A former member of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center’s leadership will return in August to take over chief executive officer.
Missouri native Clyde Wood was chief operating officer from 2006-2009.
He replaces outgoing CEO Rick Naegler effective Aug. 14. Naegler is leaving at that time to take the helm of Northwest Health in Arkansas and Northwest Medical Center Springdale, Arkansas.
The Board of Trustees is thrilled to welcome Wood back to Poplar Bluff, said Chairman Phil Santie said in a press release.
“Those of us who worked with Clyde previously have been impressed with accomplishments recruiting physicians, improving quality and positively impacting care provided to patients,” Santie said. “We look forward to working with him to advance medical services for our area.”
Wood joins Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center after serving for the past year at CEO Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. During his tenure there, the hospital showed continuous improvement in patient experience and satisfaction, reductions in length of stay, and enhancements in services to meet community needs, according to a press release.
Prior to that, he served as market president for Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and Davis Regional Medical Center in North Carolina and in executive roles with increasing responsibilities for three different Tennova Healthcare hospitals in Tennessee. Wood has established a strong track record recruiting physicians, growing services to meet community needs and enhancing quality of care and patient experience, according to hospital officials.
He began his career working as a physical therapist for six years in Branson, Missouri. Wood also served in the United States Army Reserves from 1991-1999.
After graduating from Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri, Wood earned his master’s degree in physical therapy from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and later a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Missouri State University. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.