Breastfeeding Support Group to Host Event on August 6 as Part of World Breastfeeding Week

Chi Chi MaMa’s Breastfeeding Support Group is holding a breastfeeding celebration to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2022 from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 6 at the Joplin Senior Center.

This event offers fun for the whole family with vendors, free lunch, door prizes, and games. The group will take a walk after the event, so make sure to bring strollers and/or carriers for the little ones.

This event is sponsored by the Breastfeeding Coalition of SWMO, Healthy Blue, Home State Health, and United Health Care.

For more information about this event, please call 417.623.1928, ext. 1763.

 

/by

Freeman in a Flash for July 2022

Learn about what’s new in local healthcare with Freeman Health System’s newsletter, Freeman in a Flash. Read about a new medical office, workplace wellness, upcoming events, and much more. 

Freeman Hosted Groundbreaking for Medical Office Building

Freeman Health System held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 31 for a new $10.1 million medical office building at 34th Street and McIntosh Circle.

The medical office building is part of phase one for a long-term expansion plan for Freeman. The building will house offices for physicians specializing in pain management, dermatology, urology, general surgery, and others in the near future.

Find out more here.

Freeman Brings Pain Management Physician to Pittsburg

Dr. Roger Misasi, interventional pain management specialist, is no stranger to southeast Kansas. He was born in Pittsburg, raised in Arma, attended St. Mary’s Colgan and Pittsburg State University, and was a founding physician and anesthesiologist of the surgery center in Pittsburg.

For the past eight years, Dr. Misasi has been driving to the Kansas City area for work while his wife and daughter lived in Pittsburg. Joining the Freeman Specialty Clinic of Pittsburg means he is home for good.

“It’s great, really,” said Dr. Misasi. “I’ve been living in both places. This creates a balance between work and personal life.”

Read more here.

World Hepatitis Day

Each year on July 28, the World Health Organization sponsors World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness about the global burden of viral hepatitis. This year’s theme, Hep Can’t Wait, emphasizes that we must act now to address the problem of hepatitis.

Protect yourself with a Hepatitis B screening and learn about screening for Hepatitis C. Contact Freeman OccuMed at 417.347.6625 to schedule your Hepatitis A and B vaccinations or to check immunity levels from previous vaccinations. Onsite vacations are available.

Learn more here.

MOCAN Quarterly Conference Registration Open

Registration for the July Quarterly MOCAN Conference is now open. This quarter’s topic is all things Worksite Wellness, so invite anyone who may be interested outside of the MOCAN membership!

Speakers will present on worksite environment, culture, moving back to in-office from remote work, occupational balance and more. Companies will receive their Worksite Wellness Awards. An overview of the Missouri WorkWell Toolkit will round out the activities.

Register online to receive the Zoom link to the conference.

Cost: Free

Contact: Candace Rodman at 660.269.9656

Register and learn more here.

Freeman Hosting Joplin Area Chamber Morning Brew

Hosted once a month, the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Morning Brews highlight individual businesses and offer an informal setting for the area’s business professionals to meet, mingle, and make contacts. This month’s Morning Brew is hosted by Freeman and will take place in the Freeman Hospital Tower Conference Rooms from 7:30 to 8:30 am on Friday, July 8. You can learn more here.

We’ll see you there!

Wellness for Business Series: Part 2, Building Your Employee Wellness Program

During this free session, attendees will be guided through a “crash course” in workplace wellness by the WorkWell Missouri Toolkit. Developed to assist businesses in starting, adding to, or maintaining a wellness program, this is a step-by-step guide for employers to use in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating a workplace wellness program.

Interested individuals can register to participate in-person at the Freeman Business Center, here, or register here to attend virtually.

Caregiver Support Group

The Freeman Caregiver Support Group will meet on Thursday, January 20 at 10:30 am in the Freeman East Conference Rooms.

Join fellow caregivers for this support group meeting to gain advice on what lies ahead, make new friends and learn how to better take care of family members. Door prizes will be given out.

