FORT SMITH - Mercy’s own Juli Stec has been named chief operating officer for Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. Hospital President Ryan Gehrig announced Stec’s appointment in a memo to co-workers.

Stec has served for seven years as the executive director of post acute services, which includes oversight of the 42-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility, the 10-bed sleep disorder center, acute and outpatient therapy services and wound care services. In her role as chief operating officer, Stec will oversee the fully integrated service line of cardiology services in a dyad relationship with Mercy Clinic Chief Operating Officer Amy Fore.  Stec also will oversee oncology services, lab, environmental services, facilities, security, food & nutrition, wound care, rehabilitation services, home based services, the sleep disorder center and the Regional Critical Access Facilities in Ozark, Paris, Booneville and Waldron.

Stec received her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from University of Arkansas - Fayetteville. She has worked in healthcare for more than 30 years with the past 26 years being in the Fort Smith area. Prior to joining Mercy, she served eight years as the chief executive officer of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Fort Smith.