St. Mary’s Medical Center and the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital welcome Rick Naegler to the position of chief operating officer. In this role, he will manage daily operations and oversee the development and implementation of long-range plans, goals and objectives for the hospital.
Rick is a veteran healthcare executive with extensive clinical and hospital operations experience. Most recently, he worked for Tenet’s home office on special projects for the company and has served in interim executive positions. He has been instrumental in project planning for Tenet’s Florida region including construction projects, operational efficiency assessments, labor management, and team development.
“We are very pleased to have Rick join the St. Mary’s team, and to provide leadership for our inpatient and outpatient services,” said Gabrielle Finley-Hazle, hospital chief executive officer. “We feel confident that his passion for healing and his expertise in hospital operations will be an invaluable asset to both St Mary’s Medical Center and the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital.”
Prior to his time with Tenet, Rick served for four years as a senior executive overseeing the clinical operations of two hospitals in central Florida. During his tenure there, he successfully managed clinical operations and directed the opening of a free standing emergency department, along with various other expansion and renovation projects including a new trauma program. His hospitals ranked high in customer service and achieved clinical excellence recognitions such as a Joint Commission Top Performer as well as an “A” rating from the Leapfrog group. He also previously served as the vice president of operations for a firm where he managed all aspects of contracting, Joint Commission compliance and business office functions.
Rick began his career as an emergency room registered nurse and was a United States Army Medic. He was recognized early on as a leader earning a top 40 under 40 business award from the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and has served in various clinical and non-clinical leadership roles including business development, operational improvements, construction management, physician recruitment, and service line development and management.
He earned a master’s degree in Health Care Administration from Bellevue University and a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Management from Southwest Baptist University. Rick is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Organization of Nurse Executives.
