JOPLIN, Mo. – Roughly eight months from now, Neosho and Newton County residents will be able to enjoy a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center offering unprecedented therapy capabilities, located within walking distance of Freeman Neosho Hospital in downtown Neosho.

Wearing Freeman hardhats and gripping golden-colored shovels, Freeman Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker – accompanied by key Freeman leaders and Freeman Neosho Board of Directors – turned ceremonial dirt to applause and cheers Wednesday morning.

Construction of the 8,300-square-foot facility will begin in earnest next week, with a completion targeted for September 2025.

“This is something the Neosho community has needed for a very long time, and we are thrilled to be able to bring this service to our community,” said Renee Denton, Freeman Neosho Hospital Chief Operating Officer.

The $3.6 million investment by Freeman will be dedicated to physical, occupational and speech therapy services, expanding services currently offered in Neosho while offering advanced therapeutic tools and technologies. These include a HydroWorx pool and RISE underwater treadmill for aquatic therapy and game-changing strength-training equipment. The facility will also feature five private treatment rooms and a large gymnasium. 

“Freeman Neosho Rehabilitation will provide more space, more privacy, a better floor plan and a much larger gym – ensuring that patients get the specific kind of care they need,” Paula Baker said. 

The new building, she continued, is an important component of Freeman’s continuum of care, with physical, occupational and speech-rehabilitation services helping individuals of all ages return to their everyday activities following an injury, surgery or prolonged illness. 

“We’re thrilled to be able to expand physical therapy and rehabilitation in Neosho, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to help people improve their quality of life,” Baker continued. “Freeman Neosho Rehabilitation is great news for the greater Neosho community.”

“This project would not be possible without the support of our president and CEO Paula Baker, board chairman Rudy Farber and the board of directors here at Freeman Neosho Hospital,” Denton added. “They have committed to helping ensure this comes to fruition and we’ve had many donors as well who have helped with this project, and we are very appreciative of their commitment to the services that we provide here in Neosho.”