Taylor named 'CEO to Know'

GRAVETTE -- Paul Taylor, CEO of Ozarks Community Hospital, has been named one of the "50 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know" by Becker's Hospital Review.

This recognition features CEOs and administrators of hospitals dedicated to advancing healthcare in small towns and rural communities.

The OCH health system is a regional safety-net healthcare provider serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Ozarks. Over the past year, OCH has aggressively expanded its focus to increase primary care access and integrated behavioral health services to rural areas around the region, including the addition of two rural clinics in the fourth quarter of 2015. The OCH hospital system continues to emphasize growth with future plans to expand rurally in coming years.

"Paul is very deserving of this recognition. His passion for healthcare has made the OCH health system what it is today," says Andrea Harp, communications manager. "In 1999, Paul envisioned a health system that could offer compassionate care and continued access to the underserved community. Fifteen years later, his vision has grown to encompass more than 800 employees and 100 healthcare providers who also share this same heart and mission."

According to Becker's Hospital Review, "Mr. Taylor's unorthodox journey to the helm of 45-bed Ozarks Community Hospital began with his degree in English literature from Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., and his master's degree in literature from University of Missouri at Columbia. He started coursework for a doctorate in literature and switched courses midway to enter law school. In 1987, Mr. Taylor started practicing private law. He was named CEO of Ozarks Community Hospital in 2000."

The OCH health system encompasses two hospitals and 17 clinics located throughout Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas, with locations in the following communities: Springfield, Nixa, Webb City, Carthage, Marshfield, Noel, Bolivar, Rogersville, Sparta and Mt. Vernon, Mo., and Gravette. OCH can accept Medicaid, Medicare, UHC Military and other insurances. For more information, visit www.OCHonline.com.