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    Richard Freeman, MD

    Executive Vice President & Chief Physician Executive
    Wellstar Health System

    Richard Freeman, MD is a noted physician executive with experience at the national, regional/market, facility, and service line levels. He has also distinguished himself as a professor of surgery, researcher, and educator with national specialty leadership experience and previous National Cancer Institute research funding.

    Dr. Freeman is currently Executive Vice President & Chief Physician Executive of Wellstar Health System. In this role he oversees the system's Physician Enterprise which includes a large medical group, clinical service line operations, graduate medical education, research, an extensive clinically integrated network, ensuring patients receive the highest standard of medical care. Prior to joining Wellstar, Dr. Freeman was the Regional Chief Clinical Officer for Loyola University Health System, providing oversight for Loyola's clinically integrated network and medical group, quality and safety, clinical services, medical staff recruitment, research and graduate medical education. Earlier Dr. Freeman served as System Chief Medical Officer for St Vincent/Ascension Indiana, responsible for a systemwide focus on clinical excellence. Dr. Freeman has held several other leadership positions, including CMO for St. Vincent Indianapolis, Medical Director of Cancer Services, Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery, Regional Medical Director for the St. Vincent Medical Group and Chair of the Oncology Affinity Group for Ascension Health. He has an exceptional track record of improving care while supporting clinicians and staff.



    Dr. Freeman's clinical interests include minimally invasive robotic surgery and the multidisciplinary care of thoracic malignancies. He has written many book chapters and scientific articles about thoracic surgery. He is a regular lecturer at national and international conferences and has been named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top cardiothoracic surgeons in the United States.



    Dr. Freeman earned his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed residencies in general surgery and thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. He also earned an MBA from the University of Texas. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Dr. Freeman has served in a variety of physician roles, including several overseas deployments.

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