Do you live in Joplin or the surrounding communities?
Freeman Health System is looking for residents in the area who would be willing to share about their health care experiences and how they can be improved. If you are selected to take part in this group, you will share your feedback in a 90-minute virtual focus group.
Everyone who participates will receive a $100 Visa or Amazon e-gift card after the group is complete!
Sign up here.
CPR training is now available through the Joplin Health Department and has been noted as an important skill to learn. Doctors have stated administering CPR outside the hospital can save thousands of lives annually, but about half of Americans say they don’t know how to do it.
Two classes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation are being offered on Thursday, January 18, for the public. Classes will be held in Conference Room 1 of the Joplin Public Library, 1901 East 20th Street. The classes are a part of the American Heart Association’s training.
AHA Heartsaver CPR/AED is scheduled from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This course trains participants to give CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a safe, timely, and effective manner. Students receive a certification upon completion. Fee for the course is $50 per person.
AHA HeartCode® BLS Skills Checkoff will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am on January 18. The course is designed for those who have already completed the online portion of the HeartCode® BLS course: https://elearning.heart.org/course/437 . This is the hands-on skills session check-off to complete the certification for HeartCode® BLS. Cost is $20 per person.
Preregistration and pre-payment are required to attend either of these classes. Participants can complete these steps by going to the Joplin Parks registration website of their online catalog. Classes are listed under the Adult Programs division of the registration site. Citizens can also call the Health Department at 417.623.6122, ext. 1258 for more information.
(Joplin, MO) – The Joplin Metro Corporate Challenge (JMCC), along with presenting sponsor Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is thrilled to announce the start of its 2024 season, providing an exciting opportunity for Joplin Metro companies to engage and interact with one another through a series of sporting and recreational events. The JMCC, an Olympic-type competition, aims to promote employee wellness, teamwork, and community engagement while raising funds for local charities.
“This is such a great event for our community and area businesses! It brings everyone together for fun, friendly competition, networking, and adds an element of health and well-being,” said Steven Benfield, Director of Recreational Services at MSSU. “All while benefiting great local organizations! I can say firsthand that the morale at MSSU was elevated during our participation in the Corporate Challenge! We are a relatively big organization, so it was fun to spend time and get to know other MSSU employees outside of our normal work setting!”
Following the success of its inaugural year, the 2024 JMCC promises to be even more exciting and competitive. The events lined up for this season include a wide range of activities, such as 5K, basketball, bowling, cornhole, pickleball, softball, volleyball, kickball, dodgeball, scavenger hunt, walk, slim down challenge, e-sports tournament, disc golf, golf scramble, and weightlifting. Whether participants are seasoned athletes, new to sports, or only interested in recreational activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this spirited competition.
Companies interested in participating in this year’s JMCC are invited to register promptly to secure their spot in the games. The entry fee is based on the number of employees working for your company in the Joplin Metro area.
The 2024 JMCC will continue to support local charities that significantly impact the Joplin community. This year’s selected beneficiaries are the Boys & Girls Club of SWMO and SET Ranch & Prosperity Club.
“We are excited to join the Corporate Challenge again this year,” said Sarah McMullen, Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of SWMO. “We are thrilled to be selected as a recipient of the funds that Corporate Challenge raises. Our community needs are growing, and our work at the Club is never done. With costs rising, these funds raised will go to supplies used in our academic enrichment programming, workforce readiness lessons, and substance abuse prevention programs.”
Last year’s success story saw Freeman Health System clinching the first-place trophy, followed closely by Missouri Southern State University in second place and Mercy Hospital taking third place.
“The participation and feedback we received in our inaugural season affirmed the need to continue this fantastic initiative,” said Serita Eldridge, Program Director of the JMCC. “The 2024 season promises to deliver even more excitement, camaraderie, and community engagement. We invite all Joplin Metro companies to unite, challenge each other, and make a difference in our community through this amazing event.”
For more information about the Joplin Metro Corporate Challenge and how to register, please visit our website at jmcorporatechallenge.com.
Reference:
Serita Eldridge, Program Director
Joplin Metro Corporate Challenge
417.623.4569
serita@jmcorporatechallenge.com
CPR training is now available through the Joplin Health Department and has been noted as an important skill to learn. Doctors have stated administering CPR outside the hospital can save thousands of lives annually, but about half of Americans say they don’t know how to do it.
Two classes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation are being offered on Wednesday, November 8, for the public. Classes will be held in Conference Room 1 of the Joplin Public Library, 1901 East 20th Street. The classes are a part of the American Heart Association’s training.
