How one expectant mom found strength and support through Boone Health’s Fit for Delivery class. As a nurse, Haley Chastain was particularly attuned to the changes happening in her body throughout her first pregnancy. She and her husband, Adam, were overjoyed to learn they were expecting. Given Haley’s previous diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS),…

Ashley Strope Freer and her husband Matthew welcomed their son Cooper into the world on April 17, 2024. When Ashley was around 14 weeks pregnant, she began experiencing the common symptoms many pregnant women face. She was struggling with bladder leakage when she sneezed, and she wanted to do all she could to experience a…

As the weather warms up, engaging in outdoor activities can significantly benefit both personal well-being and community connection. Here are some ideas for you, your family, and friends. Spending time outdoors boosts exposure to sunlight, which supports vitamin D production. It also helps reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, lowers stress levels, and enhances mental…

It’s quite an honor to have a Boone baby, and Brandy Templeton’s had three. Brandy started working in the Maternal Child Health department as a new nurse graduate 18 years ago and worked her way up to supervisor. “I came here, found my love and my passion and never left,” Brandy said. By chance, Brandy…

On Christmas Eve 1921, a touring car braved sharp winds, below-freezing temperatures, and a steep gravel road, slick with snow, to carry a married couple to the newly opened Boone County Hospital, where their family doctor awaited them. Two weeks after its grand opening, the hospital was still under construction; one end of the delivery…

Every new parent has questions about how they can best care for their baby. While each family is different, parents often share the same questions and concerns. Having realistic expectations for you and your baby will help you feel more confident whenever caring for an infant presents challenges – and let you enjoy time with…

Neonatology, Boone Hospital NICU I grew up in Southern California. I moved to Missouri for medical school and then completed my residency in pediatrics and fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Why did you get into the health care field? When I went to college, I was undecided what I wanted to do…

Labor and Delivery I grew up on a small cattle farm in Tipton, Mo., home of the Cardinals, the 5 & 50 Drive-In and the eightball water tower. My summers included giving swim lessons, lifeguarding and sports. After high school, I worked for a local dentist, then an oral surgeon who I assisted in surgeries…

Pregnancy is an exciting and challenging time for the body. Exercise is not only safe during pregnancy, but can help support a healthier, pain-free journey! Generally, it is safe to perform the same level of exercise you were performing prior to pregnancy. Exercising for a total of 150 minutes over at least 3 days reduces…

Boone Health is inviting the mid-Missouri community to come together and shape the future of local healthcare. On Thursday, May 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Boone Health and partnering organizations will host a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Town Hall—an important public event aimed at identifying and prioritizing the most pressing health needs…