Freeman Welcomes Palliative Care Physician

Freeman Health System announces the addition of Dr. Christopher Black. Dr. Black grew up in Joplin and specializes in palliative medicine at Freeman Hospital West.

“It’s a rewarding field in healthcare. My goal is not to cure, but to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family during treatment,” said Dr. Black. “Because I’m making sure their medical, emotional and spiritual needs are met, I have the opportunity to connect with patients and their families on a different level.”

Unlike hospice care, which provides pain management and support services for patients at the end of life, palliative care is a medical specialty that offers pain and symptom management, and emotional and spiritual support for those who face chronic, debilitating or life-threatening illness. Palliative care specialists work with patients, the patient’s family and care team to help improve quality of life during and after treatment.

Dr. Black received his medical degree from University of Missouri School of Medicine, Kansas City, Mo., and completed his internal medicine residency at Akron General Medical Center, Akron, Ohio. Dr. Black completed his hospice and palliative medicine fellowship at VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare System, Reno, Nev. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

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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. For 2016, 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. 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.

Freeman Health System announces the addition of Dr. Christopher Black. Dr. Black grew up in Joplin and specializes in palliative medicine at Freeman Hospital West.

“It’s a rewarding field in healthcare. My goal is not to cure, but to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family during treatment,” said Dr. Black. “Because I’m making sure their medical, emotional and spiritual needs are met, I have the opportunity to connect with patients and their families on a different level.”

Unlike hospice care, which provides pain management and support services for patients at the end of life, palliative care is a medical specialty that offers pain and symptom management, and emotional and spiritual support for those who face chronic, debilitating or life-threatening illness. Palliative care specialists work with patients, the patient’s family and care team to help improve quality of life during and after treatment.

Dr. Black received his medical degree from University of Missouri School of Medicine, Kansas City, Mo., and completed his internal medicine residency at Akron General Medical Center, Akron, Ohio. Dr. Black completed his hospice and palliative medicine fellowship at VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare System, Reno, Nev. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

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 2016, 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. 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.