JOPLIN, Mo. – Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker announced on Tuesday a key change to the Freeman leadership team, with Freeman Internist Amanda Harrell, DO, named as the new Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

Baker said Dr. Harrell will be transitioning into her new role over the coming months. The Freeman CMO provides oversight and direction of the medical care provided by Freeman as well as leadership to the Freeman medical staff. 

“I am excited to have her join our senior administrative team,” Baker said.

David Baker, DO, who has served as Freeman’s CMO since 2021, will return to clinical surgery practice at Freeman, she said. Dr. Baker is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery and specializes in general surgery. 

“I want to personally thank Dr. Baker for his service to Freeman in the Chief Medical Officer role,” she said. “His guidance was instrumental in navigating our COVID response as well as many other challenges we have encountered over his tenure.”

Dr. Harrell – who joined Freeman Southwest Internal Medicine in August 2016 – earned her medical degree at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, Mo., and completed her internal medicine residency at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Mo.