Freeman Radiation Oncologist Earns Top Honors

Joplin, MO – Each year, Castle Connolly surveys tens of thousands of practicing physicians for nominations to its peer-reviewed registry. A physician-led research team evaluates physicians for the Top Doctors list, considering their professional qualifications, education, hospital and faculty appointments, research leadership, professional reputation and disciplinary history.

“To me, it is one of the most respectable ways to be selected,” says Dr. Matthiesen. “This action displays to me the respect of my peers for the quality of care that is provided. To be selected for Castle Connolly, a physician cannot nominate themselves – it has to come from someone outside who sees you in that aspect of your profession.”

“Since before entering medicine, I have always been aware of the Castle Connolly Top Doctors recognition of the top physicians in this country,” says Dr. Chance Matthiesen, Freeman Health System Radiation Oncologist who was named Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor 2020. “To be recognized by such an organization is very humbling, and I am very honored.”

Dr. Matthiesen is also listed among America’s Most Honored Doctors for 2020. That distinction means Dr. Matthiesen is part of the top one percent of physicians identified by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a healthcare research company that guides consumers in finding doctors on regional and national levels.

“When a family member, friend or anyone important to us is diagnosed with cancer, we want the BEST for their care. Cancer is serious,” says Dr. Matthiesen. “This information is helpful so people can know who the top physicians are for whatever specialty they need care for. And in this case, that these physicians are available to them locally, so they don’t have to travel to far away cities.”

Dr. Matthiesen has been recognized repeatedly by Castle Connolly. Those distinctions include:

 

- Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor 2020

- America’s Most Honored Doctors 2020

- America’s Most Honored Professionals 2018,2019

- On-Time Physician Award 2017, 2018, 2019

- Patient’s Choice 2017, 2018, 2019

- Compassionate Doctor 2017, 2018

 

“They are all important. It is hard to place one above the other in my mind because they each matter so much to the patient and their family when they come in for treatment,” says Dr. Matthiesen. “Compassionate Doctor might be the most important to me personally, because I know how much it means to people when they know their physician really cares about them, their goals and their family. Compassion is not something that can be taught either. It is either present or absent. To be recognized for compassion means a lot to me because it is a true reflection of how I care about the patients and families I meet.”

 

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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 2019, 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 2019. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 70 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.