Freeman Neosho named Employer of the Month

JOPLIN, Mo. – Following a nine-month renovation project, Freeman Neosho Hospital will celebrate its recent facilities enhancement with the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce. Given the hospital’s service to the community, employment opportunities and recent improvements, the chamber selected Freeman Neosho as its July Employer of the Month. A presentation will take place 10:30 am Tuesday, July 8, in Freeman Neosho’s recently opened La-Z-Boy Therapeutic Services Center. 

“Freeman brings new doctors to our area and serves as a valuable part of our community,” said Rob Higginbotham, chair of the Business and Employer Appreciation Committee for the Neosho Chamber. “Freeman Neosho is the only full-service hospital available to Neosho, which adds a lot to our community.” 

The most recent such addition was the creation of the La-Z-Boy Therapeutic Services Center. Located near the hospital’s main entrance, the center was named after the Neosho business following its generous donation to help fund the renovation. 
“Freeman is incredibly grateful to La-Z-Boy for their support of this project,” said Paula Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “Their donation will bring expanded care and services to residents of Neosho.”

Because medical records are now electronic, the space previously used to store those documents was renovated to house the La-Z-Boy Therapeutic Center. There, patients receive infusion therapy and cardiac rehabilitation. Patients who require daily, weekly or monthly IV antibiotics or medication injections now benefit from the expanded infusion therapy space, which increased from one to four chairs. Exercise equipment for cardiac rehabilitation patients is also located in the La-Z-Boy Therapeutic Services Center, which features televisions and a color palette designed to bring calm and comfort. 

Renee Denton, Freeman Neosho Director of Administrative Services, said the 2,177-square-foot space has improved access to services for patients. 

“Because of the renovation, we were able to relocate the admission area for our infusion therapy and cardiac rehabilitation patients to a location closer to the Therapeutic Services Center,” said Denton. “This same admissions area is now used by patients seeking our laboratory and radiology services, thus improving convenience for many of our patients.”

In addition to the La-Z-Boy Therapeutic Services Center, Freeman Neosho renovated the waiting area for its intensive care unit, a project also supported by La-Z-Boy. In 2013, the hospital updated its first and second floor main corridors and renovated 21 patient rooms. 

“Freeman Neosho Hospital is known for its quality patient care,” said Denton. “Now our interior exudes that same level of quality.”

About Freeman Health System
Locally owned and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System has earned a number of US News & World Report distinctions – Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri, #4 hospital in the state, and High Performing status in seven specialties. The 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. A not-for-profit health system, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, and women’s services and has more than 300 physicians on staff. 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.