AHA Heartsaver CPR/AED is scheduled from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. This course trains participants to give CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a safe, timely, and effective manner. Students receive a certification upon completion. Fee for the course is $50 per person.
AHA HeartCode® BLS Skills Checkoff will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am on November 8. The course is designed for those who have already completed the online portion of the HeartCode® BLS course. This is the hands-on skills session check-off to complete the certification for HeartCode® BLS. Cost is $20 per person.
Preregistration and pre-payment are required to attend either of these classes. Participants can complete these steps by going to the Joplin Parks registration website of their online catalog. Classes are listed under the Adult Programs division of the registration site. Citizens can also call the Health Department at 417.623.6122, ext. 1258 for more information.
Reference:
Lynn Iliff Onstot, Public Information Officer
City of Joplin
417.624.0820, ext. 204
LOnstot@joplinmo.org
The Joplin Health Department is now offering CPR training. This important skill can save thousands of lives annually, but only about half of Americans say they know how to do it.
Two CPR classes are being offered on Thursday, June 22. These classes are part of the American Heart Association’s training and are open to the public. They will be held in Conference Room 1 of the Joplin Public Library (1901 E. 20th Street).
This class is a great one for new parents, grandparents, babysitters, and others. The cost is $25 per person.
The course is designed for those who have already completed the online portion of the HeartCode® BLS course. This is the hands-on skills session check-off to complete the certification for HeartCode® BLS. Cost is $20 per person.
Preregistration and pre-payment are required to attend either of these classes. Participants can complete these steps by going to the Joplin Parks registration website of their online catalog. Classes are listed under the Adult Programs division of the registration site.
Citizens can also call the Health Department at 417.623.6122, ext. 1258 for more information.
Reference:
Joplin Health Department
417.623.6122, ext. 1256
Stealth Creative and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce are excited to share that their teams won a bronze Anthem Award for their work on the Healthy Joplin website!
Healthy Joplin is a local staple, offering resources and opportunities to help residents live their best (and healthiest!) lives. Stealth is doubly proud to receive this honor because one of their offices is located in Joplin!
Both teams extend their sincerest gratitude to both The Anthem Awards and Healthy Joplin.
Learn about what’s new in local health care with Freeman Health System’s online newsletter, Freeman in a Flash. Read about new sleep apnea treatments, December’s health focus, the Joplin Christmas parade, and much more below.
A year and a half ago, Freeman announced the acquisition of MONARCH® – a transformative new robotic technology that helps our doctors find lung cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. Now, Freeman pulmonologist Dr. Grant Piersonhas performed his 200th MONARCH procedure in less than two years.
Freeman is the first and only health system in Missouri, Southeast Kansas, and Northeast Oklahoma to invest in MONARCH platform by Auris. MONARCH gives our physicians advanced maneuverability to navigate a patient’s airways to detect and biopsy potentially cancerous nodules.
“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, in part because it has no symptoms in its early stages,” said Dr. Pierson. “Because the MONARCH platform provides improved reach, vision and control for bronchoscopic procedures, it holds potential to help us to make a diagnosis earlier. We are excited about the promise of this technology to offer a more hopeful future for our patients with lung cancer.”
Learn more about Dr. Pierson and MONARCH here. For more information about MONARCH, pulmonology services or to make an appointment, call 417.347.8315.
Freeman Health System is now offering Inspire Therapy, an innovative method obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment option for those who cannot use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Freeman is the first and only system within a 70-mile radius of Joplin to offer Inspire.
Inspire works inside the body with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat sleep apnea. Mild stimulation opens the airway during sleep, enabling oxygen to flow naturally.
The Inspire team at Freeman includes Dr. Grant Pierson (pulmonology specialist) and Dr. Jason Maxfield (sleep medicine specialist) referring patients to Dr. Kent McIntire (ear, nose and throat specialist).
“Freeman is fortunate to have three excellent physicians collaborating in a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to treat poor sleep for the best therapy outcomes,” said Paula Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “Good sleep improves cognition, concentration, productivity and performance. It can also maximize problem-solving skills and enhance memory. If you’ve ever missed a few of hours sleep, you know it can make you feel like you’re running on empty. This is why Freeman invested in this breakthrough sleep therapy called Inspire.”
Learn more here.
