Barrett Retires After 18 Years with Mercy

Susan Barrett, president of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas since 1999, announced she will retire effective Dec. 31.

“For many years Susan has been the face of Mercy to the residents of Northwest Arkansas, and we join the Sisters of Mercy Health System in congratulating her as she announces her plans to retire,” said Paul Bergant, board chair, Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas, and executive vice president at J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.

“During her tenure, Susan provided leadership in realizing two significant goals: the construction of the new Mercy medical campus and more recently, finalizing an appropriate use of the old St. Mary’s Hospital facility, which will continue to meet community needs as a center for non-profit organizations. For these and other achievements, we thank Susan for her vision and her leadership.”

Barrett, among her many contributions, recently saw to completion the monumental move from the old St. Mary’s Hospital to the new, 350,000-SF, $145 million Mercy Medical Center at Pinnacle Hills in Rogers.

The new Mercy Medical Center, thanks to its environmentally sensitive design and features like digital recordkeeping, was named the area’s “Greenest Office” by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal in July.

“Susan was fond of reminding those within the organization that as we performed the mission of Mercy we stood on the shoulders of the Sisters of Mercy who went before us,” said Sr. Anita DeSalvo, a Sister of Mercy. “Now, as we carry on that mission in Northwest Arkansas, those shoulders include Susan and the legacy of servant leadership she has left us. She touched the lives of many co-workers, physicians, volunteers, patients and community members in the process, and is leaving Mercy in a better position than when she arrived.”