A local healthcare provider has changed ownership, as Free Market Physician is now operating out of the former Roark Family Health facility.
Free Market Physician Founder and CEO Dr. Joseph Sheppard, D.O., was building up his first direct primary care membership clinic in Neosho over a decade ago when he encouraged a colleague, Dr. Lisa Roark, to do the same in Cassville.
The two have remained friends since and have continued to prove the overwhelming benefits of direct primary care, a press release said.
When Dr. Roark decided it was time to retire to put her own health and her family first, she was relieved to know Dr. Sheppard was going to acquire the clinic, continuing the very best care for all her patients, the release said. Dr. Sheppard has also been friends with another direct primary care physician team in Mount Vernon, Dr. Lyman Worstrel and Dr. Lauren Wostrel. Lauren Wostrel has done women wellness exams for Neosho and Joplin FMP patients for a handful of years. She and her husband, Lyman, opened Zion Asher Family Physicians in Mount Vernon and were considering opening another clinic south of theirs.
Dr. Sheppard discussed the opportunity and it became the perfect fit, the press release said.
Lyman Wostrel has been serving Cassville for the last few months. Lauren Wostrel also provides well woman exams for Cassville as well. They have a young daughter and two little boys who keep busy on their farm.
The rest of the staff is unchanged. Amy Moore, a familiar face over the last three years, is serving as the office administrator.
“So, if you don’t see her smile up front, she might be in her new office further back,” the press release said. “Monique Ray, who joined last spring, is loving it here. She enjoys taking care of patients, and is ambitious to continue her education to better serve the area.
“Becky Long, who joined this last summer, started her career as a lab tech in the Navy, gaining a wide variety of medical experience and working for Community Blood Center for the last 18 years — she is a pro at lab draws.”
With the same Cassville team in place, FMP is ready to accept new patients and Dr. Wostrel is offering a free 30-minute consultation for those wanting to learn more.
