Grand Marshals of Joplin Christmas Parade Announced

JOPLIN, Mo. – Freeman Health System is pleased to announce Kim Knight and Nancy Langley will serve as Grand Marshals of the 45th Annual Joplin Christmas Parade. Knight and Langley are the great-granddaughters of Freeman founder John W. Freeman. In 1925, Freeman Hospital opened its doors with a staff of 19 nurses and five physicians and surgeons. In the 90 years since, Freeman has grown to become a three-hospital health system and the largest employer in southwestern Missouri. 

After a procession of emergency medical services vehicles, Knight and Langley will lead the Joplin Christmas Parade, followed by additional John W. Freeman family members and more than 100 parade entrants. The theme of this year’s parade is “The Music and Miracles of Christmas.” The parade will take place 6:00 pm Tuesday, December 1. The parade route starts at 15th and Main Streets and runs north to Third St. 

Additionally, area children will have the chance to meet the big man in red. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is hosting a Santa Meet-and-Greet 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm and 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm Monday, November 30. The event will be held inside Fellowship Hall of Central Christian Center, 410 S. Virginia Ave. (use Main Street entrance). The cost is $5 per child and includes a picture with Santa and a special cookie and ornament to decorate. To purchase tickets for the 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm session, log on to tiny.cc/joplinsanta1. To purchase tickets for the 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm session, log on to tiny.cc/joplinsanta2. Tickets are also available at the door until sold out. All proceeds from the Joplin Christmas Parade and Santa Meet-and-Greet benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. For more information, call 417.347.4624.

Freeman Health System – Celebrating 90 Years
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2015, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report ranked Freeman one of the top Hospitals in Southwest Missouri in 2014-15, and The Leapfrog Group awarded Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2015 Hospital Patient Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo. #FreemanTurns90