Freeman Announces Promotions

Joplin, Mo. – Freeman Health System announces the appointment of two physicians to new executive leadership positions. Dr. Saba Habis, FACP, has been named Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Jeffrey Grills has been named Vice President of Medical Affairs.

Since joining Freeman in 2006, Freeman Chief Medical Officer Dr. Saba Habis has served as Freeman Vice President of Medical Affairs, Freeman Chief Quality Officer and Freeman Center for Geriatric Medicine Medical Director. In 2013, Dr. Habis received the Missouri Health Literacy Trailblazer Award for his work to improve multigenerational communication and help older adults learn to better manage their medications. Dr. Habis earned his medical degree from Damascus University Hospital, Damascus, Syria, and completed his fellowship in geriatric medicine at University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria, Illinois. A Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Dr. Habis serves as Clinical Professor of Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, Missouri.

Freeman Vice President of Medical Affairs Dr. Jeffrey Grills has been with Freeman for more than 18 years. He played a key role in bringing pediatric specialty services to the Freeman West campus through the establishment of Children’s Kansas City in 2014. Dr. Grills earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, and completed his residency in pediatrics at Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Freeman Health System – Celebrating 90 Years
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 2014, Freeman earned 90 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 #1 Hospital in Southwest Missouri in 2014-15, and The Leapfrog Group gave Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2014 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. #FreemanTurns90