Freeman Joins Forces with Girard Medical Center

Freeman Health System and Girard Medical Center are proud to announce a new affiliation to support health needs of the region to ensure greater access to quality healthcare.

“Freeman and Girard Medical Center have worked together for many years, and we will now work even more closely with the outstanding physicians and clinical and non-clinical staff alike within both organizations,” said Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “Freeman and Girard are responding to the growing demand for additional healthcare options in the communities we serve. By working closely with Girard, the spectrum of services available through the two organizations will significantly increase.

“Additionally, Freeman is fully committed to helping support growing healthcare needs in Southeast Kansas. The resources provided through this affiliation will play a vital role in ensuring the overall health of these communities.”

For Girard and the surrounding areas, there will be more life-saving and life-changing services available, enabling patients to receive the healthcare they need without having to drive to larger cities. Through these facilities, Freeman and Girard will provide patients with convenient access to a comprehensive range of services.

“Our mission is provide excellent healthcare with compassion as we support our communities and provide an environment where our employees and physicians can achieve personal and professional goals,” said Michael Payne, Girard Medical Center Chief Executive Officer. “Through this exciting affiliation, Freeman and Girard will share resources, develop and use standardized patient measures and process bundles, augment joint educational opportunities, and use common tools and techniques to address organizational culture and patient care. All of this helps our continuing efforts to provide excellent care for our patients in an excellent work environment for our staff.”

Because the two healthcare entities will be working collaboratively, the affiliation will enable them to further promote their missions and accomplish their goals. Each will further join forces to identify areas of additional outreach specialties required to support the healthcare needs in and around Joplin and Girard. Both will engage in joint-planning to foster improved access to care, improved quality of clinical care and enhanced provider-staff relationships.

(left to right) Glen Mathis, Girard Medical Center Board of Trustees Chairman; Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer; Michael Payne, Girard Medical Center Chief Executive Officer

About Girard Medical Center

Girard Medical Center (GMC) has served Crawford County and rural Southeastern Kansas since 1918, providing comprehensive healthcare and other services. A full-range of hospital services are offered to meet the healthcare needs of the communities including laboratory, radiology, therapy, surgery, nursing, ER and home health, in addition to orthopedic, bariatric, pulmonary rehabilitation and senior behavioral health. Reaching out into the community through clinics in Cherokee, Frontenac, Girard and Arma, as well as numerous outreach programs and opportunities, are just a few other ways that GMC serves the communities of Southeastern Kansas. A newly-updated hospital facility with state-of-the-art technological capabilities and a strong professional staff enables GMC to continue to provide the quality care that patients deserve, and enforces their commitment to the health and well-being of all residents in Southeastern Kansas, now and in the future. For more information, visit girardmedicalcenter.com or facebook.com/girardmedicalcenter.

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