RSVP to Kathy Mason at 417.347.8463 or kdmason@freemanhealth.com. To see the full list of upcoming events offered by Freeman, click here.

Want to Stay in the Loop?

Subscribe to Freeman in a Flash and the newsletter will be shared with you each month via email. Sign up today!

/by

Missouri SBDC and Freeman Health System to Host Part Three of Wellness for Business: Growing Your Employee Wellness Program

Join the Missouri SBDC hosted at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) and Freeman Health System for Wellness for Business Part Three: Growing Your Employee Wellness Program on Tuesday, August 23, 2022.

During this session, participants will hear from Lori Scott Dreiling, Pittsburg State University’s HR Director and former HR Director for Modine Manufacturing who received the Missouri Worksite Wellness Gold Award in 2019. Lori will discuss her experience with worksite wellness and then join a panel of local businesses that have implemented wellness programs.

The Wellness Panel includes:

  • Lori Scott Dreiling, Pittsburg State University’s HR Director and former HR Director for Modine Manufacturing. They received a Missouri Worksite Wellness Gold Award in 2019.
  • Suzan Morang, City of Joplin Health Department’s Community Health Planner/Educator. They received a Missouri Worksite Wellness Silver Award in 2021.
  • Chelsey Davenport, Neosho School District’s Wellness Liaison. They received a Missouri Worksite Wellness Platinum Award in 2021.
  • Michael Sanders, Freeman Health System’s Controller and Healthy Joplin representative.

The panel will be begin at 8:00 am at the Freeman Health System Business Center Conference Room. Virtual attendance is available via Zoom. Attendance fees are covered by Freeman Health System.

Learn more here.

Reference:

Missouri SBDC
417.625.3128
sbdc@mssu.edu

/by

Free Parenting Classes Coming to Carthage in June

(Carthage, MO) – The Alliance of Southwest Missouri will be hosting free parenting classes starting Tuesday, June 21 at Fairview Christian Church.

These parenting classes are free, ten-week courses designed for parents or caregivers of children and teens. The course focuses on:

  • Play therapy
  • Regaining control as a parent
  • Helping your child develop self-control
  • Effectively disciplining and limiting inappropriate behavior
  • Understanding your child’s emotional needs
  • Communicating more effectively with your child

Classes will be from 5:30 to 7:30 on Tuesday nights from June 21 to August 23. Dinner and childcare will be provided at no cost to the participants.

To register for this class, please click here or call 417.782.9899. Classes will be coming to Joplin, Lamar, and McDonald County in September.

/by

Freeman in a Flash for June 2022

Learn about what’s new in local healthcare with Freeman Health System’s newsletter, Freeman in a Flash. Read about Freeman’s recognition as a Healthy People 2030 Champion, upcoming events, and much more. 

Freeman Recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion

Freeman Health System is proud to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion(ODPHP) as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.

The Healthy People 2030 Champion distinction recognizes Freeman’s commitment to helping achieve the Healthy People 2030 vision of a society in which all people can achieve their full potential for health and well-being across their lifespans. ODPHP recognizes Freeman, along with other Healthy People 2030 Champions, as part of a growing network of organizations partnering with ODPHP to improve health and well-being at the local, state and tribal level.

“Because Freeman focuses on meeting the health and wellness needs of those we serve, this partnership is a great fit,” said Kris Drake, Freeman Wellness Coordinator. “As we continually look for new ways to reach and strengthen our community through wellness education and outreach, this program will surely support our efforts.”

Find out more here.

Freeman Among Nation’s Top Hospitals for Heart Attack Patient Care

Freeman Health System is one of only 240 hospitals nationwide to receive the American College of Cardiology NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2022. The award recognizes Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients.

“It’s an impressive accomplishment for our heart care team, and it reflects the dedication, commitment and clinical excellence of our cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, nurses, technicians and support staff,” said Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula F. Baker. “It’s gratifying to see their efforts recognized by the American College of Cardiology.”

