Freeman Health celebrates 30 years of heart care innovation

JOPLIN, Mo. — 2024 marks a special anniversary for Freeman Health System.

In 1994, the first cardiac catheterization procedure was performed by Freeman cardiologists. Dr. John Cox and cardiovascular technologist Elizabeth Baum were there at the beginning. Both spent some time with us today at the Heart and Vascular Institute.

The procedure is a test for specific issues, such as heart or blood vessel problems, clogged arteries, or irregular heartbeats, by guiding a hollow tube through a blood vessel to the heart.

"The program has been an innovator in this region of all kinds of new procedures. We've been the first to do lots of things. We went from a mobile lab to now four very busy cath labs. When we expand the heart institute—there are plans on the books—we'll have six. We have blueprints for expansion; we just haven't turned the shovel yet," said Dr. John Cox, Freeman Health System cardiologist.

"We started with four people. Now, we're up to about 18 to 20, not including the cardiologists. We do multiple different procedures. Back then, it was one procedure—diagnostic. Now we do interventions. We work on a lot of different parts of the body, not just the heart," said Elizabeth Baum, Freeman Health System cardiovascular tech.

One hundred cases were performed in the first year. This last year, they completed 4,300. Back then, it took them all day to do five cases. Now, five cases can be done in about two hours.