The Freeman Clinic is, well… A clinic! By definition, a clinic is a place where medical care is provided in an outpatient setting. Our goal is to provide the best quality, most comprehensive care at the lowest possible cost. Hospitals are very expensive, and our goal is to provide your care in an outpatient setting if at all possible. Our office is open Monday-Friday from 8:00am – 4:00pm.
The Practice
Philosophy into Action
In order to deliver the highest quality medical care to the largest number of people, we fully and proudly utilize physician extenders.
Our nurse practitioner(s) are highly trained with years of experience. We have worked closely together, and I truly believe that when you are seen by one of my NPs you are receiving the same care as if you were seeing me directly. I review every office visit noted (usually within 24 hours) and may make modifications to the treatment plan. This enables me to focus on the procedural and technical aspects of your care.
By operating in this manner, we can reduce the waiting period for you to be evaluated in the office. This also optimizes the time that we spend together since my nurse practitioners will have requested and organized any prior tests, labs, X-rays, or previous office visits that have occurred prior to your evaluation by us.
What This Practice Is:
- Small
- Personal
- Comprehensive
- Technologically advanced
- Inclusive. All reasonable insurance coverages will be accepted. Folks without insurance will be seen on a reasonable payment basis.
- High quality/high value. We will never compromise quality for price. Today, good value in medical service is very important. Ford’s Model T was not only cheaper, it was better quality than its predecessor.
Our Staff
Mike Freeman, M.D.
Dr. Michael Freeman, MD is a gastroenterology specialist in Cape Girardeau, MO and has been practicing for 41 years. He graduated from the University Of Tennessee Health Science Center College Of Medicine in 1977 and continued his internship and residency there.
Mike is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Freeman enjoys the personal care he’s able to provide through The Freeman Clinic. He treats most gastro-related diseases and specializes in gastroenterology and internal medicine.
Dr. Freeman resides in Cape Girardeau with his wife, Jodi.
Debby Schlick was born and raised in Cape Girardeau and educated at Southeast Missouri University. Her primary and secondary education at Southeast’s nursing school.
Debby has worked in nursing for over 36 years, with the last 16 years spent as a family nurse practitioner with a focus in gastroenterology.
Debby’s favorite part of her job is talking with patients and their families, to better know and understand them. Debby strives to improve their quality of life though compassion, education and always being a patient advocate. Debby loves her job!
Jodi Freeman is the Director of Operations for The Freeman Clinic in Cape Girardeau, MO. She is responsible for day to day clinic operations and patient satisfaction. The Freeman Clinic is an independent, high volume, gastroenterology clinic of Dr. Michael Freeman.
Jodi Freeman, along with a well-trained, successful staff with years of experience, provides an environment for healing. Dr. Freeman has a team of highly qualified Nurse Practitioners and nurses caring for patients requiring specialized care.
Jodi was raised in the Atlanta area and has been a resident of Missouri for the past ten years. She is the wife of Dr. Freeman, and together, they have eight children.
Michele Tanz, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Nursing for Southeast Missouri State University, has been practicing in gastroenterology for the past eight years.
Michele obtained her BSN (2006) and MSN (2010) from Southeast Missouri State University and her Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Vanderbilt University in 2014.
As a faculty member, Michele teaches the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) curriculum and is Director of the FNP Program. While teaching is her full-time position, Michele is dedicated to maintaining her clinical practice and has always had a love for gastroenterology. She shares, “Working in gastroenterology, I can really make a difference and improve the quality of patients’ lives.”
Michele treats patients of all ages and is thrilled to be working alongside such wonderful colleagues at The Freeman Clinic.
Patty Hutson is a lifelong resident of Jackson, MO. She graduated from Jackson High School in 1982 and attended Metro Business College. She graduated and went to work for Dr. Jaeger until his retirement in 1987, when she went to work for Dr. Mike Freeman.
Patty enjoys working in gastroenterology, and has learned a lot in her 30-plus years with Dr. Freeman.
“While having the pleasure of starting out in a small private practice with Dr. Freeman and then moving to a larger facility, it has by far been the best decision to come back to a small private practice again,” she said, “where patients are the priority.”
Patty has worked with Dr. Freeman in the GI Lab assisting with procedures, as well as helping in the office.
Patty and her husband, John, live in Scopus, MO. She is the mother of two daughters, one step-son and two beautiful grandchildren.
Lori Navetta Whistler grew up in St. Louis and graduated with a degree in Political Science from Mizzou in 1991. She then went to work for Senator Danforth on Capitol Hill until 1994.
After taking time off to be a Mom, she began working in 2002 for Dr. Stephen Whistler. Initially, this was supposed to be a temporary position, but Lori discovered her love of the medical field during that time. She continued as Dr. Whistler’s Medical Assistant until his office closed in 2011. She also worked for Doctor’s Express before joining Dr. Freeman in 2012.
She happily followed Dr. Freeman to the Freeman Clinic in August 2018.
“Being involved in the development of The Freeman Clinic is definitely a major highlight in my career. Dr. Freeman is the best gastroenterologist around and deeply and truly cares about his patients, which is how it should be.”
Lori currently resides in Chaffee with her husband, Jim, and their three children. She is very active in her community and has been a member of the Chaffee School Board since 2013. She is a very avid sports fan and a huge follower of her hometown Cardinals and Blues. In her free time, she loves to shop and attend her kids’ sporting events.