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2010 40 Under 40: Christie Draper

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Implementation of the Physician Pipeline Project for St. John’s Health System is a point of particular pride for Christie Draper. She began the ongoing program as part of her efforts to identify promising students early in their education and foster them throughout medical school and residencies.

“Since 2006, I have attracted and recruited quality physicians, including primary care physicians and specialists, to Springfield and the surrounding communities,” Draper says.

She and three staff members recruited more than 40 new physicians to St. John’s last year, handling everything from arranging candidate interviews to internal and external marketing and orchestrating necessary completion of federal, state and organizational accreditation requirements.

The connections physicians and their families make to the community they serve is also crucial to their recruitment and retention, and Draper plays an important role on that front, as well.

“My networking skills and contacts have allowed me to connect new St. John’s physicians with other local business leaders such as Realtors, bankers and insurance agents,” she says, noting that as a result, the physician turnover rate at St. John’s is 5 percent below the national average.

Draper’s proudest accomplishment is recruiting this region’s first pediatric hematologist/oncologist, Dr. Remi Fasipe. As a result, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital was able to expand children’s health care services to the area and add a sixth affiliate clinic.

“The addition of Dr. Fasipe to St. John’s Children’s Hospital has allowed us to keep children and their families closer to home when they are being treated for devastating illnesses,” Draper says.

Draper’s service to the community doesn’t end when she leaves her desk at St. John’s. She has been a member and leader of the Junior League of Springfield since 2004. As vice president of finance, she oversees all the fundraising efforts and reviews and manages several committees, including the JLS Celebrate the Season annual holiday shopping event. Her efforts have gotten noticed, as Draper was recently nominated for the Association of Junior Leagues’ International Rising Star Award, recognizing emerging leaders who demonstrate the vision and values of the Junior League mission.

She also gives her time and skills to support Developmental Center of the Ozarks, Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks and the American Cancer Society.[[In-content Ad]]

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