Healthcare Heroes

Ortho Four States offers world-class orthopedic, spine, and sports medicine care just minutes from downtown Joplin. Their comprehensive facility provides everything from non-surgical treatments to complex surgeries, physical therapy, aquatic rehab, and pain management. With a patient-first approach, their expert team creates personalized care plans to restore quality of life and ease pain for every patient.

Dr. Debi Capshaw, nurse practitioner at Joplin Health and Rehabilitation Center, focuses on preventing hospital visits by providing advanced care onsite. With a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, she applies her research on reducing hospital readmissions to help residents recover comfortably. Her diverse background in physical therapy and nursing makes her passionate about guiding patients back home.

Dr. Philip Slocum, at the Freeman Lung Institute, believes great physicians are great listeners who combine patient stories with science to diagnose and treat lung diseases. With a distinguished career in critical care and medical education, he now helps develop pulmonary care and fellowship programs at Freeman. He praises Freeman’s supportive environment and dedicated staff as the best he’s experienced in over four decades.

Dr. Uwe Schmidt is an infectious disease specialist known for diagnosing and treating rare and serious infections, including those linked to the 2011 Joplin tornado. Originally from Germany, he has a rich career spanning outbreaks like Legionnaire’s Disease, West Nile Virus, and HIV/AIDS. At Freeman since 2009, Dr. Schmidt combines deep expertise with compassionate care to help patients through challenging illnesses.

Dr. Frank S. Kim is a cardiologist and interventionalist at Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute, dedicated to preventing and treating heart disease. He values practicing locally and takes great joy in helping patients recover from serious cardiac events. Outside of work, he enjoys music and spending time with his family.

Dr. Matthew Grounds, director of emergency medicine and trauma services at Freeman, embraces the variety and fast pace of emergency care. He values building personal connections with patients, treating them like family. Despite the urgency of his work, he finds reward in saving lives and delivering patient-centered care.

Dr. Karen L. Porte, M.D., uses Breast Cancer Awareness Month to bust common myths, including the dangers of estrogen therapy post-hysterectomy and misconceptions about genetic risks. She explains that fat cells continue to produce estrogen, which can fuel hidden cancer cells, and highlights that breast cancer isn’t limited to BRCA1/2 mutations. Additionally, she stresses that women with dense breast tissue may need advanced imaging beyond standard mammograms for accurate detection.

Oncology Hematology Associates (OHA) provides expert, patient-centered cancer care in Springfield and Monett, offering individualized treatment plans, in-clinic infusions, and access to clinical trials. Their expansion to Monett brings advanced care closer to home for more patients. As one of only 10 nationally recognized Oncology Medical Homes, OHA remains committed to compassionate, cutting-edge treatment.

Mercy Clinic Family Medicine in Joplin offers comprehensive care for patients of all ages, from newborns to grandparents. Dr. Amanda Andrade emphasizes preserving wellness through managing chronic conditions and acute visits. With multiple locations and convenient online scheduling, Mercy provides personalized, patient-centered care across the community.