FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Barb Meyer, Sisters of Mercy Health System, (314) 628-3633
Nancy Woodard, Mercy Health System of Oklahoma, (405) 752-3757

MERCY CEO TO HEAD INDIANA HEALTH SYSTEM

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 28, 2006) – Michael J. Packnett, president and chief executive officer of Mercy Health System of Oklahoma and Mercy Health Center, Oklahoma City, has announced his plans to accept the position of president and CEO of Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Packnett, who has served as Mercy president/CEO since February 1999, will leave at the end of April.

“While this was a difficult decision to make, it represents several new opportunities for me. Parkview Health includes seven hospitals, an integrated medical group and other health services, and is the leading healthcare provider in northeast Indiana,” Packnett stated. “It has been an honor and my pleasure to serve with Mercy and many of you throughout Oklahoma over the past seven years.”

“The Sisters of Mercy Health System and our health facilities and services in Oklahoma have benefited greatly from Mike Packnett’s leadership over the years. We thank him for his service to the Sisters of Mercy’s health ministry, and we wish Mike and his family continued success and happiness in the future,” said Ron Ashworth, president and CEO of the Sisters of Mercy Health System, which sponsors Mercy Health System of Oklahoma.

The Sisters of Mercy Health System will begin a search to identify a new CEO for Mercy Health System of Oklahoma and Mercy Health Center. Interim leadership will be named prior to May 1. “With the support of the Mercy–Oklahoma leadership team, we anticipate continued progress of all plans and activities currently underway,” said Ashworth.

Mercy Health System of Oklahoma includes Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City, Mercy Memorial Health Center in Ardmore, and Mercy Health Network, a group of integrated primary care physicians clinics serving the Oklahoma City area. In partnership with Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates, Mercy Health System of Oklahoma co-sponsors Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City.

 

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The Sisters of Mercy Health System (Mercy) operates hospitals, physician practices, outpatient clinics, health plans and related health and human services in a seven state area including Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Its members include 18 acute care hospitals providing more than 4,000 licensed beds, a heart hospital, a managed care subsidiary (Mercy Health Plans), physician practices, outpatient care facilities, home health programs, skilled nursing services and long-term care facilities. Services are provided by approximately 26,000 co-workers and 3,100 physicians who are employed or practice at Mercy facilities. Mercy is the ninth largest Catholic healthcare system in the United States based on net patient service revenue and is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy–St. Louis Regional Community.

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