Joplin, MO. – It was 1981, and Virginia Dawson, part-time employee at Freeman Hospital, was exiting the building when her boyfriend Clarence pulled up in his car, rolled down the window and asked her point-blank to marry him.
Even then, all those decades ago, Dawson’s life was intricately tied to Freeman Hospital.
After spending most of the 1980s working in nearby Miami, Oklahoma, she found herself once again clipping on the Freeman lapel badge in 1990, this time as a full-time employee.
“The rest,” Dawson said, “is history.”

Leaving her ‘Freeman Family’

After 36 years as a much-loved and respected Freeman Health System institution, the longtime executive office coordinator is retiring from a place she’s lovingly called her “second” home.
“Both of my ‘first’ days at Freeman were great,” Dawson said. “I felt welcome. I knew when I
began in 1990 it would be my forever employer. I just had no idea it would be for almost 37
years.”

Her retirement was first announced in July by Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer
Matt Fry during an online Town Hall meeting, in which he described her as a “trusted friend to
her peers” and a “calming, capable hand” during Freeman’s most demanding moments.
“I was very tearful listening,” Dawson admitted. “I’m glad I was watching virtually.”
“For more than three-and-a-half decades, Virginia has been a steady, caring presence
throughout our organization,” Fry would later write in an email sent to all Freeman employees.
“She’s supported countless colleagues, physicians, patients and families with the outstanding
dedication. Through every change, challenge and milestone Freeman Health System has
experienced over the years, Virginia has been there, offering her time, her expertise and her
heart.“

During her tenure, Dawson has worked under several Presidents/CEOs including Fry, Paula
Baker, Gary Duncan and Kelby Krabbenhoft.

“Each one has been unique and memorable,” she said. “All have been a pleasure to work for
and all placed their trust in me, which made my job easy!”

Changes and Growth

Freeman certainly looked different in 1990. At that time, Freeman had yet to grow into the
eight hospital “health system” most know it today; just the 175-bed Freeman Hospital fronting
32nd Street, she said. It wouldn’t be until 1995 that Freeman Health System was established
when Freeman Hospital East [Oak Hill Hospital] and Freeman Neosho Hospital [Sale Memorial
Hospital] were brought into the fold.

“We had a simple computer, I don’t remember the name of it, but it was cumbersome to
maneuver through the processes,” Dawson said. “We also still used electric typewriters and
made a lot of phone calls. Technology has moved rapidly since 1990.”
And so has the health system, she added.

“Yes, more specialties, more physicians, more facilities, more departments, more employees, additions to [Freeman Hospital West], more locations and of course technology advancements,” Dawson said. “From my viewpoint, changes have come in spurts, but I think Freeman has always looked forward and stood ready for the next adventure or challenge.”
The reason why she’s stayed with Freeman spanning four decades is a rather simple one to answer, she said.
“The Freeman family, of course. It is the best place I have ever worked, except maybe when I worked in my dad’s office when I was in junior high school.”

Fondest memories

In many ways, Dawson noted, there are way too many fond memories dating back over the years, but a few stand out in her mind.

“The most memorable one is when I received the ‘Chairman’s Award’ at the Best Awards Banquet,” she said. “Listening to the executives speak about me was like I was listening to them talk about someone else. I was very appreciative, to say the least. I was also very proud to be honored in such a way.”

Another fond memory took place during Freeman’s 75th anniversary celebration in 2000.
“There have been many times that I have laughed until I cried but I know Danny Caylor and Skip Harper will definitely remember Freeman’s 75th Anniversary celebration, when we went outside to the hill by the Cross and were given paper lanterns to launch. We were told if the wind was blowing at all, we couldn’t light the lanterns, but with paper lanterns and lighters in hand, there was no stopping us – wind or not! Needless to say, it was quite the sight, with lanterns burning up and landing on grass or sailing across the street and golf carts chasing after them for fear we would set the entire campus on fire. I don’t think it was a big threat, and we really did laugh until we cried – except for Danny and Skip.”

The road ahead

She plans to stay busy in retirement, routinely traveling to central Texas to visit her children. Closer to home, she’ll be seen daily in her neighborhood walking her beloved pooch Charlie—weather permitting, of course.
“We are truly a family,” Dawson said of Freeman Health System. “You may call it a ‘work family’ but I believe I could call upon any member of the Freeman family, day or night, to help me with anything and they would be there to assist me without hesitation.

“I will say I am truly humbled by all the messages I have received since Matt announced my retirement from employees, from community members, from outside companies we work with and many others who I have worked with over the years,” she continued. “I am never at a loss for words, but I may be now. I guess I would say: Always be supportive – you never know when someone is having a bad day and what you say may make a difference.”