In November, Missouri voters passed Amendment 3, expanding marijuana use beyond medicinal purposes and legalizing it for recreation for those 21 years of age and older. Sale of recreational marijuana could begin as early as February 2023, though it is important to recognize marijuana use remains federally illegal. This change presents new challenges as employers consider changes to drug testing policies.
Share your questions with Freeman OccuMed about how this change impacts your business. Stay tuned for details about an information seminar on workplace substance abuse in January 2023.
Ask your question here.
Save your spot — because feeling better shouldn’t be a waiting game.
Patients can use the Save My Spot feature on the Freeman Health System website to select a convenient time to come in.
Freeman Urgent Care – Joplin
Freeman Urgent Care – Webb City
Note: Using Save My Spot is not required to be seen in our facilities. Walk-ins are always welcome! Please check with your insurance carrier to verify coverage before your arrival. If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening illness or injury, call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
As you plan your Employee Wellness programs and communication, you can find resources at the Department of Health and Human Services Monthly Observances Calendar.
Each month focuses on approximately three to six topics. Here are two resources for December:
World AIDS Day
National Influenza Vaccination Week
Tuesday, December 6 @ 6:00 pm | Main Street in Joplin from 15th to 2nd Street
Brought to you by Freeman Health System.
Freeman Health Systemis proud to continue our ongoing support and sponsorship of the Annual Joplin Christmas Parade. We consider this a gift to the community we are so blessed to have served for the past 97 years, and we are honored play a key role in bringing the parade to Joplin again this year.
If you would like to enter your organization or business in the Joplin Christmas Parade, be sure you get your entry form filled out as soon as possible to ensure your participation in this great community event.
Check out the parade details here.
Subscribe to Freeman in a Flash and the newsletter will be shared with you each month via email. Sign up today!
Learn about what’s new in local health care with Freeman Health System’s online newsletter, Freeman in a Flash. Read about new doctors at Freeman, the VigiLanz Awards, the Joplin Christmas Parade, and much more below.
Freeman Health System has been awarded the VigiLanz® Pharmacy Team of the Year award. This award honors our Freeman pharmacists for their significant contributions and improvements to patient care and safety at Freeman Health System.
Since implementing VigiLanz in 2018, Freeman Pharmacy has created over 650 VigiLanz rules that aid in keeping our patients healthier and safe, reducing readmission rates and saving $98,000 since January 2022.
Freeman Health System was recognized for using VigiLanz to:
Learn more about the VigiLanz Awards here.
Freeman Neosho Physician Group is pleased to welcome Dr. Shelby Tinney-Edge, an internal medicine physician, to its staff. A native of the Joplin area, Dr. Tinney-Edge considers Freeman home.
“I always knew I was going to come back home and help the people in my community,” Dr. Tinney-Edge said. “I felt like the physicians at Freeman Neosho Physician Group were very close knit. I liked the small town feel of Neosho, and there is a great need for primary care.”
Outside of work, Dr. Tinney-Edge enjoys spending time with her husband, Dr. Jacob Edge, and their son.
Dr. Tinney-Edge is accepting new patients at Freeman Neosho Physician Group, 336 S. Jefferson St., Neosho. To schedule an appointment, call 417.455.4200.
Read more about Dr. Tinney-Edge here.
Save your spot — because feeling better shouldn’t be a waiting game.
Patients can use the Save My Spot feature on the Freeman Health System website to select a convenient time to come in.
Note: Using Save My Spot is not required to be seen in our facilities. Walk-ins are always welcome! Please check with your insurance carrier to verify coverage before your arrival. If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening illness or injury, call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
Visit the Save My Spot website here.
As you plan your Employee Wellness programs and communication, you can find resources at the Department of Health and Human Services Monthly Observances Calendar. Each month focuses on approximately three to six topics of interest. Here are just a few resources for November:
Freeman Health Systemis proud to continue our ongoing support and sponsorship of the Annual Joplin Christmas Parade. We consider this a gift to the community we are so blessed to have served for the past 97 years, and we are honored play a key role in bringing the parade to Joplin again this year.
If you would like to enter your organization or business in the Joplin Christmas Parade, be sure you get your entry form filled out as soon as possible to ensure your participation in this great community event.
Details are as follows:
Learn more here.
Subscribe to Freeman in a Flash and the newsletter will be shared with you each month via email. Sign up today!