Read more here.

The Missing Step in Tuberculosis Screening

Facilities that serve large populations of people – like daycares and nursing homes – have long screened for tuberculosis (TB), a potentially serious bacterial disease that affects the lungs. Most companies use the tuberculin skin test (TST), also called TB skin test or two-step TB test. However, many companies only complete the first of the two-step process.

Commonly, patients and employers do not realize that returning for a second test is required to complete the two-step process, which actually requires a total of four visits to your medical provider:

  • Visit 1: Injection of TB antigen fluid.
  • Visit 2: Return 48 to 72 hours later for the test to be read.
  • Visit 3: Return one to three weeks later to repeat the injection (check for latent TB).
  • Visit 4: Return 48 to 72 hours later for test to be read and finalized.

Alternatively, employers may request a T-SPOT TB test, which is a single visit blood test, drawn by a medical professional, and sent to a lab for analysis.

Patients can walk in to any OccuMed clinic (except Thursdays) for a TB skin test. T-SPOTS can be done Monday to Friday.

Printable Freeman OccuMed Clinic Map Now Available

Helping employees get to their Freeman OccuMed appointment just got easier. The printable Freeman OccuMed clinic map shows contact information and a thumbnail image of each clinic location. A place to write in your employee’s appointment serves as a visual reminder of their scheduled time. Download this form to help reduce late and missed appointments.

Find printable resources here.

As Freeman Celebrates 300 TAVR Procedures, Meet Patient John Tescher In His Own Words

“Before transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR for short, I was really weak. Just walking across the room, I’d have to sit down and take a break.

“I was one of the first people to have TAVR done at Freeman. I was excited about it. I was a little nervous about stepping into the unknown of a new procedure, but I knew that if it worked, it would be beneficial to my daily life.

“I noticed the improvement right away. I’ve regained my energy and my strength. I can do whatever I want to do – I can work on my yard or go shopping with my wife. I feel good.”

Read more of John’s story here.

Five Numbers You need to Know for a Healthy Heart

Quarterly, Your Friends at Freeman debut a poster for employers to post in breakrooms or other high traffic areas. You’re encouraged to share it electronically if that is effective for your employee communication.

This quarter, we’re premiering the Five Numbers You Need to Know for Heart Health poster.

Discover this poster and other printable resources here.

Wellness for Business Series: Part 2, Building Your Employee Wellness Program

During this free session, attendees will be guided through a “crash course” in workplace wellness by the WorkWell Missouri Toolkit. Developed to assist businesses in starting, adding to, or maintaining a wellness program, this is a step-by-step guide for employers to use in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating a workplace wellness program.

Interested individuals can register to participate in-person at the Freeman Business Center, here, or register here to attend virtually.

Caregiver Support Group

The Freeman Caregiver Support Group will meet on Thursday, January 20 at 10:30 am in the Freeman East Conference Rooms.

Join fellow caregivers for this support group meeting to gain advice on what lies ahead, make new friends and learn how to better take care of family members. Door prizes will be given out.

RSVP to Kathy Mason at 417.347.8463 or kdmason@freemanhealth.com. To see the full list of upcoming events offered by Freeman, click here.

Want to Stay in the Loop?

Subscribe to Freeman in a Flash and the newsletter will be shared with you each month via email. Sign up today!

/by

Apply Now for the Missouri Work Well Award

The Missouri Council for Activity and Nutrition (MOCAN) Worksite Workgroup are accepting applications for the Missouri Work Well Award.

The University of Missouri (MU) Extension, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), launched this program to recognize employers who create a working environment that supports healthy behaviors.

Employers are recognized based on criteria for their level of support in four levels: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Platinum.

Applications are now being accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed by the MU Extension and MOCAN. To receive recognition and the award at the July MOCAN meeting, please submit your completed application by June 1. See the full flyer here.

