Freeman Residency Graduates Ready to Begin Careers

Joplin, Mo. – For more than four decades, Freeman Health System has trained resident physicians, many of whom have stayed to practice medicine in the Four State area. On Friday, June 19, Indigo Sky Casino in Wyandotte, Oklahoma served as the site of the 2015 class of Freeman resident graduates. Eight new physicians graduated from the program in a ceremony that was attended by more than 100 guests.

“It is important to any rural health care system to have doctors who receive world-class training, and then decide to stay and practice medicine in the local rural communities. We’re proud of the fact that of the eight resident physicians to graduate this year, half have decided to stay in Joplin and practice medicine at Freeman,” said Dr. Larry McIntire, ENT Program Director.

As a teaching hospital, Freeman provides medical students and resident doctors the opportunity to study with some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated physicians in the country. Freeman is a member of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Medical Consortium and the regional Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institution and an affiliate of Oklahoma State University College of Medicine. Freeman sponsors graduate medical education training in four residency programs: Emergency Medicine, Ear, Nose, and Throat (Otolaryngology/Facial Plastic Surgery), Internal Medicine and Psychiatry. The Emergency Medicine, Ear, Nose, and Throat and Internal Medicine training programs provide a balance of primary, secondary, tertiary, and inpatient quartiary care; ambulatory care; emergency care; and community health.

There has also been much excitement surrounding the announcement of the new Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences Joplin campus. With over 40 years of experience in graduate medical education, Freeman is proud to be a key component of the new school, with the pledge of a multi-million dollar gift for the establishment of a Joplin campus. In addition, Freeman Health System has made a commitment to provide residency and training opportunities for KCU Joplin students. The increased ability to train physicians in Joplin will revolutionize medical care for the region, which is currently underserved in terms of physician capacity.

The keynote address for the 2015 graduation ceremony was given by Dr. G. Michael Johnston, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences Vice Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Robert McNab, Director of Medical Education, Dr. Franklin Veer, Freeman Emergency Medicine Program Director, and Dr. McIntire also addressed the graduates and guests. Each of the graduates gave a short speech as well. Residents, graduate families, teaching faculty, and alumni were invited.

Freeman Health System – Celebrating 90 Years
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 2014, Freeman earned 90 individual awards for medical excellence and safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report ranked Freeman #1 Hospital in Southwest Missouri in 2014-15, and The Leapfrog Group gave Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2014 Hospital Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular 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 or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo. #FreemanTurns90