Freeman Celebrates Joplin’s First Baby of 2021

Joplin, Mo – Joplin’s first baby of 2021 arrived at Freeman Health System at 1:45 am January 1. Braxton Townes Hardiman is the first child for his parents Bryan and Rebecca Hardiman. Braxton weighed in at 8 pounds, 13.8 ounces, and is 20 inches long.

“It feels amazing being a mom,” says Rebecca. “I couldn’t have asked for a better son, and after all the chaos of 2020, it’s nice starting 2021 with such a blessing.”

Being the New Year Baby is becoming a family tradition for the Hardiman family. Braxton’s dad Bryan is a twin. He and his brother were born on New Year’s Day in 1997. The similarities don’t stop there.  Baby Braxton not only shares his dad’s birthday but also shares his middle name – Townes.

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About Freeman Health System

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 2020, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System the Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri for 2020. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 80 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart 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.