/by

Freeman in a Flash for May 2022

Learn about what’s new in local healthcare with Freeman Health System’s newsletter, Freeman in a Flash. Read about the new specialty clinic in Pittsburg, workplace wellness training, and much more below.

Freeman Celebrates 100th Robotic Bronchoscopy

Last summer, Freeman brought the MONARCH® robotic bronchoscopy procedure to Joplin, giving our community access to a transformative robotic technology that enables physicians to find lung cancer in its earliest stages. Less than one year later, Freeman has performed 100 procedures with MONARCH and changed dozens of local lives along the way.

Finding lung cancer early dramatically increases survival rates. Freeman patient John Turley and his wife Loretta praise MONARCH and Freeman pulmonologist Dr. Grant Pierson for finding Turley’s lung cancer at stage one.

“He’s had all five radiation treatments required to get rid of the cancer and had no side effects,” said Loretta Turley. “It was wonderful that they found it at stage one because he didn’t have any symptoms. We feel very fortunate that they found it that soon. Now, he will have more time to live.”

Read more about the Turleys’ story here.

OccuMed Medical Director Named to AOCOPM Board of Directors

Join us as we congratulate Freeman OccuMed Medical Director Dr. Dennis Estep for being named as a trustee to the board of directors for the American Osteopathic College of Occupational and Preventive Medicine (AOCOPM). The organization aims to improve public health through the practice of preventive medicine.

In this role, Dr. Estep will assist the organization with building strong residency relationships for graduating physicians and shape continuing education programs for current providers.

Familiar Faces in New Roles at Freeman OccuMed

Freeman OccuMed is pleased to share the following staffing updates:

  • Raenna Diaz, LPN, assumed the role of onsite coordinator. She has seven years of experience at Freeman Health System and most recently worked as a technician in Neosho and Joplin OccuMed. Contact Raenna to schedule services onsite at your company.
  • Linda Sitton, FNP-BC, returned to Freeman OccuMed as a staff nurse practitioner. Sitton most recently served in Freeman COVID-19 drive-through testing and is the former operations director at Freeman OccuMed. She has more than 25 years of combined experience at Freeman Health System.

Freeman Expands Specialty Services in Pittsburg

Freeman is proud to open Freeman Specialty Clinic of Pittsburg, offering a growing number of health services to enable patients to get care closer to home.

“We understand that traveling to Joplin for medical appointments can sometimes be difficult or burdensome—that’s why we continue to extend our range of services in this community,” said Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker. “Our caregivers always put patients first, providing the compassionate, expert care you’ve come to expect from Freeman.”

Freeman Specialty Clinic of Pittsburg offers nephrology, pulmonology and endocrinology services at one convenient location. Even better, pain management services will be added in June and more services will be coming soon. Referrals are required.

Learn more here.

Award Applications Open for Worksites Promoting Wellness

Applications are now being taken through June 1 for the 2022 Missouri Worksite Wellness Award. These awards recognize employers that invest in creating an environment that supports healthy behaviors.

Organizations that receive the award will be recognized during the quarterly MOCAN conference on Thursday, July 21.

Read more here.

Wellness for Business Series: Part Two, Building Your Employee Wellness Program

During this FREE session, attendees will be guided through a “crash course” in workplace wellness guided by the WorkWell Missouri Toolkit. Developed to assist businesses in starting, adding to or maintaining a wellness program, this is a step-by-step guide for employers to use in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating a workplace wellness program.

There are options to attend the event in person and virtually.

Work@Health Training for Missouri Employers

Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Work@Health training enhances employer knowledge of tools for the planning, implementation and evaluation of workplace health interventions. The curriculum provides employers with the skills to create a worksite wellness program using strategies to address chronic health conditions.

Cost is $25 per participant. Learn more and register here.

#WalkJoplin

Healthy Joplin, a combined effort of One Joplin and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, is working on a group walking initiative in the community. If you or your organization is interested in hosting a walking group (it’s easy, we promise), you’ll find information about how to participate on the Walking Leaders Facebook group.

