A standing-room-only crowd gathered Wednesday morning to celebrate the fruition of when “vision meets generosity and determination.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the grand opening of Freeman Neosho Rehab Center, an 8,300-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility offering unprecedented health care services and therapy capabilities that previously did not exist to Neosho residents so close to home.

“I hear it every day, from our community, that we have the highest quality of therapists right here in Neosho, and to have a state-of-the-art facility matching their quality of care—it’s only fitting,” said Renee Denton, Chief Executive Officer of Rural Hospitals for Freeman Health System.

The $3.6 million facility, located just east of Freeman Neosho Hospital at 346 S. Wood Street, serves as a testament to what can be achieved when people come together with a shared focus and purpose, she said.

“(Freeman Neosho Rehab Center) didn’t happen overnight and it didn’t happen alone,” Denton continued. “It happened because of a shared commitment between Freeman and several very generous donors.”

Those donors, each recognized by Denton during the ceremony, included: Rudolph and Dorothy Farber; The Farber Foundation; Community Bank & Trust; Arvest Foundation; Dr. Kent and Holly Farnsworth; Dan and Tina Hierholzer; Liberty; Jim and Faith Armstrong; Dr. Brady and Dana Hesington; Dr. Larry and Vickie Barnes; Mitch and Becky McCumber; Ray and Alma Stipp; and K&S Wire Products in memory of Gene Schwartz.

The facility, said Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Fry, will be named after two “incredible” women: Renee Denton and former Freeman president Paula Baker.

“Paula Baker and Renee Denton have made extraordinary efforts in this community to ensure Neosho Hospital is a top-tier hospital and the care delivered in this community is of the top caliber,” Fry said. “We are exceptionally grateful for their service they’ve both put forth in this community, and I’m reminded of a quote from Sir Issac Newton: ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.’”

Dr. Ryan Collier, Director of Rehabilitation Services for Freeman Neosho, said the new facility has been 15 years in the making.

“My dream was to be able to build a new rehab center to serve our community, and through the hard work and dedication of many people, we are here today to see that dream come true,” he said. “The great thing about this facility is that we offer professional, personalized, quality care in your backyard, and there’s no reason to go anywhere else than right here in your hometown.”

Guided tours were conducted during the grand opening ceremony, with guests eagerly peeking into the room housing the HydroWorx™ aquatic therapy pool, which uses the water’s buoyancy, resistance, and warmth to allow faster recovery, less pain, and improved mobility for arthritis, post-surgery recovery, or chronic pain.

Serving as the backdrop during the ceremony were Keiser™ medical strength and exercise machines, which use compressed air for smooth, consistent force, reducing joint stress and injury risk during rehab.

Other advanced therapeutic tools and technologies offered at Freeman Neosho Rehab Center include:

• Physical Therapy: Rehab from fractures, sprains, and surgeries; management of chronic conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and neurological disorders; improvement of mobility, balance, and strength to enhance daily function; addressing dizziness and eliminating balance issues through vestibular therapy.
• Occupational Therapy: Helping patients regain independence in daily activities after an injury or illness; modifying environments to support patients’ ability to perform tasks; faster recovery through precise positioning with custom splint-making capabilities.
• Speech Therapy: Treating speech disorders such as stuttering or articulation; addressing language delays; improving cognitive-communication skills in conditions like stroke or brain injuries; offering swallow studies to identify problems with the pharynx and esophagus.

“This collaborative effort by all is an investment in hope, in healing, and in the future of every patient who will walk through these doors,” Denton said. “Because of each of you, (Neosho and Newton County-based) families will have access to care close to home, and lives will be changed for generations to come.”