Executive Summary: Slowing down, listening a part of Gehrig’s leadership

Editor’s note: The Fort Smith Metro Daily News Executive Summary series is focused on looking under the title, so to speak, of a business, government, and non-profit executive in the Fort Smith metro.

Ryan Gehrig is president of Mercy Fort Smith Communities. He leads operations and strategy for Mercy’s hospitals and clinics across the Fort Smith region. For 3½ years, he served as president of Mercy Arkansas Communities, overseeing Mercy’s vast growth and development throughout the state, before returning to serve as Mercy Fort Smith president full time in December 2025.

Gehrig first came to Mercy as president of Mercy Hospital Fort Smith in April 2012. Before Mercy, he served as chief administrative officer for Moore Medical Center and vice president of enterprise systems for Norman Regional Health System in Oklahoma.

Gehrig is on several boards including Arkansas Hospital Association, First Bank Corp. and First National Bank, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Foundation and Subiaco Academy Board of Trustees. Gehrig also is a founding Honorary Commander for the 85th Fighter Group.

He graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science, and received a master’s degree in health care administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Gehrig and his wife, Kristen, have three children, Alyssa, Drew and Anna.

• What was your first job and what did it teach you?
I worked as a sanitation worker for the city of Muenster, Texas, the summer after my freshman year in high school. It was great introduction to working hard, showing up on time and reinforced my desire to do well in school.

• What is a principle or value on which you never compromise?
I strive to treat others as I would want to be treated.

• What is one belief you held strongly 10+ years ago that you’ve changed your mind about?
Early in my career, I was reactionary, controlling and hard charging. I better recognize God has a plan and you sometimes need to slow down, listen, and spend time in reflection to better understand His plan.

• If you could change one thing about the Fort Smith metro, what would it be?
Continued investments in projects that promote movement and healthy lifestyles as well as beautification projects that enhance the incredible settings around us. Fort Smith has made significant progress since we arrived 14 years ago and I hope those efforts continue.

• What seemingly small thing had a big impact on your life?
In January 2000, I decided to take a hastily planned road trip to Stillwater, Okla., with some buddies and I ended up meeting my future wife.

• What about you would surprise most people?
I have a brother named Lou, so when asked if we are related to Lou Gehrig, the answer is always, “Yes.”

• What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever made?
Terminating employment of hard-working, committed coworkers is always painful.

• If you were able to get one piece of legislation through the U.S. Congress and signed into law, what would it be?
We need a more effective and streamlined process for allowing people into our country who want to better their lives and strengthen our country in the process. Also, we should standardize the area wage index used to set Medicare and many insurance rates so that we level the playing field across the country when it comes to paying competitive wages, attracting top talent and the ability to afford latest technologies.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUBJECTS
Following are the links to previous posts in the Executive Summary series.
ArcBest Chair and CEO Judy McReynolds
Fort Smith Mayor George McGill
BHC President and CEO Marty Clark
Maryl Koeth Purvis, director of the Van Buren Advertising and Promotion Commission
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley
Fort Smith Public Library Director Jennifer Goodson
Bill Hanna, president, CEO, board chairman, Hanna Oil & Gas
Rodney Shepard, regional executive for Arvest Bank’s southwest region
Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker
Dr. Sandy Johnson, co-founder of Johnson Dermatology
Kyle Parker, president and CEO, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Melissa Curry, CEO, Methodist Village Senior Living
Michael Barr, president, Fort Smith-based WeatherBarr Windows and Doors
Sebastian County Judge Steve Hotz
Julie Murray, president and CEO, Van Buren Chamber of Commerce
John Jeter, music director and conductor with the Fort Smith Symphony