The pinned post is a video PSA about the health benefits of walking in groups. Check it out — you might recognize someone it in!

Caregiver Support Group

The Freeman Caregiver Support Group will meet on Thursday, January 20 at 10:30 am in the Freeman East Conference Rooms.

Join fellow caregivers for this support group meeting to gain advice on what lies ahead, make new friends and learn how to better take care of family members. Door prizes will be given out.

RSVP to Kathy Mason at 417.347.8463 or kdmason@freemanhealth.com. To see the full list of upcoming events offered by Freeman, click here.

Want to Stay in the Loop?

Subscribe to Freeman in a Flash and the newsletter will be shared with you each month via email. Sign up today!

/by

Freeman in a Flash for April 2022

Learn about what’s new in local healthcare with Freeman Health System’s newsletter, Freeman in a Flash. Learn about two new primary care physicians, drug screening upgrades, and much more below. 

Two New Primary Care Physicians Meeting Community Needs in Joplin and Anderson

Freeman Health System welcomes Justin Dillingham, DO, and Namrata Susarla, MD, who help fill a void in the number of primary care doctors in our community.

Meet Dr. Justin Dillingham

510 Park Street, Anderson, MO

A family medicine doctor, Dr. Dillingham attended medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed his residency at Genesys Family Medicine Residency in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

One medical issue close to his heart is obesity, and he shares his own lifelong struggle with weight with patients.

“There is a stigma around it,” said Dr. Dillingham. “My own personal struggle gives me insight. I noticed when patients see my old pictures before I lost more than 100 pounds, they’re like, ‘This guy gets it and what he’s telling me might actually work.’ So, if a patient wants help to lose weight and get healthy, I will spend all the time in the world to help them.”

To make an appointment with Dr. Dillingham, call 417.845.0545.

Meet Dr. Namrata Susarla

702 East 34th Street, Joplin

Dr. Susarla comes from a family of physicians and said she was inspired by her mother, who has a family care practice in India. Dr. Susarla completed her training at Freeman Internal Medicine Residency Program, and she is married to Dr. Rama Challapalli Sri, a Freeman nephrologist.

Dr. Susarla said empathy is her strong point and that “Shared-decision making is the key to build a good relationship in a clinical encounter.”

“I like to win my patients’ confidence by first listening to them and then having conversation about the best available options to maintain their health,” said Dr. Susarla. “In this way patients can explore their preferences while making health-based decisions.”

Dr. Susarla treats adults ages 18 and up. Call 417.347.2526 to schedule an appointment.

Express Drug Screen Receives Upgrade to Test for Methamphetamine

Effective April 4 at Freeman OccuMed, the non-federal express five-panel urine drug screen will be automatically upgraded to a non-federal express six-panel drug screen, which includes methamphetamine in the screening. Companies using this test may see an increase in positivity rates with the addition of the new drug detection. No other drug tests are affected.

Freeman Presents Major Donation to One Joplin

Freeman Health System is proud to extend $225,000 in financial support for One Joplin as it addresses access to healthcare in 2022.

“Freeman’s mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve through contemporary, innovative quality healthcare solutions,” said Paula Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer, “and One Joplin will enhance our efforts to do just that.”

Freeman is pledging three yearly installments of $75,000 to One Joplin as it works to meet critical community needs, such as health and wellness, opioid education, smoking cessation, domestic violence response, homelessness prevention and many other endeavors that directly intersect with the services Freeman provides to the community.

Allergy Presentation from Dr. Nathan Box

Did you miss our virtual Business Appreciation Event? We’ve got you covered!

Watch the recording from Dr. Nathan Box, Freeman Ear, Nose and Throat physician, to learn more about allergies – the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the US. More than 50 million Americans experience various types of allergies each year, your employees among them. In his presentation, Dr. Box shared strategies available to patients through Freeman Allergy Clinic.

You can watch the full presentation here.

