Anderson, Mo. – Access to primary care in rural areas is a growing concern. Only about 10 percent of the nation’s physicians work in rural areas, despite 25 percent of the American population living there.1 To meet that growing need, Freeman Health System continues its pledge to offer quality care to neighboring communities.
“Many residents in rural areas can’t afford to travel long distances for routine wellness exams or screenings,” said Dr. Bei Zheng, Freeman Clinic of Anderson family medicine specialist. “Consequently, by the time they get to a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment, their conditions are often more advanced and harder to treat. That’s why I love working in Anderson. I can quickly diagnose individuals and get them on the road to recovery.”
According to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, health risk factors for rural Missourians are increased with significantly higher smoking rates, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and lower rates of preventive screenings.2
“I love treating the whole person,” said Dr. Zheng. “I don’t just treat a cough – I want to educate patients and make sure they’re healthy long-term on the inside and out.”
Dr. Zheng is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and has an interest in women’s health, preventive medicine and skin disorders. Freeman Clinic of Anderson offers the services of Dr. Zheng, a nurse practitioner, two registered medical assistants, a physical therapist, a physical therapy assistant, an office coordinator and a receptionist. Providers are available 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Thursday and 8:00 am – 12:00 pm Friday. Appointments can be made by calling 417.845.0545.
1Rural Healthy People 2010 – Healthy People 2010: A Comparison Document for Rural Areas, is a project funded with grant support from the Federal Office of Health Policy.
2Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, Bureau of Health Care Analysis and Data Dissemination.
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 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 in 2014-15, and The Leapfrog Group gave Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2015 Hospital 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 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.