CHI St. Vincent on Monday welcomed Dr. Doug Ross as the new president of its Hot Springs market, which includes the hospital he considers his home.
"I've lived in Arkansas since I was in high school, so I wasn't born here, but I call Arkansas home. I married an Arkansas girl, so this is my home state," he said.
"I came here in 2003 as an emergency medicine physician; that's my scope of training. Then God's just blessed me by opening up some doors into leadership and four years ago I was named vice president of medical affairs for this building."
A year ago, Ross said he was named chief medical officer of the CHI St. Vincent health system, overseeing the medical services across four hospitals and more than 70 clinics in Arkansas.
"I'm continuing that role as chief medical officer of this system, but I'm also assuming the role of president of the Hot Springs market -- this facility and all of our clinics across Hot Springs," he said.
Ross said he is "honored and blessed" for the opportunity to serve as CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs' chief administrator for two reasons.
"First is to build on the foundation that we have in this community around our mission," he said. "I truly believe that my work is part of my ministry as we are an extension of the healing hands of Jesus Christ. It's exciting to continue that work across the communities we serve.
"I think also what excites me is to be able to continue to work with our people. Our doctors, our nurses, our health care professionals really are the ones that every day answer the call to meet the needs of our patients and deliver excellent and compassionate care. To be able to continue to work with the foundation of our people and our mission, and really to be able to continue to grow that across our community and across southwest Arkansas is very exciting."
What he said he hopes the community understands is under his leadership, CHI St. Vincent's Hot Springs market will continue its commitment to excellence "because our patients deserve the highest quality care and the highest safety."
"Every person that walks through these doors will feel that and understand the importance of our mission here in this community," he said. "I think that's the commitment that I give to this community."
Ross' appointment as president follows the departure of Anthony Houston who recently accepted a position as chief operating officer of the group's sister hospital, CHI Memorial in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Ross has been married to his wife, Jenny, for 20 years, and has three children, Noah, Emma and William.
Local on 01/15/2019