Northwest Health appoints Rick Naegler as market CEO

Rick Naegler has been named market CEO of Springdale-based healthcare provider Northwest Health and CEO of Northwest Medical Center-Springdale, according to a Wednesday (July 12) news release.

Naegler replaces former CEO Chris York, who returned to Dallas in the spring. Naegler starts at Northwest Health on Aug. 14.

Naegler is the CEO of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Under his leadership, according to the release, the 410-bed hospital has increased patient satisfaction and market share in all service lines. Also, the hospital recruited numerous specialists and created registered nurse and internal medicine residency programs.

Naegler started his career as a flight nurse and has a clinical background as a registered nurse and chief nursing officer. Before joining Poplar Bluff, he was CEO at Lake City Medical Center in Lake City, Fla., where he also was chief nursing officer. He previously was the chief nursing officer at hospitals in Dallas and Kissimmee, Fla.

He earned a nursing degree at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. He earned a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management and a master’s degree in healthcare administration at Bellevue University in Bellevue, Neb.

“Rick’s leadership, coupled with his extensive clinical background, made him the ideal choice to lead Northwest Health and Northwest Medical Center-Springdale,” said Robert Petrino, chair of the Northwest Medical Center Board. “We welcome Rick and look forward to working with him.”

Northwest Health operates two standalone emergency departments and five hospitals in Northwest Arkansas, comprising a combined 507 beds, more than 800 physicians and over 2,200 employees.