Freeman 5K and Walk for Autism

Join us for the annual Freeman 5K and Walk for Autism! Superhero costumes encouraged. All proceeds benefit program development and scholarship assistance at Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism.

This event will take place on Saturday, April 24 at 8:00 am at the Center for Autism. Sign up here.

Wellness for Business Series: Part 1

Discover how the WorkWell Missouri Initiative encourages employers to create environmental changes and worksite policies that make it easy for employees to initiate and follow through with voluntary health behavior changes.

During this free presentation on April 27, Freeman representatives will discuss:

  • Why you should establish a worksite wellness program in your organization.
  • How worksite wellness programs benefit both the employee and employer.
  • The importance of having senior leadership support and an active wellness committee to drive your program.
  • Why it’s important to utilize evidence-based wellness resources at the local, state and national level.
  • How to create a wellness plan starting with the CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard.

Interested individuals can register to participate in-person at the Freeman Business Center, here, or register here to attend virtually.

Work@Health Training for Missouri Employers

Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Work@Health training enhances employer knowledge of tools for the planning, implementation and evaluation of workplace health interventions. The curriculum provides employers with the skills to create a worksite wellness program using strategies to address chronic health conditions.

Cost is $25 per participant. Learn more and register here.

#WalkJoplin

Healthy Joplin, a combined effort of One Joplin and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, is working on a group walking initiative in the community. If you or your organization is interested in hosting a walking group (it’s easy, we promise), you’ll find information about how to participate on the Walking Leaders Facebook group.

The pinned post is a video PSA about the health benefits of walking in groups. Check it out — you might recognize someone it in!

Caregiver Support Group

The Freeman Caregiver Support Group will meet on Thursday, January 20 at 10:30 am in the Freeman East Conference Rooms.

Join fellow caregivers for this support group meeting to gain advice on what lies ahead, make new friends and learn how to better take care of family members. Door prizes will be given out.

RSVP to Kathy Mason at 417.347.8463 or kdmason@freemanhealth.com. To see the full list of upcoming events offered by Freeman, click here.

Want to Stay in the Loop?

Subscribe to Freeman in a Flash and the newsletter will be shared with you each month via email. Sign up today!

/by

Ozark Center Hosts “Why Can’t You Just Quit?” Discussion

JOPLIN, Mo. – “Why can’t you just quit?” This question is routinely asked in families where a person struggles with some form of addiction. Ozark Center, an entity of Freeman Health System, now offers Innovative Solutions, an interactive presentation for anyone who wants to better understand the struggle of addiction and other behavioral issues.

“Ozark Center provides a myriad of services with highly trained professionals in all aspects of behavioral healthcare for our community, and we want to provide a monthly opportunity to share information about our available services through Innovative Solutions,” said Ozark Center Chief Clinical Officer Del Camp. “Despite the comprehensive nature and size of our organization, recovery and support for those experiencing mental health challenges truly lies within our community.”

This new monthly series empowers our community to support those we know who live with mental health or substance use issues. The March topic is “Why Can’t You Just Quit?”: Understanding Addition for Those Who Are Not Addicted.

“The purpose of the series is to equip the community with the tools necessary to support their friends, families and coworkers who are in recovery,” said Ozark Center New Directions Clinical Director Spence Ellis. “We also want to be sure to allow for questions during these interactive presentations. Our first event titled ‘Why Can’t You Just Quit’ speaks to the families whose loved ones continue addictive behavior choices despite negative consequences. In addition, it will also offer practical options for family members struggling with how to help them. We’ll also discuss some issues around opioid use disorder and provide some education for how to intervene in the event of an overdose.”

The event is facilitated by trained addiction professionals at New Directions. Discussions are suitable for those 18 and over, and it is ideal for families impacted by addiction. This month’s Innovative Solutions session will take place from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm on Thursday, March 24, at Ozark Center Hope Spring at 3901 E. 32nd Street. The ongoing series of sessions will give the community more opportunities to discuss mental health and substance use issues.

