in recognition of American Hearth Month. “This simple blood draw can give participants a quick view of their total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels” notes Foundation Director, Jennifer Eaton. “These results can then be shared with their primary care provider to determine the next steps to take in their heath journey.”
According to the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women. However, there are steps you can take to keep your heart healthy and reduce the risk of heart disease:
Get enough quality sleep
Eat a balanced diet
Stop smoking
Maintain a healthy weight
Get active
Manage/monitor your blood sugar & blood pressure
Manage stress
Control cholesterol levels
Daily acts of self-care can also benefit you heart health. Make that doctor’s appointment you may have been putting off, do at least one positive action for heart health each day, find an exercise buddy or join a class/group to help stay motivated and encourage your family to participate as well to help you meet your health goals.
To register for the free cholesterol screening, call (417) 448-3801.
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About Nevada Regional Medical Center NRMC is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital providing comprehensive health care services. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties including ear, nose & throat, family practice, general surgery, gynecology, internal medicine, orthopedics, pain management, pediatrics, psychiatry and wound care services. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in cardiology, dermatology, neurology, podiatry, pulmonology and urology.
NRMC is centrally located between Kansas City and Joplin along the I-49 corridor.
FORT SCOTT, Kan. – In preparation for the much-anticipated opening of Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc., a job fair will be held in early February.
Scheduled from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, the fair will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the future hospital’s location, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
It’s an opportunity for Freeman to recruit and for individuals to explore what job opportunities are available. There are currently 60-plus openings for the new Freeman hospital. These positions include:
RN – Acute Care
RN – Emergency Department
Social Worker
Respiratory Therapist
Nurse Tech – Acute Care
Nurse Tech – Emergency Department
Network Engineer
Desktop Support Specialist
Administrative Assistant
Courier
Supply Chain Technician
Admissions Representative Specialist
Monitor Tech
Medical Technologist
Medical Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Medical Assistant
X-Ray/C-T Technologist
Vascular Sonographer
Pharmacist in Charge
Pharmacy Tech
Hiring managers will be available during the job fair and will have additional information about various openings.
Freeman Health System, the region’s largest provider of healthcare services, is in the process of seeking licensure to open and operate a 10-bed hospital and 24-hour emergency department with licensed physicians and trained nursing staff. Support for the emergency department includes laboratory, radiology, computerized tomography and an inpatient pharmacy. Opportunities to have outpatient lab, radiology and CT services will also be available to the community from the hospital.
Mercy Hosptial Building is now owned by Kansas Renewal Institute. Freeman Fort Scott Hospital will soon be housed in the facility.
The emergency room operations has been assumed by Freeman Health Systems.
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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 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
Residents in a portion of Bourbon County have been issued a boil water advisory by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
The boil order is for people in northwest Bourbon County, from west of 95th Road to the Allen County line and north of Highway 54 to the Linn County line, according to Jack Ripper, the Water Operator for Rural Water District #4.
“The tower pressure got too low at Soldier Street and 60th,” Ripper said.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issued a boil water advisory for the Bourbon County Rural District #4 public water supply system located in Bourbon County on January 20, according to a press release.
Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:
• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.
• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
The advisory took effect on January 20 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure due to an equipment malfunction at the water treatment plant. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.
Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 620-224-8095, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service
Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767.
Dr. Ethan Couch, 23, is a new associate doctor with Dr. Kaylee Clifton. He began duties on January 14.
Couch graduated from Nevada High School in 2019, received his associate’s degree from Crowder College, Nevada, and then went to Cleaveland University in Kansas City, earning a bachelor’s degree in human biology. He then enrolled in the school’s Doctor of Chiropractic program in 2020 and graduated in December 2024.
“I did a year of training with the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in K.C. with the clerkship program,” he said. “I got to meet with doctors- neurosurgeons, pharmacists, occupational therapists and orthosurgeons- and ask questions to have a better understanding of multi-disciplinary treatment options.”
“I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, but wanted to provide conservative treatment for musculoskeletal conditions,” he said.
“Conservative treatment is non-invasive therapeutic exercise or adjustments, anything that doesn’t stretch into injections, surgery or medications.”
So far, the best part of the job is “Getting to know the patients and providing quality care that helps with day-to-day life.”
Couch and his wife live in Nevada, MO are expecting their first child, a son, on April 1.
Dr. Kaylee Clifton is returning in February, following maternity leave.
On February 1, Couch’s hours will be from Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday from one Saturday a month from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Clifton Chiropractic office is located at 203 E. Third, Fort Scott and can be reached at 620.644.5000.
Tara Soloman-Smith, Family and Wellness Agent, Sunflower District of Kansas State University’s Extension Office. Submitted photo.
