St. John's new CEO says the Springfield hospital will face many challenges as a result of the Affordable Care Act ... like changes in Medicare reimbursement -- which now rewards keeping patients out of hospitals.
Dr. Charles Lucore's appointment was announced Thursday.
"It's a time where we really have to reach out to nurses, physicians and other ancillary healthcare providers to help them deal with the challenges. I think I'm in a position to do that. This is not the first cycle of healthcare reform. In fact, in my 30 year career, this is the fourth I've been through," Lucore said.
Lucore has been executive director of the Prairie Heart Institute since 2009. He officially starts in April.
