Southwest Medical Center Announced the Addition of Two New Senior Leaders

Southwest Medical Center announced the addition of two new senior leaders this month in the hospital’s Operations division.

Robert Whitaker joined the leadership team of Southwest Medical Center as Vice-President of Operations and Business Development mid-August. Robert brings a successful track record with more than 11 years of experience in operations and finance management from various acute care hospitals, as well as larger health systems. Robert is relocating to Liberal with his wife, Amy, and five children from Las Vegas, where he recently worked as an associate administrator for a 190-bed hospital. Robert also served in the US Marine Corps Reserve for eight years, obtaining a rank of E-5. He earned his B.S. of Industrial Engineering from the University of Houston and his Master of Public Health degree from Yale University. Robert and his family are excited to join SWMC and the Liberal community.

Mark Cowan, RRT, RPSGT, RST, CPM, has stepped into a new position as Assistant Vice-President of Operations and Business Development at SWMC. Cowan had formerly served as Interim VP of Operations while also directing the Respiratory Therapy, Sleep Lab, and Cardiac Rehabilitation services. He began employment at Southwest Medical Center more than 23 years ago, starting as a respiratory therapy student in October 1991. Cowan brings experience in implementing and directing several successful clinical support services during his time at SWMC. He graduated from Seward County Community College with an Associates of Applied Science in Respiratory Care, and from the Kansas University Certified Public Manager program. Cowan is currently earning his B.S. in Business Administration with a focus in healthcare administration from Tabor College. Mark and his wife of 25 years, Melissa, have a son attending SCCC/ATS and a 10-month-old grandson.

Together, both leaders will oversee ancillary departments throughout the hospital, as well as SWMC’s Southwest Professional Physicians Clinics. Cowan and Whitaker join the administrative team of President and CEO, Bill Ermann; Vice-President of Patient Care, Jo Harrison, RN; and Vice-President of Finance, Amber Williams.