Columbus Community Hospital Announces Dr. Mark Howerter As Its First Chief Medical Officer

Columbus Community Hospital is announcing a new position on the senior administrative team. Mark Howerter, MD, has been named the hospital's first chief medical officer (CMO). This new position, which has become common to hospitals and medical staff, creates physician representation on the senior leadership team.

"Dr. Howerter brings a wealth of experience to the position," said Mike Hansen, president and CEO of Columbus Community Hospital. "He has been an integral member of our hospital's medical staff for many years. Throughout his career, he's worked to grow health care services in our area and enhance the patient experience. We are very fortunate to have him as part of our organization and look forward to working closely with him as a member of our leadership team."

The new CMO will have a wide variety of responsibilities that focus on aligning medical staff and hospital visions and ensuring quality patient care remains at the forefront.

"A hospital of our size deserves physician representation and vision at the senior leadership level," Howerter said. "I am humbled to take on the role as our inaugural CMO."

Dr. Howerter has served as the emergency department medical director since 2004. Under his leadership, the department has been a model of stability and growth. He has overseen multiple initiatives, including state Level III trauma designation, pending stroke center designation and enhanced heart attack care in our hospital. He teamed with Amy Blaser, VP of business development and physician relations, to help develop the new cardiac catheterization lab and hospital-based cardiology program, which now serves our community 24/7/365.

In addition to his work in the emergency department, Dr. Howerter has served as past medical staff president and medical director for most rescue squads in our area, and has been a constant member of a variety of quality committees over the last 19 years.

"I bring the same core values that I have had in the emergency department - honesty, integrity and accountability," said Howerter. "Central to all those values throughout my career remains patient care. My responsibilities will be threefold - to the leadership team, the medical staff and those who find themselves as patients in our community."

To learn more about Columbus Community Hospital, visit columbushosp.org.