Duke Saldivar to Lead Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Springfield

He’ll be leading a team that has, on average, 15 years of experience at Mercy. It’s something that has impressed Duke Saldivar as he takes the helm as chief executive officer of Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Springfield, which is set to open this spring. “I’m excited for the opportunity to work with such an experienced group of people and be a part of our new hospital from the ground up.”

While this born-and-bred Texan is new to Springfield, he’s no novice when it comes to rehab facilities. He has more than 25 years of experience with Christus Healthcare, HCA St. David’s HealthCare and HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Austin, which achieved the number one patient satisfaction score in the nation for freestanding rehab hospitals. During Saldivar’s 16 years as director of rehabilitation services for St. David’s, that facility also built a new rehabilitation hospital.

Here in Springfield, Saldivar plans to put patient satisfaction first. “It’s important to get to know our patients and their families,” he said. “Our senior team will visit a group of patient rooms every day. We’ll go from room to room, and afterward, send out updates to our staff with action items that are needed, or commend co-workers for positive feedback we receive.”

Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Springfield is set to open in April 2014. The $28 million, 63,000 square foot facility will have 60 beds and provide inpatient rehabilitation for patients who are recovering from strokes, brain or spinal cord injuries, amputations, complex orthopedic injuries and other conditions. It is a partnership between Mercy and Centerre Healthcare Corporation, a national leader in the development and operation of rehabilitation hospitals. Centerre has partnered with Mercy for similar projects in St. Louis and Oklahoma City.

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