Mercy president announces plans for retirement
Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2008
ROGERS — Dick Trammel may be the most recognizable name in northwest Arkansas, but Susan Barrett isn’t far behind.
And that’s saying something.
So the announcement Wednesday that Barrett, president of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas since 1999 and a longtime leader with the Sisters of Mercy Health System, will retire at the end of the year immediately made waves. The announcement came in a news release from Mercy.
“ For many years, Susan has been the face of Mercy to the residents of northwest Arkansas, and we join the Sisters of Mercy Health System in congratulating her as she announces her plans to retire, ” said Paul Bergant, board chairman for Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas and executive vice president of J. B. Hunt. “ During her tenure, Susan provided leadership in realizing two significant goals: The construction of the new Mercy medical campus and, more recently, finalizing an appropriate use of the old St. Mary’s Hospital facility, which will continue to meet community needs as a center for nonprofit organizations. For these and other achievements, we thank Susan for her vision and her leadership. ”
Barrett has been a part of the St. Louis-based Mercy organization since 1991, when she joined Mercy Health System of Kansas as director of outreach services. She was named chief operating officer of Mercy Hospital in Independence, Kan., later that year, before taking over as president and CEO of Mercy Health System of Kansas. Barrett moved to Rogers in 1999 to accept the role of president and CEO of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas.
“ Susan was fond of reminding those within the organization that as we performed the mission of Mercy, we stood on the shoulders of the Sisters of Mercy who went before us, ” said Sister Anita DeSalvo, a Sister of Mercy. “ Now, as we carry on that mission in northwest Arkansas, those shoulders include Susan and the legacy of servant leadership she has left us. She touched the lives of many co-workers, physicians, volunteers, patients and community members in the process and is leaving Mercy in a better position than when she arrived. ”
Under Barrett’s watch in northwest Arkansas, Mercy continued to strengthen partnerships between the hospital and the physician community, provided leadership in the construction of the replacement medical campus and executive support for the capital campaign and, according to those around her, fostered a culture committed to the highest levels of quality and safety. She also supported the application of technology in clinical care and business operations, including the implementation of an electronic health-record system, and cultivated the Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas Foundation. The most visible achievement is the construction and opening of the new Mercy Medical Center campus along Interstate 540 in Rogers earlier this year.
“ We are pleased to join with Susan in celebrating her upcoming retirement, while at the same time we honor her many contributions to Mercy over a period of nearly 18 years, ” said John Sullivan, president and CEO of the Sisters of Mercy Health System, which sponsors Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas. “ Susan has been instrumental in developing strong ties between Mercy and the community, which will serve as her legacy as we continue to build on those important relationships in the years to come. ”
“ Susan carried the mission of Mercy forward with the zeal of a woman called to extending health care to all people, ” said George Flynn, CEO of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas. “ It is evident to all who support Mercy that Susan is committed to this community — and the community has been drawn to her graciousness, compassion and integrity. ”
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