Buckle Up Phone Down: A Safety Challenge That Can Make a Difference
The Joplin Health Department is challenging teens and all drivers to buckle up and put their phones down to reduce car crashes, as it is the number one cause of death among teenagers. This work is an initiative of the Health Dept. to help reduce motor vehicle-related injuries and fatalities under a contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
The Buckle Up Phone Down campaign is tackling the two most impactful actions a driver can take to prevent crashes — or survive if one occurs. The Missouri Department of Transportation began “Buckle Up, Phone Down” in 2017 to begin reducing this statistic. This campaign has been adopted by many states and has received national attention.
As part of this effort, Friday, October 21, 2022 has designated as Missouri Buckle Up Phone Down Day. The State of Missouri is pushing for ZERO fatalities on roadways on Friday, October 21. One way to do this is if everyone would buckle up every time they are in the car, put their phone down, or set it to “do not disturb” while driving. Distracted driving is on the rise. Distracted driving can also include “impaired” driving due to alcohol, drugs, excessive sleepiness, and other activities people do when driving.
The Health Department initiated an informational campaign on its Facebook page with individuals demonstrating the Buckle Up Phone Down symbol. To do this, a person gives a “thumbs up” with their right hand and a “thumbs down” with their left hand. They also encourage many people to participate in this photo opportunity and post it on their own Facebook page using the hashtag #buckleuphonedown
Read more about this initiative and take the pledge at: www.modot.org/bupd
Below are statistics related to this safety promotion that clearly demonstrates the need for all drivers to Buckle Up and put their Phone Down.
Buckle Up:
In 2020, more than 975 people lost their lives in Missouri traffic crashes, an increase of 10% from 2019. Missouri’s current safety belt usage rate is 86% with the unbuckled 14% accounting for 349 fatalities in 2019.
Phone Down:
Over the past five years, cell phone-related crashes in Missouri have increased by 30%, with nearly 2,500 crashes in 2019. Right now, Missouri has a “no texting” law for drivers aged 21 years and under. But distracted driving isn’t just a young driver’s problem. Approximately 70% of drivers using cell phones in Missouri traffic crashes were 22 years of age or older. We are challenging all drivers to honor that ban no matter what their age.
Reference:
Lynn Iliff Onstot, Public Information Officer
City of Joplin
417.624.0820, ext. 204
LOnstot@joplinmo.org
(Joplin, MO) – Freeman Health System invites area residents to travel the world of health care without leaving Joplin. The annual Freeman Advantage Health & Resource Fair is your passport to good health and will take place from 7:30 am – 11:00 am on Wednesday, August 3, at Freeman Business Center, located at 3220 McClelland Blvd. Participants are encouraged to use the back entrance.
“We’re excited about the return of the Freeman Advantage Health & Resource Fair,” said Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “It hasn’t been held since April of 2019 due to the pandemic, and this year’s fair features a diverse lineup. There will be guided mindfulness sessions, fitness assessments, and a presentation by Matt Adrian, Freeman’s General Counsel, on the legal aspects of hospitalization, such as power of attorney and advance medical directives. We’re looking forward to a fun and informative event and hope to see you there.”
The come-and-go event features health screenings, informative presentations, interactive booths, door prizes, and free breakfast.
“The Freeman Screen Team will be available doing fasting blood screens that check cholesterol levels, lipids, and much more,” said Jamie Gillmore, Freeman Advantage Coordinator. “Guests will need to fast eight hours for those screenings, so we are offering free breakfast for everyone. The blood screenings have a $10 fee but all other screenings, such as blood pressure checks, bone density, and body mass index (BMI), are free.”
Visitors will receive a “passport” upon entry and then collect stamps from the various vendors or by participating in activities, which then qualifies them for door prizes.
“It’s a win-win,” said Gillmore. “Seniors get valuable information in a fun way as well as giveaways and door prizes. Folks look forward to this event. They can learn about Freeman physicians and services, Medicare assistance, senior living options, home insurance, and can even try out a driving simulator that replicates dawn and dusk conditions, which can be challenging for seniors.”
Ozark Center Innovative Solutions is a new participant in the Advantage Health & Resource Fair and will offer a presentation on resiliency in aging. Ozark Center professionals will also be available to address questions about mental health.
The schedule for Advantage Health & Resource Fair presentations is:
Freeman Advantage is a medical, education and social program for those over the age of 50, who can receive a lifetime membership for just $20. Activities include walking and bowling groups that meet three times a week, exercise classes, game days, book club, day trips, and extended travel opportunities. Advantage currently has 3,100 members.
For additional information, contact Jamie Gillmore at 417.347.5837 or click here.
Reference:
Jamie Gillmore, Freeman Advantage Coordinator
Freeman Health System
417.347.5837
