Heart of a Community: The Story of Freeman Health System
An Ozarks Public Television Production
Timeline of Freeman History
Founded on trust
1922
John W. Freeman donated his family home, located at 2008 Sergeant in Joplin, as the site for the first Freeman Hospital in honor of their late son Orley.
1925
After a 75-bed addition was added to the original home, Freeman Hospital opened its doors to patients. It had a staff of 19 nurses and five physicians and surgeons.
Strengthened through Innovation
1958
A state-of the art addition opened south of the hospital, complete a with six-room operating suite, air conditioned labor and delivery rooms, and 18-bed nursing home on the fifth floor.
1975
Freeman Hospital moved to the outskirts of Joplin on a tract of land donated by Joplin businessman Myron McIntosh. The location at 1102 West 32nd Street (now Freeman West), provided room for much-needed growth and future expansion as well.
1993
Freeman acquired Sale Memorial Hospital (now known as Freeman Neosho Hospital), extending its service to the residents of Newton and McDonald counties in southwest Missouri.
1995
Freeman merged with Oak Hill (now Freeman East) to become Freeman Health System.
1996
Ozark Center, the area's largest behavioral health provider, joined Freeman Health System, increasing patient access to mental healthcare.
1997
Through a partnership with KSNF-TV 16, Freeman First Alert Doppler radar saves lives by providing early and accurate warnings of potentially dangerous storms.
1998
Ronald McDonald celebrated the grand opening of Ronald McDonald House of the Four States on land donated by Freeman Health System.
1999
Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute opened, bringing a unique concept in heart care to the region. It houses all facets cardiovascular care in one location, making care more convenient and accessible to patients.
2000
Freeman became the first healthcare system in Missouri and the sixth in the nation to earn ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9002 registration in December 2000.
2001
The Joplin Family Y South and Freeman Wellness Center open on property donated by Freeman Health System.
2001
Freeman Cancer Institute opens, providing the region with comprehensive cancer care including diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle management. It features some of the most advanced cancer-fighting tools and therapies available.
2003
Freeman achieved ISO 9001:2000 registration, the most widely recognized mark of quality in the business world today.
Built around your needs
2007
Freeman opened the largest expansion project in its history, a six-story wing that added 56 private patient rooms and tripled the size of the emergency/trauma center.
Ozark Center for Autism, developed in consultation with the Cleveland Clinic Autism Consulting Group, opens an applied behavior analysis program for preschool children with autism.
2008
Freeman Women's Center opens, offering comprehensive women's services under one roof. The center includes a high-risk pregnancy physician, a plastic surgeon, gynecologists, and obstetrician offices; Wes & Jan Houser Women's Pavilion; and Pink Door Boutique.
2009
Freeman Center for Geriatric Medicine opens with two geriatricians, physicians who care for older patients by helping them address mobility and medication issues and connecting them with medical specialists, social services, and community resources when needed.
Freeman breaks ground on Freeman Surgery Center, scheduled to open in summer 2010.
Freeman West becomes the only hospital in 60-mile radius to offer the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program, designed to provide specialized help for victims of sexual assault.
Freeman earns ISO 9001:2008 registration.