CHI Mercy Health announced today that President and CEO Kelly Morgan will retire in early summer of 2023, according to a hospital press release. Kelly has served as Mercy’s CEO and President for the last 16 years and his career has spanned over 42 years in healthcare. Kelly’s journey in healthcare started in Roseburg at Douglas Community Hospital as an administrative resident. Little did he know he would return 25 years later to become the President and CEO at Mercy Medical Center and complete his healthcare career here in Roseburg. “I have had the privilege to lead Mercy and am proud to be part of an employee workforce that places the patient first and takes care of everyone who comes in contact with our facility," Morgan said in the press release. "It is an honor to work with our physicians and other providers that are committed to patient care and doing the right thing for our community. Working with Mercy’s Board of Directors in balancing community needs and finance is extremely rewarding. Our dedicated group of volunteers have also made all of our jobs much easier. Over the years, I have learned that the success of a hospital is all about the team of professionals. It takes the expertise of our support staff, clinical staff, physicians, management, board, volunteers and community to provide the quality of care and safety that our patients need and deserve. It has been my privilege to serve Douglas County residents in this leadership capacity for the past 16 years.” The search for a new CEO will be headed by Ketul Patel, Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and Division President, Pacific Northwest, CommonSpirit Health. “I am thankful to have worked alongside Kelly for the past several years and appreciate all he has done as President and CEO of Mercy Medical Center," Ketul said in the press release. "Throughout his leadership tenure, Kelly has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the staff and physicians at Mercy. Kelly’s unwavering dedication and service to Douglas County will leave a lasting legacy. While we will miss Kelly’s leadership presence and strong voice, I am excited for him as he transitions into this well-deserved retirement.” CHI Mercy Health Mercy Medical Center was started with a $12,000 gift from the Roseburg community. That is the sum the Sisters of Mercy raised to construct Roseburg’s first hospital. The 25-bed Mercy Hospital was dedicated on Feb. 22, 1909, just four months after construction began. It was built on the banks of the South Umpqua River where the Douglas County Health Department currently stands. CHI Mercy Health has grown into a sophisticated 174-bed medical center with advanced technology and a continuum of services to ensure Douglas County residents have access to state-of-the-art healthcare without having to leave town. Today more than 1,000 talented and dedicated employees and 100 compassionate and giving volunteers work throughout CHI Mercy Health. It is their commitment that has helped Mercy become one of the country's most highly rated hospitals for quality.