Mercy Medical Center in Canton has named a new leader to oversee the Canton facility’s finances.
David K. Stewart, 44, of Jackson Township became the nonprofit hospital’s new senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective last week.
He replaces Mike Rieger, who retired from the organization on Friday after more than 33 years of service.
For Stewart, the new job is a return to his roots.
Stewart started his career in hospital finance as a financial analyst at Mercy after graduating in 1990 from Miami University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
He then had roles of increasing responsibility with the Columbia HCA Ohio division in Cleveland, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland and St. John Medical Center in Westlake.
He most recently served as senior vice president and chief financial officer for Providence Hospital in Columbia, S.C. Providence and Mercy both are owned by the Sisters of Charity Health System.
“We are pleased David agreed to become a part of our management team at Mercy Medical Center,” Thomas E. Cecconi, Mercy’s president and chief executive, said in a news release. “With 23 years of financial management and leadership experience at Sisters of Charity Health System hospitals, David has proven he understands the importance of continuing our mission through strong fiscal leadership.”
In his new role, Stewart will oversee finances at the 476-bed Mercy, which generates about $300 million in revenues annually.
Stewart earned his MBA from the University of Phoenix. He is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Keep kids safe
A national effort led by Ohio’s pediatric hospitals is trying to spread the word about ways families can improve safety for hospitalized children.
The Ohio Children’s Hospitals’ Solutions for Patient Center is working with more than 70 hospitals nationwide to reduce serious harm, readmissions and other serious safety events.
The organization joined with the Children’s Hospital Association this week during National Patient Safety Awareness Week to issue these tips for parents with children in the hospital:
• Be an advocate for your child. Ask questions and request caregivers double-check the charts.
• Wash your hands — and make sure others wash theirs. Wash your hands and your child’s hands when entering and leaving the hospital, the patient room or any treatment areas. Remind doctors and nurses to wash their hands if necessary.
• Stay clean and dry. Keep the skin around the dressing for an intravenous catheter clean and dry. Let a hospital caregiver know if the dressing gets wet or becomes loose.
• Know your child’s medications. Ask for a list of the drugs your child is receiving and purpose for each medicine. If you don’t see caregivers checking your child’s identification band before administering a medication, ask staff to double-check.
• Be prepared to go home. Make sure to get a list of medications and treatments your son or daughter will need after discharge. Ask which doctor to call if there are any questions at home.
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.