Quick Facts:
Springfield
Two doctors from Mercy Springfield Hospital earned national recognition this month when Newsweek announced its 2025 list of America’s Leading Doctors. Dr. Robert B. Jones was named for hip surgery, and Dr. Peter Crites was named for shoulder surgery.
The list recognizes 2,845 medical specialists across 15 specialties including cardiothoracic, cataract, colorectal, foot & ankle, glaucoma, hand, hip, knee, retina, shoulder, spine and vascular surgery, sports medicine and pain management.
The list recognizes 2,845 medical specialists across 15 specialties including cardiothoracic, cataract, colorectal, foot & ankle, glaucoma, hand, hip, knee, retina, shoulder, spine and vascular surgery, sports medicine and pain management.
To create the list of top doctors, Newsweek and global data intelligence firm Statista reviewed four data sources:
- Doctor performance data: Analysis of 2022-2023 performance benchmark data based on Medicare Fee-for-Service claims and commercial data sourced from Arcadia
- Online survey by state: Online survey of thousands of medical experts (doctors, managers/ administrators and other medical professionals) across 20 states with knowledge in the respective medical field
- Quality Score: Quality of care rating by peers
- Certifications: Certifications from several American medical and surgical certification boards
As Newsweek reported when the list went live, “From mobility-enhancing joint surgeries to sight-restoring eye procedures and lifesaving vascular operations, the doctors recognized in this year’s ranking represent the pinnacle of specialized medical care in the U.S.”
“To have two of our orthopedic surgeons on this list is one more testament to the incredible level of care our team provides,” said Chelsea Heilman, vice president of patient services for Mercy Springfield Communities. “The level of care our orthopedic hospital provides is usually only found in larger cities, which is why we’ve become such a medical destination for this region.”
Dr. Jones and Dr. Crites were the only physicians in Springfield on the list of America’s Leading Doctors. Crites joined Mercy in 2003. His leadership within Mercy Springfield’s orthopedic program helped him become chief physician executive for orthopedics and sports medicine for the entire Mercy system earlier this year.
“What’s exciting now isn’t just one new procedure. It’s that Mercy is at the forefront of robotics, artificial intelligence and outcome measurement,” Dr. Crites said. “We’re using data and technology to improve planning, accuracy, recovery and long-term results for our patients.”
Dr. Crites also said that while he and Dr. Jones were the only two Springfield physicians named on the 2025 list, their recognition reflects a team effort. “This recognition isn’t about me. It’s about a team that shows up every day and a hospital that gives us the tools to do the job right,” he said. “Many across our program are equally deserving of recognition for the exceptional care they provide.”
Dr. Crites pointed out that the hospital has progressed over time. “We’ve grown from a group of generalists who all did a little of everything to a subspecialized program with comprehensive offerings. Mercy Springfield has built and maintained a world-class orthopedic hospital, and our teams have leaned into it. I’m confident our program will continue raising the bar on quality and outcomes for years to come.”
