Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center CEO Rick Naegler is leaving his current position to lead hospitals in Arkansas.
Naegler has been appointed as the market CEO of Northwest Health in Arkansas and CEO of Northwest Medical Center Springdale, Arkansas, effective Aug. 14.
Naegler explained, “while the change is bittersweet,” it presents an opportunity for him to lead a group of hospitals.
Expressing his gratitude, Naegler said, “Poplar Bluff is a special area for health care. I am honored to have had the opportunity to lead with a supporting business community and a value-driven board of directors. Our internal teams of physicians, nurses and supporting care providers are dedicated to mission, and strive daily to care for our community.”
Before joining Poplar Bluff, Naegler served as the CEO of the HCA-affiliated Lake City Medical Center in Lake City, Florida. He is originally from Missouri and obtained his nursing degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. He further pursued his education, earning a bachelor’s degree in health care management and an MHA in health care administration from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Nebraska.
During his tenure at PBRMC since 2021, Naegler’s leadership, according to staff, guided the hospital through the challenges of the pandemic, stating he “led the hospital through the pandemic to the other side, maintaining our commitment to the delivery of safe and quality care for both patients and staff.”
According to staff reports, Naegler’s recruitment efforts have led to the addition of numerous new providers to the community. Additionally, in a press release, it was highlighted that he played a successful role in launching and integrating CERNER, an electronic medical record system, which was described as a multi-million dollar technology investment for PBRMC. This implementation, “ultimately streamlines workflow for both nursing and physician staff, providing an increased level of safety for patients,” the reports said.
Naegler’s successor has not yet been announced.