Monday, March 27, 2023

Freeman official to Turner Report: Paula Baker continues to have "full trust and respect of board"


A Freeman Health tweet on Friday, later apparently deleted, refuted rumors by noting Paula Baker is still CEO.

The rumors are still circulating, so a Freeman official, with Baker's permission, told the Turner Report that not only is Baker still in charge but she "continues to operate with the full trust and respect of the Board of Directors."

The stories that have circulated across Joplin ran the gamut from a Thursday arrest, complete with handcuffs, to a firing (and there has been no evidence of either), but the Turner Report confirmed that Baker was on the job Friday.







Freeman has been under federal scrutiny. Though the FBI makes no comments on ongoing investigations, state health officials confirmed in November that Freeman was under a federal investigation in connection with a case in which a woman who was refused an emergency abortion at Freeman after her water broke only 18 weeks into her pregnancy. Federal law requires hospitals that participate in the Medicare program to provide care for patients in emergency situations.

That woman's story was featured in a political advertisement by unsuccessful Senate candidate Trudy Busch Valentine.







No other federal or state investigations have been confirmed.

Sources at Freeman told the Turner Report that things have been uncomfortable since three top officials, Carlos Haley, vice president and chief compliance officer, Matt Adrian, general counsel, and Ally Adrian departed in January, a departure that was announced in an e-mail to staff, (though not to all employees as incorrectly stated in the post), as well as some other recent departures.




12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Healthy and confident organizations don’t have to announce their ‘full trust and respect’ for leadership.

Anonymous said...

Where there is smoke, there is fire.

Anonymous said...

Follow the Covid money, Randy

Anonymous said...

How much did she donate to you to get you to run this? She may have the trust of the board (though I doubt it) but she does not have the trust of the employees.

Anonymous said...

Agreed

Anonymous said...

Time for a change at Freeman Hospital. She may have the board’s trust, but very few employees respect or trust her decision making capabilities. Anonymously submitted due to to fear of repercussions. Same fears exist by Russian citizens.

Anonymous said...

To the commenter concerned about retaliation. You should 100% be concerned, this is the culture Paula and her HR team created.

Anonymous said...

When it affects Baker, it affects our pocketbooks. Why else do you think they recommend surgery as the first step to getting better only to be a revolving door into their pockets until we die. Just wait… we will hear soon how people have been wrongfully terminated bc they spent $$ investigating who started the rumors. Save your money Paula and give it to the front line workers who keep you in business.

Anonymous said...

In the 1980’s-90’s Freeman HR was there for your benefit. They were helpful in meeting your goals and addressing concerns. Today, a call or visit from them is generally a feared encounter and frequently results in termination of the employee. They are experts in control and manipulation. Things have only worsened under Paula Baker’s watch. Time for new blood and a more humanistic approach to human relations. At present, they rule with an iron fist. Just as any employee.

Anonymous said...

It wasn’t that way when Gary Duncan was in charge. Mary Frerer, CHRO, is the devil and the spawn of Paula.

Anonymous said...

Paula Baker is an expert manipulator. She has the boards trust because she provides them with phenomenal board retreats and other perks. Freeman controls the “puppet board” in many ways. The only recourse is a unionized work force to protect against tyranny. Enough said, thank you.

Anonymous said...

Freeman board is a corrupt bunch of white dudes with no backbone and no brain.