Longtime Mercy administrator to retire

Bill Hennessey, a Mercy Springfield Communities administrator who has worked for the health system for nearly four decades, is retiring.

Hennessey, 65, said in an interview with Springfield Business Journal that his retirement is effective March 1.

Hennessey currently serves as the health system's vice president of mission, a role he's held for around a decade. After four years in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, Hennessey's roles at Mercy have included marketing, clinic operations and hospital leader in Mountain View. He was influential in the 2012 name change of the health system to Mercy from St. John's, and he helped establish the health system's clinic network.

"It's been an amazing 37 years. There's a season for everything, and eventually it needed to be time for that next chapter," he said. "We've got amazing leaders in place. I'm just so confident with the folks that we have here in the ministry. It felt like a good time."

In retirement, Hennessey said he's looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Dawn, and his family – "I have kids in three different cities" – and doubling down on his nonprofit work.

"I'm blessed," he said. "I've got great health, thank goodness."

Hennessey's civic work has included service with The Kitchen Inc., United Way Ozarks Region, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri Inc. and Crosslines Community Outreach, and he has been involved with the National Day of Prayer and the Mayor’s Commission on Community Investment.

Asked about succession planning for the vice president of mission role, Hennessey said the position was posted and the health system should make an announcement soon. He said his duties beyond the VP of mission position would be reassigned.

Hennessey in 2024 was recognized in the administrator category for SBJ’s Health Care Champions. For the Health Care Champions profile, friend Dan Reiter, vice president and general manager of the Springfield Cardinals, said Hennessey’s passion is a “multiplier.”

“One good employee is fantastic, but someone who makes 20 people better is even more valuable,” Reiter said at the time. “Where Bill excelled, and continues to excel, is to multiply effectiveness of every group he is a part of."