“No organization is large enough to adequately support the full range of needs of those recovering from addiction or mental health disorders,” said Camp. “Innovative Solutions aims to provide information about topics including addiction, suicide prevention, overdose response, eating disorders, older adults, autism, veterans and parenting.”

Future Innovative Solutions sessions are scheduled addressing the following topics:

Veterans – May 2022 at Hope Spring
Eating Disorders – June 2022 at Hope Spring
Parenting – July 2022 at Will’s Place
Older Adults – August 2022 at Hope Spring
Addiction – September 2022 at Hope Spring
Autism – October 2022 at Leffen Center
Veterans – November 2022 at Hope Spring
Eating Disorders – December 2022 at Hope Spring
Parenting – January 2023 at Will’s Place
Older Adults – February 2023 at Hope Spring

Dates are to be determined but listing updates can be found at freemanhealth.com/events.

####

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. In 2022, 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 named Freeman Health System the Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri for 2021. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart 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.

About Ozark Center

Ozark Center is based in Joplin, Missouri and has been an entity of Freeman Health System since 1996. It has been providing comprehensive behavioral health services to children, adults, and families since 1965 in an area that includes more than 450,000 residents from the Four States. Ozark Center continually looks for innovative ways to address the behavioral health needs o

/by

Eating Disorders Week 2022: See the Change, Be the Change

(Joplin, MO) – “Everyone knows someone with an eating disorder, whether you realize it or not,” said Dr. Jenny Copeland, licensed psychologist and director of Reconnect Eating Disorders Clinic at Ozark Center Hope Spring.

During National Eating Disorders Week, Reconnect team members spoke out against the stereotypes to widen the lens, make the public aware of all the unique presentations of eating disorders and that each and every person with an eating disorder deserves help.

“Often, by no fault of our own, we may be oblivious to those suffering from eating disorders around us,” said Dr. Copeland. “For them it is a lonely existence, one dominated by the eating disorder and all the difficult thoughts, emotions and actions that come along with it. But it doesn’t have to be that way.”

This year’s theme for National Eating Disorder’s Week is See the Change, Be the Change.

“Each and every one of us can make a powerful difference for those who struggle with eating disorders,” said Dr. Copeland. “Whether this is calling out body shaming and weight stigma, reminding a loved one that their body size does not determine whether they deserve help or taking your own first step on the recovery journey.”

Reconnect utilizes a team approach to help females and males of all ages and sizes who have eating disorders. With effective treatment, 60% of those with eating disorders reach full recovery.

“At Reconnect, we make use of creative tools that research has shown to really work,” said Samantha White, license professional counselor. “One of these is our exposure therapy group. At its heart, our exposure work is about slowly sitting with difficult things – whether that is foods that someone might be fearful of, food rules that need to be broken, figuring out how to look at yourself in a mirror, or facing your fears. This work is truly the path to freedom.”

Finding recovery is not about having the fanciest tools or the best therapist. Reconnect Coaches offer a helping hand in some of a patient’s most difficult moments.

“Those moments may not be what a lot of us would expect,” said White. “They might be making a grocery list or even going to the grocery store, putting what they are learning into practice every day, or even taking a walk without their eating disorder getting in the way. Our coaches bring caring and support without the pressure that can come with an office setting. They walk side by side with our clients in their everyday lives, and that can make all the difference.”

The Ozark Center Reconnect Eating Disorders program includes a psychologist or therapist, registered dietician, psychiatric provider, primary care physician, medical support and Reconnect coach and the patient.

About Ozark Center

Ozark Center is based in Joplin, Missouri and has been an entity of Freeman Health System since 1996. It has been providing comprehensive behavioral health services to children, adults, and families since 1965 in an area that includes more than 450,000 residents from the Four States. Ozark Center continually looks for innovative ways to address the behavioral health needs of the community and promote awareness of behavioral health issues in an effort to eliminate the discrimination associated with it. For more information, visit ozarkcenter.com or call 417.347.7600.

/by