Freeman named MSSU's exclusive sports med and rehabilitation services provider

Freeman Health System signed a long-term, exclusive partnership with Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) to become its official sports medicine and rehabilitation services provider. Dr. Robert Lieurance, Freeman Orthopaedic Surgeon, will serve as team physician for all MSSU athletics. In addition, Freeman will provide a physician assistant, two athletic trainers and a physical therapist to meet the needs of the university’s 300 student athletes. The health system will also continue to provide staff for MSSU’s student health clinic. 

“For the past 20 years, Freeman has proudly served the students of MSSU, both on and off the field,” said Paula Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “Freeman and Missouri Southern solidified this partnership with an agreement that Freeman will exclusively care for university students during the next 10 years. As MSSU continues to grow and expand, thriving under the leadership of Dr. Alan Marble, Freeman will provide resources to support its students and student athletes.” 

“Freeman Health System, like Missouri Southern, has a long, rich history in Joplin and we’re excited to be able to continue our partnership with them,” said Dr. Alan Marble, president of Missouri Southern State University.

“We know that their staff will provide our student athletes with excellent care. And our campus community as a whole will greatly benefit from their medical expertise through the Willcoxon Health Center.”

Dr. Robert Lieurance has long been a fixture of MSSU athletics, having served as the university’s sports medicine physician for the past 5 years. Dr. Lieurance will continue staffing all home and away football games, as well as all home games for most other sports. He and Edwin Mwangi, Freeman Physician Assistant, will provide a weekly on campus sports medicine clinic for all university athletes. Care provided on the field and in the clinic is offered at no cost to the students. 

“This agreement represents the passion Freeman Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine has for keeping student athletes on the playing field,” said Dr. Lieurance. “Missouri Southern has a rich history of athletics that empowers its student athletes to strive for excellence both on the field and off. It is an honor for me to play a role in keeping these students healthy and fit so they may continue that legacy.” 

Dr. Lieurance is board certified in orthopaedic surgery, having completed medical school at University of Arizona College of Medicine. He completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at Scott and White Memorial Hospital in Texas and a fellowship in sports medicine at Saddleback Memorial Hospital in California. 

In conjunction with the care provided at the campus’ student health clinic, Freeman Urgent Care in Webb City will provide priority scheduling for MSSU students. 

Freeman Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine physicians, together with Freeman athletic trainers, offer world-class care to athletes of all ages throughout the region. The group serves as the sports medicine provider for nearly 20 schools in the region, providing athletic injury assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up evaluations. Freeman Rehabilitation and Sports Center, located at 2206 East 32nd Street, features innovative treatment unique to the area, including a sports performance center, basketball performance court, balance testing and treatment, safe driving evaluations, sports concussion testing and a cutting-edge aquatic program. 

About Freeman Health System
Locally owned 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. 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. 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.