Mercy names new Springfield president

Mercy announced this morning that Dr. Rob Steele, senior vice president of market growth and development, has been named president of its Springfield hospital. The appointment is effective March 1.

Steele, a practicing pediatrician for 15 years, will be the first physician in Mercy's history to take on the role of hospital president, according to a news release.

Steele succeeds Jon Swope, who has been named regional president for Mercy's central communities in southwest Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas. Swope takes the position of the retiring Kim Day.

“We have had a history of excellent leadership in Mercy’s central communities. We have been truly blessed and our strong ministry will continue as Mercy has two talented successors in place to make this change," Mercy Chief Operating Officer Mike McCurry said in the release.