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Health news and issues in the Ozarks.

Jon Swope to Continue as Mercy Springfield Communities Interim President

Mercy Springfield
Chloe O'Neil
/
KSMU

Mercy Springfield says the interim president of its regional hospital system will remain in the role for the foreseeable future.

According to a news release, the organization said it informed staff Wednesday that Jon Swope will continue as interim president of Mercy Springfield Communities and Dr. Alan Scarrow will return to practicing medicine full-time as a neurosurgeon. Scarrow had served as president for three years.

The change in September followed the firing of 12 employees over the summer after allegations of patient abuse. Mercy said at the time of the interim leadership announcement that the move was the result of “identifying behavior that does not live up to Mercy’s standards of dignity and compassion.”

The leadership team consists of officials from across its four-state service area – Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Their objective, according to the hospital, is to support “local leaders in their efforts to create and implement a plan of action for ensuring the highest levels of patient care and safety, as well as for the safety and wellbeing of co-workers."

On Wednesday, Mercy credited Scarrow for his leadership and role in the hospital achieving national recognition for its medicine program.   

“The Springfield community and Mercy appreciate Dr. Scarrow’s service as president of Mercy Springfield Communities and are thankful the community will continue to benefit from his talent and skill as a surgeon,” the statement read.

According to the hospital, Swope is a 37-year Mercy co-worker who has served the majority of his career in Springfield. In addition to continuing as interim president of Mercy Springfield Communities, Swope will continue in his role as Mercy Central region president.

Follow Scott Harvey on Twitter: @scottksmu

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