Mercy Hospital Joplin Welcomes Sam Atkinson as New Chief Operating Officer

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Mercy Hospital Joplin Welcomes Sam Atkinson as New Chief Operating Officer

Mercy welcomes Samuel Atkinson as Mercy Joplin’s chief operating officer.

Atkinson brings extensive experience as a healthcare leader. Since joining Mercy in 2018, he has served in Springfield and St. Louis as practice manager and executive director of operational strategy and excellence, where he has overseen improvements in care access. He has a history of uniting teams, navigating challenges with confidence and delivering measurable results through innovation, disciplined practices and a shared sense of purpose.

“I believe exceptional patient care begins with supporting the physicians, advanced practice providers and caregivers who deliver it every day,” Atkinson said. “I’m committed to fostering a culture of trust, collaboration and continuous improvement by listening to those closest to the work, removing barriers and equipping teams to deliver high-quality care. I am honored to join the Joplin community and humbled by the opportunity to build upon Mercy Joplin’s strong legacy of compassionate care.”

Atkinson earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health and administrative management from Missouri State University. He is passionate about giving back to the communities he lives in, having served as a member or board representative of the Community Partnership of the Ozarks, its Young Professional Advisory Council, the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the Equity & Prosperity Commission.

Outside of work, Sam enjoys staying active, spending time on the golf course and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals. He looks forward to becoming an active member of the Joplin community and building lasting relationships with caregivers, patients and other community institutions.

“Sam is an ideal fit for this role at Mercy Joplin, and we’re thrilled to have him,” said Jeffrey Carrier, president of Mercy Joplin Communities. “His last few years have been full of advancements well-earned through the improved care provided by his teams. He has a clear passion for servant leadership, and I can’t wait to watch him continue to grow as a leader in this role at Mercy Joplin.”

Mercy, one of the 15 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized care and one of the nation’s largest and highest performing Accountable Care Organizations in quality and cost. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including 55 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has over 1,000 physician practice locations and outpatient facilities, more than 5,000 physicians and advanced practitioners and more than 50,000 caregivers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In fiscal year 2025 alone, Mercy provided more than half a billion dollars of free care and other community benefits, including traditional charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid.