Primary Care Doctor Helps Meet Rural Care Need

Joplin, Mo – Kansas has a shortage of primary care physicians, but Dr. Ryan Sorell is helping meet that rural care need by bringing his primary care practice back home to Pittsburg, the city where he graduated college at Pittsburg State University.

The shortage of primary care physicians in Kansas and the surrounding area has implications for the aging population. By 2039, nearly 22.5% of Kansans will be 65 or older with increasing medical needs. Of the state’s 105 counties, 92 are considered partially or wholly underserved.

There are great doctors in Pittsburg, but more are needed to serve the growing population. Dr. Sorell has joined the Freeman Physician Group of Pittsburg, where he is already seeing patients who say they haven’t been to a doctor in more than 10 years.

Area residents can get to know Dr. Sorell at a Meet the Doctor event on September 23 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at his office at 1201 Centennial Drive. Refreshments will be provided.

Dr. Sorell has dual specialties as he also practices sports medicine. He will also work alongside Dr. Michael Zafuta at Freeman Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine of Pittsburg. Helping to meet the demand of primary care needs is important, and Dr. Sorell hopes to treat the whole person for life and not just their injuries.

“It’s more than just when patients get hurt,” said Dr. Sorell. “It’s important to factor in nutrition, fitness training, evaluating and being fit so you don’t get hurt. That’s where I can fill a gap. I look at all aspects of who someone is as a person and what that contributes to causing injuries in order to prevent them and help them recover as soon as possible.”

A graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Dr. Sorell completed his residency in family medicine at St. Joseph Health System in Mishawaka, Indiana. He completed a fellowship in primary care and sports medicine with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Dr. Sorell provides comprehensive preventative services such as health screenings and management of long-term conditions, as well as treating sprains, fractures, muscle and joint issues, and other orthopaedic issues that do not require surgery.

Dr. Sorell and his wife, Megan, a Baxter Springs native, live in Pittsburg with their three children, Neely, Nolan and Marlee. The family loves spending time outdoors. The kids play youth sports and they go hiking as a family. 

Dr. Sorell is accepting new patients. Appointments can be made by contacting Freeman Physician Group of Pittsburg (1201 Centennial) at 620.308.7245.

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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 2020-2021. 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.