LIBERAL, KS – Southwest Medical Center and its Board of Trustees announce the departure of President and CEO, Robert Whitaker, effective April 14, 2022.
Mark Schepers, Chairman of the Board of Trustees commented, “We are all very grateful for Robert’s many contributions in creating the sustainable growth Southwest Medical Center experiences today. During this pandemic, Robert has been a dedicated and passionate leader for providing the best healthcare possible here in Seward County and the surrounding region. The board wishes to continue this positive momentum as SWMC enters into its next stage of providing excellent healthcare for the community. We thank him for his commitment and professionalism and wish him great success in his future endeavors.”
The board has begun the process of recruiting a new President and CEO for the organization and will work closely with the current senior leadership team during the interim leadership period.
SWMC’s vision is to be the medical center of choice for Southwest Kansas and the surrounding region. SWMC’s medical, clinical, and administrative staff, as well as community volunteers, are committed to their mission to care for current and future generations of individuals in the Southwest Kansas and Oklahoma Panhandle regions.
The healthcare environment and competitive marketplace are evolving rapidly. These developing changes create opportunities to better serve the community. To meet these opportunities, SWMC will continue attracting exceptional clinical and administrative providers and making significant investments in its service lines and infrastructure.
SWMC remains focused on 4 AIMs to better serve patients and the community:
Improve Patient Outcomes—We dedicate ourselves to improve patient lives through elite-level health care
Enhance the Patient Experience—We understand, listen, and heal: this is our commitment to every patient, every time
Care for the Caregiver—We nurture our work family through mutual respect, service to others, and lifting each other up
Reduce the Cost of Care—We hold ourselves accountable to be wise stewards of resources through action and integrity
“We are commencing the search for a new CEO. This search will provide us an opportunity to attract another exceptional healthcare leader,” said Mr. Schepers. “The board has full confidence in the clinical and administrative leaders to continue to build on the successes of the organization. We look forward to their leadership as we continue to enhance and expand access to SWMC’s services to meet the needs of our patients and community.”