JOPLIN, Mo. —
For the first time in my career at Freeman Health System, I am having trouble finding words to express the feelings in my heart for each of our employees.
In the hours following 5:41 p.m., May 22, 2011, Freeman staff fulfilled a calling, extending help to more than 1,000 suffering people. This help came not just from doctors and nurses but from individuals across our health system and beyond, including volunteers and staff from other area hospitals. What happened at Freeman West, Freeman Neosho and Freeman East in the aftermath of that deadly tornado was miraculous. From every corner, including tornado-ravaged Ozark Center, employees showed up to do more than just their job. They did whatever was needed — setting up cots, working the morgue, passing out water, helping families desperate to find loved ones, or reaching out to injured friends calling their names from the sea of victims. Some did this despite having just lost their homes. Some did this not knowing if their loved ones were still alive.
Freeman employees come to work each day pledging to live up to our Five-Star Promise of compassion, teamwork, ownership, professionalism and communication. From the damage wreaked upon our community by the storm, remarkable examples of those traits in action surfaced to supply us with countless tales of those who exemplified this promise.
Years ago, I asked our employees for their hearts and hands in our Quest to be the BEST — Freeman’s promise to provide the best quality health care, become the best place to work, offer the best place for physicians to practice, and reach out to our community as its best corporate partner. Little did I know the breadth and depth of Freeman employees’ passion for service. Little did I know their hands would be covered with the blood of hundreds, all the while still giving great care, compassion and consolation.
I want each employee of Freeman to know that we are a five-star health system. Our five stars shine brightly every day, but on May 22, 2011, they served as beacon of hope for our community. I am as proud of my employees as any leader could ever be.
Gary Duncan is president and CEO of Freeman Health System.
Opinion
Gary Duncan, guest columnist: Living up to the promise
- Opinion
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Our View: Victims should come first
Millions of dollars in donations have poured in from around the world since the May 22, 2011, tornado. Those donations represent money from lemonade stands, charity auctions, corporate gifts and celebrity checks, just to name a few. In fact, one year later donations continue to come to Joplin.
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Beth Meeker, guest columnist: Same-sex marriage battle a quest for equal rights
I would like to take a moment to reply to guest columnist Anson Burlingame’s, “The Marriage Debate” (Globe, May 13).
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Sunday Forum: 2012 graduation speakers key on tornado, mall school and president’s visit
Editor’s note: In addition to speeches by President Barack Obama and Gov. Jay Nixon, Joplin High School’s top students addressed graduates, faculty, parents and other guests packed into the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus. Following are the text of those speeches.
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Geoff Caldwell, guest columnist: Pack mentality takes truth as a casualty
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A few evenings ago, I watched a television program on the science of marriage.
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Our View: Finding middle ground
The G-8 summit held last week in Camp David ended as expected.
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Anson Burlingame, guest columnist: Class of 2012 upholds character, hope
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Scott Charton, guest columnist: 'Deadline in Disaster' film a story about storytellers
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Our View: Make voting easiser
This year’s ballot will not include a proposed constitutional amendment that photo identification be required at the polls in Missouri. Good.
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