Two execs at Mercy will retire early as the health system goes through what it says is ‘difficult terrain ahead’.
Jon Swope and Dr. Fred McQueary’s retirements start at the end of June.
Mercy recently announced furloughs and layoffs for workers at campuses across four states.
You can read more from a statement released by Mercy below…
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (May 18, 2020) – Like the Sisters before us, Mercy has been blessed with leaders who made ministry their life’s work, sharing their significant gifts over many decades. Jon Swope and Dr. Fred McQueary have volunteered to begin their well-deserved retirement earlier than planned to help Mercy navigate the difficult financial terrain ahead. Their retirement begins at the end of June.
Jon Swope has served most recently as Mercy senior vice president and regional president, Central Communities. He began his career at Mercy Springfield at the age of 19 as a transporter. He also trained to be one of the first technicians in the hospital’s new burn unit and has served across Mercy in a variety of leadership positions.
His past roles include president of Mercy Springfield Communities and for the past seven years, he’s served as the regional president of the Central Communities. He has spent his entire 40-year professional career at Mercy but is most grateful for the time he spent caring for the brave patients in the burn unit. “Working at Mercy has been one of the greatest blessings of my life,” Swope said. “I’m so glad I never said no to any position, because it’s enabled me to serve alongside so many incredible people.”
Dr. Fred McQueary has served most recently as Mercy executive vice president and chief clinical officer but is likely better known to local patients for his 34 years as a gifted orthopedic surgeon. Dr. McQueary helped build Springfield’s integrated orthopedic group, which is now a nationally-known a site for “destination medicine” for joint replacement. He was also instrumental in the formation of a multidisciplinary spine center that has also become a destination for spine surgery, with patients traveling to Springfield for Mercy services.
Dr. McQueary was one of several founding members of the Mercy Clinic in 1993 and served in a variety of operational and administrative leadership positions while maintaining his surgical practice. Since retiring from surgery, he’s been a driving force behind Mercy’s physician-led specialty councils, which have sped the use of evidence-based best medical practices and clinical innovations to improve care for patients.
“These leaders have served Mercy well over so many years,” said Lynn Britton, president and CEO of Mercy. “Our ministry is richer for their service and their sacrificial leadership at a crucial time.”
