JOPLIN, Mo. – The Freeman Health System Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Tom Keller as Freeman’s new President and Chief Executive Officer following an extensive nationwide search.

Keller, President and CEO of the West Plains, Missouri-based Ozarks Healthcare, will assume the position at Freeman effective December 1, 2024, according to Lance Beshore, Freeman Health System Board of Directors Chairman.

Keller succeeds Paula Baker, who has served as Freeman’s President and CEO for the past 13 years. She announced her retirement in early 2024. Beshore said Keller will work closely with Baker during the transition phase.

“I am excited about the appointment of Tom Keller to the role of President/CEO of Freeman Health System,” Baker said. “I am confident Mr. Keller will continue to build on Freeman’s success. I look forward to working with him during the transition period.”

Keller has served with Ozarks Healthcare since 2014. Before joining Ozarks Healthcare, Keller served as Chief Operating Officer at St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital in Oklahoma and as CEO of West Valley Hospital and Phoenix Memorial Hospital in the Phoenix, Arizona area. He also served as Chief Operating Officer at Northeast Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Keller earned both a bachelor’s degree in finance and master’s degree in health administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Keller, who is married with three college-aged children, has also served on several healthcare-focused boards and committees across the state during his tenure at Ozarks Healthcare, including the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, Missouri Hospital Association Board of Trustees and Healthcare Services Group. In addition, Keller has served on numerous civic and community boards in West Plains throughout his career.