Mercy Regional Medical Center recently announced that the facility’s vice president of operations and outreach strategy will now serve as the new chief executive officer.
Will McConnell was previously responsible for overseeing operations and growth of Mercy’s 16 primary care and specialty clinics, according to a news release that announced the promotion.
“Will has demonstrated an ability to lead effectively at Mercy,” said Tom Gessel, the outgoing CEO. “He is especially adept at strategic planning and physician partnership. I have no doubt that Mercy’s success – which ultimately benefits those we serve – will continue under Will’s leadership.”
Gessel was promoted to CEO in September 2012. He was promoted last January to senior vice president of operations and network development at Centura Health, Mercy’s parent organization.
Before joining Mercy’s Senior Leadership team in 2010, McConnell worked for Carilion Clinic, a six-hospital, nonprofit health care organization based in Roanoke, Virginia.
He earned a Ph.D. and master’s degree at Colorado State University, and a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Medical Group Management Association. He is also certified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
“It’s truly an honor to lead this organization,” McConnell said in a prepared statement. “The employees and providers who work here are incredibly dedicated to those we serve. That dedication and commitment to excellence shows not only in the recognition Mercy has received, but more importantly in the lives we touch every day.”
