Missourian Award list stacked with locals

All but one of this year’s Missourian Award recipients are locals.

The award recognizes native Missourians for their civic, business, arts or political achievements, according to a news release.

The local honorees, in alphabetical order by last name, are:
    •    Dr. Keesag Baron, the owner of CoxHealth-affiliated Baron Cardiology Group PC;
    •    Jacquie Dowdy, CEO of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts;
    •    Steve Edwards, president and CEO of CoxHealth;
    •    Bob Helm, managing partner of Elliott, Robinson & Co. LLP;
    •    Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College;
    •    Kerri Miller, founder and president of Make People Better LLC; and
    •    Jim Thomas, who’s being honored posthumously as a Branson entrepreneur.

Daniel Scodary, the medical director of St. Louis-based SSM Neurosciences Institute, is the only honoree residing outside of the Springfield area. Missourian Award founder Ralph Slavens also will be honored for launching the annual awards during a Sept. 23 ceremony at Chateau on the Lake Resort in Branson, according to the release.

The Missourian Award was created in 1994 by Slavens and his late wife, Corrine, to honor individuals who have made a lasting impact on the Show-Me State. Past recipients include John Q. Hammons, Walt Disney and Harry S. Truman, according to TheMissourianAward.org.