Freeman Honors Outstanding Employees

Joplin, Mo. – Freeman Health System held its annual Best Awards on Saturday, June 20, at the Joplin Elks Lodge, where eleven employees received honors for their commitment and dedication to their work. 

The annual Freeman Best Awards ceremony recognizes quarterly Best Award winners and announces the annual “best of the best.” The awards program recognizes employees who put their hearts into their work, show a passion for caring for their patients, use their talents and skills to change lives and save lives and strive to make Freeman Health System the best place to give and receive care. Candidates and winners are nominated and selected by their peers. 

Winners received cash prizes, additional gifts and a commemorative trophy. Freeman Director of Service Excellence Ryan Melton explained why it is important for Freeman to honor its employees through this program, “Freeman is proud to honor these individuals for the difference they make every day for patients, guests, employees and the community. The nominees and winners truly exemplify the values of the health system, which include commitment to compassionate care, effective communication, teamwork, professionalism and ownership.”

Freeman Annual Best Award winners for 2015: 

Ancillary Patient Care
Kendra Boswell
Freeman Physical Therapist

Business Services
Cynthia Clements
Freeman Human Resources

Leadership
Patricia Lynn Culvey
Freeman General Surgery & Orthopaedics

Nursing
Tyler Barnhart
Freeman Nursing Resources

Valerie Hare
Freeman Intensive Care Unit

Ozark Center
Tiffany Stout
Ozark Center Human Resources

Patient Support
Julia Long
Freeman Housekeeping

Physician Care
Adam Fahrenholtz, DO
Freeman Hospitalist

Practice Management
Melissa Farmer
Freeman Professional Development

Shining Star
Amber Henderson
Freeman Medical

Chairman’s Award
Virginia Dawson
Administration

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 2014, Freeman earned 90 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 #1 Hospital in Southwest Missouri in 2014-15, and The Leapfrog Group gave Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2014 Hospital 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