Mercy Springfield Communities gain new chief operating officer, chief nursing officer

John Myers is the new chief operating officer for Mercy Hospital Springfield, and Marie Moore is taking on the role of chief nursing officer for Mercy Springfield Communities, according to a press release.

“I’m so excited for what these two leaders bring to the table,” said David Argueta, president of Mercy Hospitals Springfield Communities. “It’s a perfect combination of institutional knowledge from Marie — whose entire career has been at Mercy — to John, who brings fresh ideas for how to better serve our patients. They will both be looking to our outstanding co-workers for ideas as we all work together to improve our already high-quality care.”

Myers, who is trained in nuclear medicine, was previously at HCA Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in Nebraska, and earned a master of business administration from Regis University in Denver.

“When I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to serve in some capacity in health care,” Myers said in the press release. “After completing my training (in nuclear medicine), I quickly found I had a passion for leadership and supporting our frontline caregivers. My passion is taking care of those who care for others.”

Myers and his wife, Danielle, have three children.

Moore has been with Mercy for 14 years, starting as a tech on Mercy Hospital Springfield's surgical telemetry floor while still in nursing school. Moore most recently served as executive director of operations.

“My care for others started while I was in grade school,” she said. “My mother worked for the Taney County Health Department, and I spent my after-school hours putting together packets for the Women, Infants and Children program. It made me feel like I had a real job — but I think it’s also where I first learned about community health and the needs in our area.”

Moore is a Branson native, and earned her Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Healthcare Administration from Missouri State University.

Moore is also active in the community. She serves on the board of the Discovery Center, volunteers through “Women of Wish” for Make-a-Wish and volunteers with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband, Matthew, have three children: Landon, age 8, Easton, age 6 and Adelynn, age 1.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: John Myers named COO of Mercy Hospital Springfield