Freeman Neosho Hospital Breaks Ground on Expansion Project

Freeman Health System held a groundbreaking ceremony at Freeman Neosho Hospital to celebrate the beginning of a project to expand computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services. The project is the largest at the Neosho campus since 1983.

“Our medical staff, employees and volunteers understand and embrace the belief that Freeman Neosho Hospital is here to serve our friends and neighbors,” said Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “This hospital is woven into the fabric of Neosho and Newton County, and we are honored to continue providing quality healthcare to this community.”

When completed, the addition will be named the Larry D. Neff CT-MRI Suite after Larry D. Neff, who passed away May 29. Neff served as chairman of the Freeman Neosho Board of Directors and was an 18-year member of the Freeman Health System Board of Directors.

The project will add approximately 1,700 square feet to the west side of the building. An additional 1,300 square feet of existing space will be renovated, and includes new, state-of-the-art MRI equipment. This piece of equipment is one of the quietest on the market and will increase patient comfort. The number of available appointments will be doubled and a full-time MRI technician will be employed. Costs for the expansion include $1.5 million for construction and $986,000 for MRI equipment and shielding.

“A primary goal at Freeman Neosho Hospital is to make certain that residents in our community don’t have to travel significant distances to receive exceptional healthcare,” said Renee Denton, Freeman Neosho Chief Operating Officer. “This project will greatly benefit our patients by providing them with convenient and timely services with state-of-the-art equipment.”

Initially, a temporary CT-MRI facility will be constructed on the south end of the campus. Once operational, construction on the Larry D. Neff CT-MRI Suite will begin. The project was designed by HMN Architects and will be constructed by Dewitt & Associates. The expansion is scheduled to be completed in late 2017.

(left to right) Dr. Larry Barnes, Freeman Neosho Secretary; Rudy Farber, Freeman Neosho Board President;  Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer; Dr. Roy Shaver, Freeman Neosho Board Member; Dee Anne Evenson, Freeman Neosho Board Member; Renee Denton, Freeman Neosho Chief Operating Officer;  Larry Dean Neff, son of the late Larry D. Neff

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. For 2017, 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 ranked Freeman one of the top Hospitals in Southwest Missouri more than four years in a row, and The Leapfrog Group awarded Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2016 Hospital Patient Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular 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 or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo.