Remarkable Women: Paula Baker's legacy of compassionate health care
JOPLIN, Mo. — One area woman has dedicated decades of her life to helping provide excellent health care in the region.
Paula Baker has dedicated her life to helping take care of others.
'Fulfilling the mission that I believe God gave to me,' said Baker.
That mission has been decades of leading others in providing the best health care possible.
'I'm so proud of the Freeman team, there have been a lot of really amazing accomplishments.'
As the CEO and President of the area's largest employer, Baker helps to guide more than five thousand employees daily.
But it doesn't stop there. She's laser-focused on making sure Freeman's patients are treated with kindness and care.
'Patients come in, they're scared, they're nervous, their family members are scared and nervous. And the compassionate care that we are able to provide those patients and family members because it's just as much about how those people feel and how we treat them and the compassion that we are able to extend to them is just as important as the treatment they receive,' said Baker.
This year the health system marks 100 years of offering health care to residents from all across the Four States.
Baker says she's proud of how they've worked hard to offer the latest medical advances and technology.
'It's a sacred mission. We are entrusted with the health care of people, we are here for them on happy days when babies are born, we're here with them on the scary days when they are having a surgery or an illness, and we also help them as they pass from this life to the next. So we are very very honored to touch people in such intimate ways,' said Baker.
The mission hasn't always been easy.
'There were a lot of very, very dark days.'
Baker led her team through the incredibly difficult and tragic days after the May 2011 Joplin tornado.
Some of their staff crawled through rubble to get to the hospital to help.
'Some of our caretakers didn't know if their own family members were safe when they came to the hospital.'
And in 2020 when the COVID pandemic hit, Baker and her team made the decision to continue to offer full-service hospital care.
'We knew this was a time to be here for our local communities and provide that same level of care, and that was difficult because there were so many risk factors and so many unknowns. But I'm really proud of our team for being so courageous and stepping forward.'
Baker is quick to credit the thousands of people who work daily at all of the Freeman locations.
Freeman now offers 80 specialties, in 30 locations, across three states.
And as she nears her retirement, Baker says she's looking forward to more time with her family. Her teenage son Austin is a regular visitor at her office.
'To raise a son who is responsible, successful, and kind and giving. To me that is one of my most important missions,' said Baker.
Baker also says she's incredibly grateful to her husband of 45 years, Gene, for his support and the sacrifices her family has made to help support her mission to help others.
'I'm really appreciative of his patience, and his understanding, and his buy-in to the mission at Freeman as well.'
Baker says she's proud of the legacy she's leaving and knows Freeman will continue to work daily to serve their patients with excellent care.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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