Dr. Charles Bentlage, Medical and Dental Director

 

Dr. Bentlage has served as Medical Director for ACCESS since August of 2007. Previously, he has served as the Medical Director and Corporate Compliance Officer for Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. He was a general surgeon in Joplin for 27 years and continues to serve the community through his many affiliations which include:

  • United Way
  • Past-President, Board of Directors of Community Clinic of Joplin
  • Co-founder and volunteer of the Community Clinic of Joplin
  • Community Blood Center of the Ozarks
  • American College of Physician Executives
  • American Medical Association
  • Missouri State Medical Association
  • Jasper County Medical Society
  • American College of Surgeons
  • Southwest Missouri Chapter of American College of Surgeons

 Dr. Bentlage has been recognized for his many hours of volunteer work in the community with many recognitions including:

  • Named by the Missouri Legislature as Outstanding Missouri Citizen in 2008
  • United Way Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006
  • Dale Carnegie Highest Achievement Award in 1999
  • March of Dimes Citizen of the Year in 1998
  • Dedication of the C.H. Bentlage Medical Building in his honor in 1996
  • Recipient of the Freeman Health System Quality in Medicine Award in 1995
  • Awarded the Key to the City of Joplin, MO by the Joplin City Council in 1995

 Dr. Bentlage exemplifies by word and deed the leadership style of servant-leader adopted by ACCESS Family Care. He goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the clinical team remains patient-focused in their service to patients.

 Dr. Bentlage is all about creating and extending access to affordable health care as he often says, “Unlimited access” is where we need to be. He takes to heart the mission of ACCESS Family Care to serve the underserved by working hard to limit clinical barriers and inefficiencies that impede access to quality care regardless of the ability to pay.

 Dr. Bentlage has helped form the ideal ACCESS employee model and works hard to identify and select provider staff to fit that model. He serves staff in making sure they have the tools and training they need to see patients through high standard quality measures with an emphasis on creating access.