JOPLIN, Mo. – Keenen Cortez, a familiar face at Freeman Health System, has been honored with a prestigious award, beating out more than 300,000 fellow candidates nationwide.

Cortez serves as Crothall Healthcare’s Patient Experience Manager, working at Freeman. Crothall provides facilities management and environmental services to Freeman’s numerous facilities. Cortez also happens to be Mayor of Joplin since 2024 and associate pastor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Joplin. It’s for these reasons, and so many others, why he is the recipient of the 2025 Compass in the Community Award.

“To just grasp the fact that out of everyone in the company, I am the one who gets to have this honor, I am absolutely blown away,” Cortez said.

This national award from Compass Group North America, parent company of Crothall Healthcare, recognizes a single individual each year who purposely makes community outreach an important part of his or her life.

In a congratulatory note to Cortez from Compass Global Director Aleshia McMath, she wrote: “You have set a standard for excellence by ensuring that patient care goes beyond clinical outcomes to embrace compassion, safety, and quality of experience … what sets you apart is not only the scope of your achievements, but also the heart you bring to every endeavor.” 

Cortez readily admits he doesn’t exactly know how he effectively wears three completely different hats on a daily basis – manager, mayor, and pastor. 

“I routinely ask myself that same question,” he said with a chuckle.

In the end, Cortez simply does what his trusted heart tells him to do.

“I live by a scripture found in Matthew 20:28: ‘The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and offer his life as a ransom for many.’ To be Christian is to follow the teachings of Christ and Jesus all through scripture that serving your neighbor is the way to go,” he said.

Cortez’s award and recognition wasn’t lost on Freeman leadership.

“This award celebrates not only Keenan’s achievements, but the heart and integrity he brings to every endeavor,” said Matt Fry, Freeman Health System’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Keenan is a shining example of leadership in the hospital, in his ministry, and as our mayor. He consistently shows kindness, compassion, and integrity,” said Kyleigh Fordyce, Freeman’s Director of Medical Oncology. “I think everyone at Freeman would agree that we are lucky to have him as a coworker and friend. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.”

Cortez will be formally recognized at the Compass Night of Stars in Orlando, Florida, later this month.

“I get the privilege to teach and train all of the new hires in my department and one of the things I always try to emphasize to them is how we treat each other will make all the difference in the world to someone someday,” he said. “Let your goodness and kindness be your core.”

This award, Cortez continued, “solidifies for me that giving and serving is not the most glamorous gig out there. Glitter and confetti won’t fall from the sky every day. But the reward of serving is mostly an inside job.”