Freeman chief medical information officer blends expertise as physician and software developer

JOPLIN, Mo.—The combination of his 13-year career as an OBGYN in Chicago and his role in establishing a healthcare technology software development company equip Dr. Thomas Glodek with the ideal skillset to serve as Freeman Health System’s new chief medical information officer. Dr. Glodek comes to Freeman with a 20 year career in healthcare. In his new role, Dr. Glodek will blend his clinical experience and technical background, interfacing with Freeman’s information technology team and specialty physicians to provide software applications that can be used effectively, efficiently and productively to deliver the best patient care possible. 

"We are thrilled to add Dr. Glodek to the Freeman team,” said Dr. Richard Schooler, Freeman executive vice president and chief operating officer. “He brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience. We look forward to his assistance in taking Freeman to the next level of medical information technology.” 

Dr. Glodek will give special focus to the individual needs of specialty physicians. One of his areas of emphasis will be engaging all clinical care providers, including physicians, nurses, mid-levels, and support staff, to truly understand how their needs can be integrated into the implementation of healthcare technologies.

“The needs of a pediatrician are different from those of an orthopaedic surgeon,” said Dr. Glodek. “The challenges are to understand the needs of those providers and then translate that into software applications. With input from physicians, IT, and Freeman’s leaders, we will continue to be the best place to give and receive care.” 

Dr. Glodek has served as the founder and CEO of The Physician Advisory Services Group LLC, a physician-led healthcare consulting organization specializing in the implementation of software solutions that increase financial and operational performance. In that capacity, Dr. Glodek worked with physicians to identify their needs and translate solutions into software applications that were usable by their individual practices.

Concurrent to his consulting practice, he served as vice president of physician advisory services and chief medical information officer for Jacobs Consulting Inc. In addition, he founded Medical Software Solutions Inc., based out of Goodyear, Arizona, and operated his own private medical practice for 13 years in Chicago, Ill.

“I loved being in clinical practice. I loved technology,” he said. “As I transitioned out of clinical practice, I began to appreciate the fact that as a physician leader in advisory services and as a chief medical information officer, I could have a very significant impact beyond my ability as an individual provider. It occurred to me that I could be an advocate for clinical care providers in a way I could never do on my own.”

Dr. Glodek earned his doctorate of medicine from Chicago Medical School in Chicago and completed a four-year residency as chief resident and clinical informaticist at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. 

In addition to his contributions to technology development at Freeman, Dr. Glodek will play a role in ensuring the health system’s compliance with mandates set by the federal government. 

Dr. Glodek said he felt the opportunity at Freeman aligned perfectly with his previous experience. This notion was solidified once he met Freeman leaders and staff. 

“I felt a sense of community and family at Freeman,” he said. “I was very drawn to that. Very infrequently in your life do you have that feeling of belonging. There is a real commitment at Freeman to deliver quality care.” 

Dr. Glodek is joined at Freeman by his wife, Mary Ann, a nurse in Freeman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. 

About Freeman Health System
Locally owned and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System has earned a number of US News & World Report distinctions – Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri, #4 hospital in the state, and High Performing status in seven specialties. The 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. A not-for-profit health system, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, and women’s services and has more than 300 physicians on staff. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo.