Mercy-Springfield VP promoted to systemwide exec

The vice president and chief nursing officer of Mercy's Springfield region has been promoted to lead the health system's nurses across the organization.

Linda Knodel has taken the role of senior vice president and chief nursing officer for St. Louis-based Mercy, effective immediately, according to a Nov. 29 news release. She will continue to serve as chief nursing officer for Mercy's central region.

“As nurses, we are recognized as the coordinators of care, no matter the setting. Having a presence and voice at the executive tables will ensure that we are meeting the needs of the Mercy health ministry and the communities served," Knodel said in the release.

In the new role, Knodel is responsible for leading activities and programs affecting some 10,000 nurses in the Mercy system. She also is a member of Mercy's executive leadership team, senior operations team and joint presidents' council.

A registered nurse for nearly 40 years, Knodel joined Mercy in 2010 after working for 36 years at Bismarck, N.D.-based St. Alexius Medical Center.

Knodel also is president-elect of the American Organization of Nurse Executives, an 8,500-member organization for which she will serve a term as president starting Jan. 1, 2014.