#United States #St. Louis #Mercy Health #Stephanie Clements #Nurse Executive

Stephanie Clements Takes the Lead at Mercy as Chief Nurse Executive

In an exciting development for the healthcare industry, Mercy has named Stephanie Clements as its new Chief Nurse Executive (CNE). Stephanie has a long history of leadership and dedication to nursing, bringing over two decades of experience in health systems across multiple states to her new role. Previously, she served as a vice president at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City.

Clements expresses her enthusiasm for her new position, stating, "It's a humbling and exciting opportunity to lead the most compassionate and dedicated group of nurses I've ever worked with." Her role will be pivotal, as she will not only focus on Mercy’s hospitals in St. Louis but also across its expansive multi-state footprint. With over 15,000 nurses under her leadership, her commitment to nurturing the nursing staff is clear. "Nurses are the lifeblood of every hospital and clinic, and the work they do makes all the difference in the overall patient experience," she emphasized.

As the previous community chief nursing officer in Oklahoma, Clements provided strategic oversight for more than 2,400 nurses within Mercy hospitals, and now she steps into a position that gives her even broader responsibilities. Dr. John Mohart, Mercy’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, highlighted Clements’ extensive experience and dedication to the organization’s mission: "Her background as an evidence-based bedside nurse informs every operational and strategic decision she makes, ensuring that our nursing practices remain at the forefront of excellence."

Stephanie's journey began in 1994 as a registered labor and delivery nurse in Texas. Since then, she has accumulated a wealth of experience, including roles in outpatient infusion, perioperative services, neonatal intensive care, and medical-surgical nursing. Her ascent in nursing leadership has seen her occupy every position from floor nurse to chief nursing officer, providing her with a comprehensive view of nursing operations.

Before joining Mercy last year, Clements demonstrated her leadership capabilities as CEO of Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. Her experiences have equipped her with a unique understanding of the challenges and intricacies involved in patient care and nurse management.

Clements, alongside her husband Scott, is a proud parent of two grown sons. When she isn’t focusing on her professional commitments, she enjoys spending quality time with her grandsons, going for walks with their dog Jet, and appreciating the great outdoors.

About Mercy

Mercy is one of the largest health systems in the U.S. and has been recognized as the top large system for patient experience by NRC Health. Each year, Mercy serves millions with specialized care that spans across its 50 hospitals, numerous urgent care locations, imaging centers, and pharmacies. Roughly over 50,000 employees, including 5,000 physicians and advanced practitioners, work tirelessly to provide high-quality healthcare across five states. In the previous fiscal year alone, Mercy contributed over half a billion dollars in free care and community services, asserting their commitment to healthcare excellence and accessibility.

As Clements steps into her new role, the future of Mercy looks promising, with a focus on enhancing the quality of care and ensuring that nursing staff have the resources necessary to excel. Her passionate approach is anticipated to yield positive changes for patients and caregivers alike as she begins this significant chapter of her career.