Freeman adds new full-time Family Practice Physician in McDonald County

JOPLIN, Mo. – Freeman Health System is bringing a full-time family practice physician to the Freeman Clinic of Anderson to meet the needs of the entire community.

“We know it’s very inconvenient traveling outside of your hometown to see a physician,” said Renee Denton, Freeman Neosho Hospital Chief Operating Officer. “We’re very excited to have Dr. Justin Dillingham, a Family Practice Physician at Freeman Clinic of Anderson to serve larger volumes of patients and care for the entire family from birth to end of life.”

Dillingham, who grew up in Haskell, Oklahoma, said joining the Freeman Clinic of Anderson, Missouri, is a perfect fit for him.

“I’m a small-town person,” said Dillingham. “So, it is like getting back to my roots. It is a perfect spot for me to help people get as healthy as they can be.”

“Anderson is a growing community,” said Gary Wasson, Anderson resident. “With McDonald County High School located here, Anderson is like the hub of a 23,000-person community. We are 20 – 25 minutes from a hospital, so having a full-time physician for more complex issues is a big benefit.”

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.

He is certified by the Family Medicine Board and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Board. In medical school, he found family medicine to be the perfect niche.

“There is a stigma around it,” said Dillingham who successfully dropped over 100 lbs. “My own personal struggle gives me insight. If a patient wants help to lose weight and get healthy, I will spend all the time in the world to help them.”

Dillingham and his wife, Julie., live in Joplin with their three sons who are ages eight, six and three.