The nation recently honored the life of former President Jimmy Carter. In February 2023, his choice to begin hospice care spotlighted this model of compassionate, high-quality support. He continued to receive this care for nearly two years.
Hospice focuses on comfort, not curing. It is a customized model of care that helps people with life limiting illnesses live with dignity. Hospice focuses on maintaining quality of life for the person, rather than aggressively treating the disease or illness.
Common myths of hospice care include the following:
MYTH:Hospice is only for the last weeks or days of one’s life.
Hospice can begin when a physician determines a person has approximately six months or less to live if the disease were to run its normal course. Pain management and comfort care give a person an improved quality of life and more comfortable days.
MYTH:Hospice means you have given up.
Receiving hospice care does not mean that you have given up hope. The focus of care is to provide a person with a better quality of life, be more comfortable, and feel more like themselves. Sometimes, people will go on and off hospice if their health improves, if they no longer qualify for services, or if they choose to pursue treatments.
MYTH:Hospice care hastens death.
People sometimes associate medication used for pain control, such as morphine, with a person’s death. Remember, the person on hospice is already entering the last stages of their life. In many instances, controlling pain and discomfort allows the person to live longer.
MYTH:Hospice care is just for the dying patient.
Hospice also provides caregiving assistance and grief counseling for family members and caregivers. Most providers offer these bereavement services up to 13 months after the patient’s death.
Hospice provides individuals the freedom to choose how they want to spend their remaining days. Engaging in family conversations about end-of-life decisions helps us recognize the value of hospice care, reflect on our own wishes, and communicate what matters most to us.
Information for today’s article came from K-State Research and Extension’s Fact Sheet: Understanding Hospice. For more information contact Tara Solomon-Smith, tsolomon@ksu.edu, or call 620-244-3826.
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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
In June 2024, Freeman Health Systems CEO Paula Baker announced that Freeman will build a 10-bed hospital and emergency department in the former Mercy Hospital Fort Scott building. They are “optimistic” for a spring 2025 opening.
Quickly Taking Shape
Freeman Fort Scott Hospital Plans Under Review by State Officials
FORT SCOTT, Kan. – There’s been plenty of positive movement and momentum surrounding Freeman Fort Scott Hospital since it was first proposed to 100-plus cheering residents last June.
Freeman Health System, the region’s largest provider of healthcare services, is in the process of seeking licensure to open and operate an acute care hospital. Upon obtaining licensure, the proposed 10-bed general medical unit and 24-hour emergency department will operate within the city’s former hospital site located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. Freeman will lease the space from Kansas Renewal Institute, which recently purchased the former hospital building.
According to Freeman Neosho Hospital Chief Operation Officer Renee Denton, the all-important planning for required renovations and the design phase has been completed. The requested renderings have been submitted to state officials, and once approved, renovations will begin. Denton offered one example of minor renovations that would be required – the need for some of the bathrooms to undergo minor renovation to assure they meet current Americans with Disabilities Act compliance standards.
“We submitted those plans to the state and are waiting for their authorization,” Denton said. “Once plans are approved, we will immediately send the plans out for bid to have the required renovations completed.”
There’s plenty of “quiet” work currently underway at the former hospital building, she continued: Evaluating infrastructure capabilities that will be needed to support the overall computer system, operability and building the electronic medical record; evaluating and sorting through discarded equipment to determine what is operable; and identifying all new laboratory, radiology and pharmacy equipment needed to support the new hospital and emergency department.
“Representatives at Kansas Department of Health and Environment have been very helpful to work closely with us,” Denton said. “They have been very willing to help in whatever way they can. They, too, are supportive of the effort we’re trying to bring to fruition in Fort Scott.”
A community of roughly 7,600 residents and the county seat of Bourbon County, Fort Scott has been without a hospital since 2018. The hospital’s emergency department stayed open until it, too, closed in December 2023, forcing residents to seek medical treatment 30 minutes away in Pittsburg or across the state line in Nevada, Missouri.
The emergency department will consist of six bays, with 365-day, 24/7 coverage, by licensed physicians and trained nursing staff who will be well prepared to provide emergency care. Support for the emergency department includes laboratory, radiology, computerized tomography and an inpatient pharmacy. Opportunities to have outpatient lab, radiology and CT services will also be available to the community from the hospital.
The specific opening date for Freeman Fort Scott Hospital in 2025 will crystallize as state officials review Freeman’s submitted plans and required renovations are completed. Freeman Fort Scott Hospital will be prepared to undergo the state facility survey followed by the hospital licensure survey.
“We are optimistic that we can be open in the Spring of 2025, and what we continue to work toward right now,” Denton said. “There is no community that should be without emergency services, and we are committed to work as quickly as possible to bring these life-saving services to the Fort Scott community.
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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 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. A
First dose at 1 year old
