SPRINGDALE (July 12, 2023) – Rick R. Naegler has been named market chief executive officer (CEO) of Northwest Health and CEO of Northwest Medical Center — Springdale.
Rick is currently the CEO of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Under his leadership, the 410-bed hospital has increased patient satisfaction, grown market share in all service lines, recruited numerous specialists, and created RN and internal medicine residency programs.
An accomplished health care leader who began his career as a flight nurse, Rick has an extensive clinical background as a registered nurse and chief nursing officer and brings this perspective to his leadership in creating an environment that supports patient and employee satisfaction.
Before joining Poplar Bluff, he served as CEO at Lake City Medical Center in Lake City, Fla., where he also held the role of chief nursing officer (CNO). He also held CNO positions at hospitals in Kissimmee, Fla., and Dallas, Texas.
He earned his nursing degree at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., and earned both his bachelor’s degree in healthcare management and master’s degree in healthcare administration at Bellevue University in Bellevue, Neb.
“Rick’s leadership coupled with his extensive clinical background made him the ideal choice to lead Northwest Health and Northwest Medical Center — Springdale,” said Robert Petrino, M.D., FACS, chair of the Northwest Medical Center Board. “We welcome Rick and look forward to working with him.”
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About Northwest Health
Northwest Health is the largest health system in Northwest Arkansas with five hospitals: Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville, Northwest Medical Center – Springdale, Northwest Medical Center – Willow Creek Women’s Hospital, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital and Northwest Health Physicians’ Specialty Hospital. The system has 507 beds, a combined medical staff of more than 800 physicians and more than 2,200 employees working together to provide quality healthcare for the region. The system also includes two 24/7 standalone emergency departments, Northwest Health Emergency Department Fayetteville and Northwest Health Emergency Department Bentonville. For more information, visit NorthwestHealth.com.
