Freeman Health System has officially broken ground on its new full-service hospital in Frontenac, Kansas. The $168 million facility, named Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital, will be a 50-bed, 170,000-square-foot hospital designed to expand healthcare access in the region.

The hospital, located along Highway 69, will be constructed in three phases over the next 24 to 34 months. The first phase involves site development, utilities, and roadway improvements. The second phase will focus on building a two-story ambulatory surgery center, with the top floor designated for medical and physician offices. The final phase will be the construction of the main hospital facility.

Once completed, the hospital will offer a range of services, including emergency care, cardiac care with a catheterization lab, an ICU, maternity and pediatric care, surgical services — including robotic procedures — oncology, pulmonary care, and radiology.
"Today we mark a historical first for Freeman Health System and the entire region," said president and CEO Paula Baker, at the groundbreaking ceremony. "We’re honored and grateful for this opportunity to improve healthcare in Southeast Kansas and beyond."

Freeman Health System is collaborating with Frontenac city engineers to upgrade water and sewer infrastructure to support the hospital and future community development. Additionally, the health system is working with the Kansas Department of Transportation to assess and manage traffic flow around the site.

The project is expected to generate between 500 and 1,000 jobs in the region. Freeman, already the area's largest employer, currently operates primary and specialty care clinics, an outpatient surgery center, and a medical oncology program in Southeast Kansas. The health system is also set to open a 24/7 emergency department and a 10-bed acute care hospital in Fort Scott later this year.

“This is truly a dream come true for Freeman Health System,” Baker said.

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