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FORT SCOTT, Kan. – In the past 30 days, Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc. has achieved several significant milestones, bringing the six-bed emergency department and 10-bed acute care hospital closer to fruition.

The multi-million-dollar project is still on track to open at the end of 2025, Freeman officials said.

Independent surveys underway

On Monday, August 18, Freeman officials learned that Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc. – located inside the city’s former hospital site at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. – successfully passed the critical life safety physical plant survey, which was conducted on July 23. The survey is a comprehensive assessment of the medical facility to ensure it meets standards and regulations related to fire and life safety. 

This was the first of three surveys the hospital must complete, said Anita Walden, Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc.’s chief administrative officer.

“The passing of that first survey now triggers the second required survey, which is the state licensure survey,” she said.

A state licensure survey is a formal evaluation conducted to ensure a health care facility complies with state laws and regulations regarding the provision of care, patient safety, and overall operations.

Officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) have received notification that the hospital has passed the life safety survey and are now ready for the licensure survey, which will be conducted by their office.

“We are currently awaiting notification from KDHE of when they will be onsite to perform the survey,” Walden said. “Our hope is this survey will take place in the next few weeks.”

Following a successful state licensure survey, the Freeman facility must then pass a credentialing survey conducted by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officials. The public will be notified when the hospital is ready to open for business.

“We’ve been hearing from multiple community leaders, businesses, and residents about their eagerness to see us open, and I can promise you we are working diligently to make that happen,” Walden said. “We just appreciate the community’s support and their patience as we near opening day.” 

Medical Director named

Dr. Mark Brown, a Freeman doctor and Kansas native, was recently named medical director over Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc.’s emergency department.

“This is a rare opportunity to be able to open a new emergency department and to expand Freeman’s footprint in Southeast Kansas,” Dr. Brown said. “This gives us the ability to provide emergency care to the residents of Fort Scott and the surrounding region that has been without acute care for some time.”

Fort Scott has been without a hospital since 2018, and a dedicated emergency room since late 2023.

“I myself grew up in rural Kansas and know how important access to quality health care and especially emergency services can be,” he said. “I spent over 20 years of my career in medicine, working as a paramedic in rural Kansas. I have seen firsthand how rural hospitals and rural emergency departments can make a positive impact on patient outcomes.”

Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc.’s emergency department will provide year-round, 24/7 coverage to Fort Scott and the surrounding Bourbon County communities.

Aside from his physician medical director duties, Dr. Brown will also serve as medical staff president.

“I will be performing administrative duties as well as performing direct patient care while working shifts in the emergency department,” he said.

His licensed physicians and trained nursing staff will be well prepared to provide elite emergency care.

“Dr. Brown is a clinical expert who has been providing emergency care as a physician for 20-plus years. Before becoming a physician, he served the Kansas community as a flight paramedic, often transporting critical patients,” said Renee Denton, Freeman’s Chief Executive Officer of Rural Hospitals. “We are very fortunate that Dr. Brown has returned to the Kansas community to ensure that our patients receive expert, quality care.”

“Freeman Health System is excited to be in Fort Scott,” Dr. Brown added. “We want to be a part of this community and provided the community with the best health care possible.”